Gather to game: American Eagle champions gamers in KSA

On 13 February, Dazed MENA and American Eagle bring gaming off the screen and into the city with a one-night event in Riyadh that places community, identity and play at its core. Hosted at BeastHouse from 8pm to 12am, the Gather to Game is rooted in Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing gaming ecosystem, one shaped not just by competition, but by connection, and community.

Saudi Arabia’s gaming scene has evolved into a defining youth movement. What began online has grown into a shared language, one that informs how people dress, communicate and find belonging. This event, presented by Dazed MENA in collaboration with American Eagle, is designed to reflect that reality, positioning gaming as a lived culture rather than a niche pastime.

At the heart of the evening is a panel talk led by members of Team Falcons, one of the Kingdom’s most influential esports teams. Joining them will be fellow gamer Meshael, footballer Omar Al Somah, offering insight into how gaming has transformed from IRL to online landscapes. The conversation will explore how gaming communities in KSA have become spaces for self-expression and collective identity. Topics will range from the social impact of gaming culture in the Gulf to its role in shaping creativity and new forms of participation for young people today.

Guiding the discussion are popular hosts Maryam Raffi and Saif Al Turki, whose familiarity with youth culture and media landscapes brings both accessibility and insight to the conversation. Together, they will steer an open dialogue between players and audiences, reflecting the collaborative spirit that defines gaming communities in Riyadh.

Following the panel, the event shifts into a live gaming session, inviting attendees to play alongside the talent in real time. This interactive element reinforces the event’s central idea: gaming as a shared experience. One that collapses the distance between creator and audience, online and offline, spectator and participant.

By anchoring the programme in local voices and lived experiences, the event reflects how gaming operates in Saudi Arabia today. As a cultural force, a social connector and a creative outlet that continues to shape how a generation expresses itself, both online and IRL.

The Riyadh launch takes place on 13 February, from 8pm to 12am, at BeastHouse, bringing together players, fans and cultural voices for an evening that celebrates gaming as one of the Kingdom’s most dynamic youth movements.