For esport, 2024 was a historic year with record-breaking achievements and a resolute dedication to inclusivity. The unprecedented 130 member federations that competed in the 16th World Esports Championship (WEC24) demonstrated the sport’s explosive international expansion.
With the debut of the first MLBB Women’s competition and the addition of two women’s categories, CS2 Women, inclusivity took center stage at WEC24. These competitions demonstrated the tremendous skill of female esport players and the significance of representation. The passionate audience helped to strengthen the movement for an inclusive and diverse esports scene.
In 2024, Casablanca, Morocco hosted the first significant offline event on the continent, the historic African Esports Championship. Top African talent was assembled for this competition, which paved the way for future regional development. It marked a major advancement in the International Esports Federation’s (IESF) goal of making esport more widely known throughout the world.
WEC24, which took place in Riyadh, included the world’s best esports tournament. High-stakes competitions between athletes from around the world resulted in Indonesia winning the title of Overall Champion after dominating several game championships.
Riyadh also hosted the 16th Ordinary General Meeting (OGM), attended by over 150 delegates. This year’s elections introduced a fully elected Executive Board, reinforcing IESF’s dedication to transparency and inclusive leadership.
The year concluded with the World Esports Summit 2024 in Busan, featuring discussions on critical topics, initiatives like the Referee Academy, and recognition of Indonesia as the National Federation of the Year.
With 146 member federations, 2024 was a year of progress and unification for the IESF family. The goal of creating a more robust and welcoming global community is still the key focus as esport develops. By working together, the esports industry is expected to grow even more in 2025.