My Experience as a Player Hospitality Specialist at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh

Two weeks before the Esports World Cup, I was given the opportunity to work as a player hospitality specialist. This was my first time in such a role, and I felt both excited to explore a new field in esports and nervous about the challenges ahead.

I arrived in Riyadh a few days before the official opening. At the airport, my future colleagues welcomed both the players and staff, making a great first impression. We were then taken to the hotel in transportation arranged by the event, ensuring that everyone, from players to staff, felt well cared for.

At the hotel, I met the team I’d be working with for the next two weeks. I didn’t know anyone beforehand, but I was lucky enough to meet amazing people throughout the event. Despite my initial nerves, I quickly found my footing.

During the first two weeks, I worked with my colleagues on the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament. The first 2-3 days were particularly challenging for me, not because of a lack of experience but due to my sun allergy, Riyadh's heat was intense! Nonetheless, I pushed through, determined to give my best to support the event and my colleagues. One highlight was meeting a Turkish team; I had previously met with their manager when I was working for Alliance, which made the connection even more special. After those initial days, my confidence grew. My seniors and leads taught me everything I needed to know, and I quickly became a helpful asset to the team.

In the third week, I worked on the PUBG: Mobile tournament. The scale was larger—more teams, players, and a tighter schedule—so the stakes felt higher. With limited resources, we had to support more people, but our team did an excellent job, and we finished the event smoothly. I also met two Turkish teams, expanding my network further.

The fourth and my final week brought another team reshuffle, and this time I worked on the Apex Legends tournament. The stage was huge, and the competition fierce, but by this time, I was fully confident in my role. It was particularly satisfying to reconnect with people I knew from Alliance and meet others from across the globe—North and South America, Europe, and beyond.

Leaving the event early was bittersweet, but I felt proud of what I’d accomplished. This four-week journey allowed me to build connections, gain new experiences, and even meet some local people in Riyadh that I can’t wait to see again. While my allergies presented challenges, I kept a professional attitude and pushed through.

One of the best parts of the job was covering early shifts. Thanks to my military service background, waking up at 3 or 4 AM wasn’t an issue for me, and I gladly took on those shifts to help my colleagues.

As someone who’s a picky eater, I had been worried about the food, but I never had a bad meal. The hotel and venue were fantastic, and I even met a Turkish-speaking chef who I praised for his delicious dishes.

As most of you know, I have a huge background in Dota 2. Interestingly, during my time at the Esports World Cup, I even had a little cameo in one of the official videos for their YouTube channel. In that video, I had the chance to appear alongside Gaimin Gladiators, the team that went on to secure second place at The International 2024. It was an incredible experience to be part of that moment!

Overall, my experience at the Esports World Cup was incredible. I’m already looking forward to reconnecting with my colleagues and enjoying more events like this in the future.