09 September 2026
Ready, set, stay: Holiday Inn in Saudi Arabia is giving guests more ways to play, connect and level up every moment together
From check-in to game on, new Holiday Inn x Elite Gaming Pods introduce a fresh, family-friendly way for guests to game, relax and spend quality time across four hotels in the Kingdom
09 September 2026: Holiday Inn, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' Essentials Collection, is inviting guests to Level Up Your Stay through a new partnership with EStars, a global educational esports provider, with the launch of Holiday Inn x Elite Gaming Pods across four hotels in Saudi Arabia.
Built on Holiday Inn's belief that travel is better together, the partnership gives guests a new way to gather, connect and make every moment count during their stay. Launched during the Esports World Cup 2026, the initiative reflects the rapid growth of gaming and esports across Saudi Arabia while introducing a fresh social experience that gives families, friends and colleagues a new reason to connect.
Launching across Holiday Inn Riyadh Business District, Holiday Inn Riyadh Al Malaz, Holiday Inn Jeddah Corniche and Holiday Inn & Suites Al Khobar, the new gaming spaces are now available to guests until December 2026.
Key features include:
- Two Elite Gaming Pods per hotel
- High-performance gaming set-ups featuring MSI gaming PCs, next-generation consoles, curved monitors, premium accessories and ergonomic seating.
- Complimentary access for guests to popular esports titles including Fortnite, Rocket League and Overwatch.
- Open and welcoming social spaces designed for guests whether travelling with family, friends, colleagues or loved ones.
- Future activations including gaming tournaments, community moments, influencer activity and branded guest experiences.
To add to the excitement, participating hotels will also introduce competition moments linked to the gaming experience, with prizes including hotel stays, food and beverage vouchers and IHG One Rewards points, giving guests even more reasons to play, take part and make the most of their time at Holiday Inn.
Developed in partnership with EStars, the Holiday Inn x Elite Gaming Pods mark the beginning of a wider collaboration that will unlock gaming tournaments, community events, influencer activations and branded guest experiences across participating hotels, all designed to turn play into shared moments while bringing Holiday Inn’s warm, welcoming spirit and open social spaces to life in a fresh new way.
Maher Abou Nasr, Managing Director, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Holiday Inn has always been a brand that brings people together, and today we're evolving that experience to reflect how guests connect, socialise and spend their leisure time. From our Open Lobby concept to new experiences like the Holiday Inn x Elite Gaming Pods, we're creating dynamic social spaces that encourage connection, shared experiences and a sense of community. Through our partnership with EStars, guests can enjoy a new way to play, unwind and engage during their stay, while IHG One Rewards helps make those experiences even more rewarding. We're excited to introduce an initiative that aligns with the interests of today's travellers and supports Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 goals.”
Alongside the guest experience, the partnership will draw on EStars' expertise and network across schools, gaming communities and the wider esports sector to support future activations, deepen engagement with gaming audiences across the Kingdom, and help Holiday Inn continue to create brighter, more connected stays.
Mags Byrne, Founder and CEO of EStars, said: “We're proud to partner with Holiday Inn on an initiative that brings together hospitality and gaming in an exciting new way. The Elite Gaming Pods are more than just gaming spaces; they're designed to foster connection, community and engagement, while creating opportunities for future tournaments, educational programmes and esports initiatives.”
Guests are invited to grab their player two, check in and Level Up Your Stay at participating Holiday Inn hotels across Saudi Arabia:
- Holiday Inn Riyadh Business District by IHG
- Holiday Inn Riyadh Al Malaz by IHG
- Holiday Inn Jeddah Corniche by IHG
- Holiday Inn & Suites Al Khobar by IHG
Through IHG One Rewards, members can make the most of every stay by earning points, accessing exclusive benefits and redeeming rewards across IHG Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio. As part of the Level Up Your Stay experience, members will also have the opportunity to win IHG One Rewards points through selected gaming competitions at participating Holiday Inn hotels in Saudi Arabia.
Notes to Editors:
For further press information, contact: Anne-Lise Berthon | [email protected], Seven Media | E [email protected]
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About IHG®
IHG Hotels & Resorts (tickers: LON:IHG for Ordinary Shares; NYSE:IHG for ADRs) is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.
With a family of 21 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes with over 160 million members, IHG has more than one million rooms across 7,000 hotels in over 100 countries, and a development pipeline of a further 2,400 properties.
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About Holiday Inn
Whether it’s with friends, family or coworkers, Holiday Inn makes it easy for travellers to be there together for any moment, big or small. With thousands of locations around the world, Holiday Inn hotels deliver memorable experiences for business and leisure travellers through warm and welcoming service, contemporary design that blends the familiar with the new, and a sense of comfort unique to the brand and its iconic green sign. At Holiday Inn hotels, guests can find amenities to help them make connections, work and play, including full-service restaurants where Kids Eat Free, meeting and business facilities, bright swimming pools and flexible public spaces. For more information about the Holiday Inn brand, visit www.holidayinn.com or call 1-888-HOLIDAY. Find us on Facebook or Instagram
About Estars
EStars is an award-winning educational esports company and a leading specialist in the design, build and management of state-of-the-art esports facilities and immersive learning environments. From high-performance gaming pods to bespoke semi and fully immersive gaming rooms and classrooms, EStars delivers end-to-end solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client. Its expert team manages every stage of the process, from concept and design through to installation, technology integration and ongoing support - creating future-ready spaces that support esports, digital learning and a wide range of interactive educational experiences.
Complementing its immersive technology offering, EStars has developed a comprehensive educational pathway for students aged 7–18. Students begin on EStars’ interactive online platform, using game-based learning to develop essential transferable skills, before progressing through a suite of accredited qualifications in the business of esports. The pathway ranges from NOCN Level 1 Certificates through to Pearson accredited BTEC programmes at Levels 2 and 3. EStars works closely with educators and industry partners to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and credentials needed to succeed in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
