The Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports Winter Split of the 2022/23 season has successfully wrapped up, witnessing participation from over 1,300 students across more than 50 universities. They competed for a substantial prize pool of $12,500, engaging weekly in a blend of community spirit and competitive fervor. A diverse array of games were featured, including League of Legends, VALORANT, Rocket League, Overwatch 2, Rainbow Six Siege, FIFA 24, and Super Smash Bros.
Beyond gaming battles, this initiative also encompasses in-person events and educational programs, offering students a pathway into the burgeoning esports sector.
Winner Highlights
In Riot Games’ competitions, ‘Kamikaze UAE’ clinched the League of Legends title. This team included students from the Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai, Higher Colleges of Technology, United Arab Emirates University, and the American University of Sharjah. ‘PifthePaf’ emerged victorious in VALORANT, composed of students from Rabdan Academy, Ajman University, Heriot-Watt University, Dubai’s University of Wollongong, and Zayed University.
These champions and runners-up will represent the UAE at the Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports Masters MENA Series, a prestigious live event featuring top university teams from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco.
Additionally, community tournaments in Rocket League, Overwatch 2, Rainbow Six Siege, FC 24, and Super Smash Bros were organized.
Offline Engagement
Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports transcends online gaming, focusing on youth engagement through the UNIVERSITY Tour. This physical event series introduces young people to the esports ecosystem. For its second season in a row, the UNIVERSITY Tour is taking place in the UAE, having visited the Canadian University Dubai and the University of Wollongong in Dubai in the first split. The tour will continue to more universities in the second split.
Esports Growth in the UAE
In partnership with MENA Tech, Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports recognizes the UAE’s significant potential in gaming and esports. In 2022, the MENA region saw a 6% increase in gaming revenue, reaching $6.8 billion. The UAE’s gaming boom is underscored by its young demographic, with the highest global rate of adult gamers (90%) and 23% engaging in over 11 hours of gaming weekly. Initiatives like ADGaming in Abu Dhabi have cultivated a vibrant local scene, with the city housing over 70 game developers and esports teams, and expectations for further growth.
Supporting Student Esports
Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports is powered by support from major publishers like Riot Games, Ubisoft, Shahid, and Deliveroo.
Looking Ahead
Registrations for the upcoming split qualifiers are now open. The program also includes special activities during Ramadan, scheduled for March and April. For more details, visit Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports’ social media and website.
