Nigma Galaxy and Aldar partner to broaden the reach of esports in Abu Dhabi

Nigma Galaxy, the most successful esports organisation in MENA, dedicated to developing talent and industry infrastructure, is pleased to announce a multi-year partnership with Aldar, the leading real estate developer and manager in Abu Dhabi, to enhance the UAE’s passionate gaming and esports communities through talent development and community engagement.

Tapping into its own mission to create engaged communities across Abu Dhabi, Aldar will work with Nigma Galaxy to explore the inclusion of gaming spaces within its upcoming residential communities, while also developing a Nigma Galaxy esports training facility for players. At the facility, Nigma Galaxy will provide a range of training programmes and internship opportunities to develop the next generation of gaming and esports talent. The opportunities will span the entirety of gaming and esports, from nurturing up-and-coming competitive gamers through to providing insight on how to run a business within the gaming industry. Additionally, Nigma Galaxy will help to establish a series of after school esports workshops at Aldar Education schools across the UAE.

Aldar will enable Nigma Galaxy to access its full real estate portfolio, including spaces to host esports competitions and player training facilities in Yas Mall and Saadiyat Grove once the development is complete. Aldar will also provide accommodation options for Nigma Galaxy players, while Aldar’s logo will also be featured across all Nigma Galaxy jerseys. 

Finally, Nigma Galaxy has produced a unique in-game activation within Minecraft, bringing Aldar’s flagship Saadiyat Grove development to life in the game. Players will be able to design their own properties using a bespoke ‘block library’ aligned to the design philosophy and materials used in real life. They will also compete to design esports experiences, such as parkour courses, inside the Minecraft version of Aldar assets. 

“This collaboration offers tremendous value on both sides - Aldar is a brand that has deep ties with its communities across Abu Dhabi, and for Nigma Galaxy, it is important we continually look at how we can further support young people,” said Mohamed Morad, Co-Founder of Nigma Galaxy. “This partnership taps into the growing aspirations of the region. We are excited about the creative and educational potential behind the partnership. Not only are we able to work with Aldar to help shape facilities and initiatives young people will find useful but we’re able to create innovative ways to engage with audiences. The in-game activation with Minecraft is a fantastic way to merge our two worlds and really cemented why Aldar is the right partner for us.” 

Christoph Timm, Co-Founder of Nigma Galaxy commented: “Together we have been able to pool our resources and knowledge to create completely new grassroots esports opportunities for young people. We are also able to offer creative ways for fans to engage with the Aldar brand through an in-game activation. Aldar provides us with endless opportunities thanks to its network and we’re hoping that we’ll be able to build a much stronger ecosystem with the team’s support.”

Rashed Al Omaira, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldar Development, added: “Central to Aldar’s proposition is the creation of communities, whether through our residential developments, our retail and leisure assets, or our network of schools across the country. The significance of this partnership is two-fold; by collaborating with Nigma Galaxy, we are able to facilitate the development of Abu Dhabi’s passionate community of gaming and esports enthusiasts through events and talent development programmes, and crucially, it also helps us create impact amongst the country’s youth. We look forward to actively contributing to the development of the esports industry in the region, unlocking the potential of homegrown talent to compete on the global stage.”

This is the latest partnership that Nigma Galaxy has established with a leading Abu Dhabi entity. In 2020 Nigma Galaxy signed an agreement with Etihad Airways to offer players a premium experience when they travel to ensure they arrive relaxed and energised ahead of a tournament.