NIP Partners With Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Will Move HQ To UAE

Swedish esports organization Ninjas in Pyjamas (NIP), has announced a new multi-year deal that will see the storied organisation move its headquarters to Abu Dhabi. The partnership, announced on Tuesday, Jan. 21, has seen NIP broker a deal with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), as per a release.

The deal will reportedly see NIP receive up to $40 million in funding – dependant on performance milestones. Beyond this, the team has revealed it will move its headquarters (currently in Landskrona, Sweden) to the city.

NiP Abu Dhabi
Image Credit: NiP

NIP Pens Deal With UAE Investment Office

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and is one of the largest and most wealthy emirates of the state, second perhaps only to Dubai.

While the move of headquarters to the UAE capital may seem overly dramatic, it’s not unprecedented given the current climate of esports. For example, the UAE’s neighbor to the west, Saudi Arabia, has offered multiple esports organizations ““premium office space and esports facilities in Riyadh.” Gen.G Esports is reportedly just one of the teams who have already made plans to make this move.

Badr Al-Olama, director-general of ADIO, commented on the new deal:

“Welcoming NIP Group to Abu Dhabi marks a significant milestone in this endeavour, and we look forward to jointly shaping a vibrant future for the esports and gaming sector in the region and beyond.”

Hicham Chahine, co-CEO of NIP Group, also shared a comment on the deal:

“We’re delighted to partner with ADIO as we bring together our Eastern and Western businesses, establishing a truly global headquarters that represents not only our growth as a company but the growth of gaming and entertainment in the Middle East. Our selection as a key partner is the ultimate testament to NIP Group’s industry legacy and leadership.”

Last year, NIP was one of the 30 organizations to receive a one-time six-figure stipend from the Esports World Cup Foundation, funded by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. NIP received this in return for entering new esports and participating in the Esports World Cup, as well as additional funding each year if they drive viewership and fan engagement to the EWC.

Image Credit: Wadiia

Details of the performance milestones in NIP’s new deal with Abu Dhabi are unknown, but it’s expected that they’ll have similar goals to the EWC Foundation – driving engagement and interest in the UAE capital.

Abu Dhabi and the UAE have started making dramatic moves in esports over the past few years. In 2024, the emirate unveiled plans to create an esports island – part of its strategy to grow gaming and esports businesses in the UAE.

NIP is a Swedish esports organization founded in 2000, but reformed in 2012 to compete in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. In the past they have competed in VALORANT, Rainbow Six Siege, FIFA, Rocket League, Fortnite, and League of Legends.

Michael Hassall
Michael Hassall

Since: January 31, 2024

Michael has worked in the esports industry for five years after a brief career in marketing. A professional writer for almost a decade, and a lifelong gamer, writing about esports is his one true passion, when he’s not glued to a screen playing the games he writes about.

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