Chapter 26: Riyadhs Indoor Gaming Festival Draws Families and Enthusiasts to Misk City

When the sun dipped over Riyadh on August 1, the Malfa Hall in Misk City opened its doors to a tidal wave of laughter, shouts, and the clatter of game pieces. The new Chapter 26 festival, organized by Al‑Saqeefa, has been running every night from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. and will close on August 21.

More than 200 titles—spanning board and card games, electronic titles, chess, strategy, brain‑games, story‑based rooms, and group challenges—await visitors in a sprawling 6,000‑square‑meter indoor arena and a 22,000‑square‑meter outdoor area. Daily tournaments and smaller competitions pepper the schedule, giving players a chance to test their skills in a social, competitive setting.

The festival’s programming deliberately mixes the tactile thrill of a physical board with the immersive pull of digital play. Participants can flip through a deck of cards, engage in a tense chess match, or step into a narrative‑driven experience room that blends storytelling with interactive puzzles. Group challenges encourage collaboration, turning the hall into a living laboratory of creativity and strategy.

Chapter 26 reflects the broader shift in Saudi Arabia’s entertainment landscape. The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and the Riyadh Season initiative, both products of Vision 2030, have opened doors for leisure, cultural, and creative industries. The festival’s emphasis on face‑to‑face interaction and collaboration aligns with the GEA’s goal of delivering diverse, high‑quality entertainment for all segments of society.

Chess and other strategy games stand out as the festival’s core, combining entertainment with planning, problem‑solving, and competition. By targeting families, young people, and dedicated gamers, Chapter 26 offers a mix of competitive play and shared experiences that nurture social interaction.

The event also showcases Saudi talent and entrepreneurship. One of Al‑Saqeefa’s founders is a graduate of the Entertainment Leaders program, part of the GEA‑sponsored Joy Makers initiative. The program trains Saudis in industry skills and provides experience that can be applied to locally owned ventures. Chapter 26 demonstrates how such talent development translates into real‑world projects, building expertise in event organization, operations, content creation, and experience management.

Local entrepreneurs, small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises, and creative professionals find the festival a valuable platform to reach audiences and potential partners. The growing number of Saudi‑developed entertainment concepts creates opportunities for businesses to showcase games, host tournaments, and collaborate with other industry stakeholders.

Entry to Chapter 26 is free for children under six and for people with disabilities. Tickets for other visitors can be purchased through the festival’s website, where the schedule and ticketing information are updated regularly to accommodate high demand.

As of August 11, the festival continues to attract visitors until August 21, maintaining its nightly 6 p.m.–2 a.m. operation. The event illustrates how Saudi Arabia’s entertainment landscape is expanding beyond concerts and sporting events to include interactive, socially driven experiences that support local talent and entrepreneurship.