Pixel P&L: Mastercard Deepens Stake in Saudi Esports With 2025 World Cup Renewal

Welcome to another Pixel P&L edition. This issue takes 5 minutes to read. If you only have one, here are the 4 most important things:

• Mastercard doubles down on Saudi esports with renewed Esports World Cup sponsorship.

• GosuGamers pivots from media to funding with new tournament grants targeting the Philippines and India.

• Moon Active directly challenges Scopely's $5B hit with Coin Master board game clone.

• Mumbai's anime convention will feature Attack on Titan director and major Japanese studios.

Let's get into it.

Mastercard Extends Esports World Cup Partnership in Riyadh

Mastercard renewed its sponsorship deal with the Esports World Cup Foundation for the 2025 tournament, as the payments company continues betting on the growing gaming market in Saudi Arabia.

The partnership, with undisclosed financial terms, makes Mastercard the "official event supplier" for the seven-week competition running through Aug. 24 in Riyadh. The tournament features a $70 million prize pool funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

Under the deal, Mastercard will handle payment processing and create branded activations at the venue. The company is also partnering with G2 Esports on a mentorship program for aspiring esports professionals, with players participating in promotional events.

The renewed partnership follows a string of corporate deals announced this month, including agreements with IMG, Spotify, Lenovo and telecommunications company stc Group. The tournament is operated by ESL FACEIT Group, a subsidiary of Saudi government-owned Savvy Games Group.

The esports push represents part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative to diversify its oil-dependent economy and develop new entertainment sectors.

GosuGamers Expands Into Tournament Funding With Asia-Focused Grants

Gaming media company GosuGamers is entering the tournament funding space with a new grant programme targeting local tournament organizers in the Philippines and India.

The programme offers up to $400 per tournament through GosuGamers' platform, GosuBattles, marking the company's shift from pure media coverage into direct industry investment. The grant is aimed towards student groups and tournament organizers seeking funding for prize pools, equipment and marketing.

Grant amounts depend on tournament size and participant numbers, with applications required two months in advance. The initiative currently restricts eligibility to the two Asian markets mentioned above, though GosuGamers suggests potential expansion in the future.

"This initiative gives local organisers the funding, tools and visibility to bring their tournaments to life," said Bryan Huang, the company's Director of Growth and Strategy.

Quick Bytes

Moon Active Challenges Scopely With Monopoly Go Clone

Moon Active has soft-launched Coin Master - Board Adventure in the Philippines, directly competing against Scopely's $5 billion hit Monopoly Go. The title adds board-game mechanics to Moon Active's original Coin Master franchise, which launched in 2010. It marks the first major expansion of the Coin Master IP since spin-off Pet Master failed. Moon Active faces an uphill battle against Monopoly Go's dominance in the board-game mobile genre.

Mumbai Anime Convention Draws Japanese Industry Figures

A three-day anime convention in Mumbai will draw prominent Japanese industry figures next month, reflecting growing commercial interest in India's animation market. The August 22-24 Anime India event at NESCO Bombay Exhibition Centre will feature directors including Tetsuro Araki of "Attack on Titan" and executives from Avex Pictures and The Pokémon Company. Programming includes industry panels, merchandise sales and cosplay contests, with tickets priced between INR 199 and INR 1,499.

⚔️Side Quest

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💡Did You Know

In Japan, there's a phenomenon called "Sazae-san syndrome" named after the beloved animated series that has aired every Sunday at 6:30 PM since 1969. As the show's cheerful ending theme plays, many Japanese viewers experience a wave of melancholy, not because the show is sad, but because it signals the weekend's end and Monday's approach. This weekly ritual of bittersweet nostalgia has become so common that it earned its own name.

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