Riyadh hosts a new edition of the international e-sports tournament with the start of the Esports World Cup 2025, an event that, from July 7 to August 24, turns the Saudi capital into the global epicenter of gaming, entertainment, and digital competition. Welcome to Arabia It has been key to the organizational drive, reinforcing the country's image as a global destination for this type of event that integrates leisure, culture, and tourism.
The event goes far beyond the simple competitive sphere, with more than 2.000 players and 200 clubs representing more than one hundred countries. Spread across 25 video game tournaments of different genres, this edition stands out for its Record prize pool of over $70 million, reflecting the growing relevance of eSports internationally and the event's ambition to position itself as a benchmark in the sector.
A festival that unites competition and culture
The Esports World Cup format focuses on a comprehensive experience., conceived as a global festival where not only professionals have their space, but also amateurs. Immersive scenarios have been prepared and a range of activities that include everything from concerts with renowned artists such as Post Malone, who headlined the opening ceremony, to themed cosplay areas, anime cafes, and retro arcades.
This approach seeks to enhance local identity and Saudi hospitality, promoting the fusion of the gaming world with culture, live entertainment, and the discovery of the host city and country. The event also offers tourist routes, allowing attendees to explore places such as At-Turaif—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—Al Ula, and the Red Sea, all integrated into the competition program.
Games and the competition system
This year's edition offers 25 titles in competition, divided into six large thematic areas that group genres and disciplines:
- MOBA: Dota 2, League of Legends, Honor of Kings, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and its women's tournament.
- Shooters: Counter-Strike 2, VALORANT, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone, Rainbow Six Siege, Apex Legends, PUBG, CrossFire, Free Fire, Overwatch 2.
- Simulation and sports: Rennsport, EA Sports FC 25, Rocket League.
- Fight: Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.
- Strategy and others: StarCraft II, Chess and Teamfight Tactics.
This year New features include the addition of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, CrossFire, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, VALORANT and Chess (with the presence of grandmasters such as Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura), while others such as Fortnite or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III are left out of the selection.
The competition system provides finals of each discipline in a single global event; in addition, club scores and individual results will determine the prizes. The Club Championship, the grand prize, distributes $27 million among the top 16 teams, with $7 million awarded to the champion. Each discipline has its own qualifying structure and matches in both main stadiums and Last Chance Qualifiers.
Participation, schedules and representation
The EWC brings together a wide diversity of nationalities, with players from China, the US, and South Korea—the most represented countries—and up to four representatives from Kazakhstan this year. The age range is unique: from youngsters like Craime (14, Chile) in Street Fighter 6, to veterans like 44-year-old Japanese YHC-Mochi.
Among the European clubs, Movistar KOI and G2 Esports stand out, both of whom will try to turn around the recent MSI losing streak. Their League of Legends matches kick off on July 16th in double-round group stages. The main viewing times for European viewers are from 11:00 a.m. (CET) and extend over two rounds, with the playoffs following on July 19th and 20th. Broadcasts are adapted to different regions, allowing all matches to be followed regardless of time zone.
Awards and international dissemination
The total prize exceeds 70 million dollars, with 27 million dedicated to club rankings and the remainder distributed among individual championships, qualifier rewards, and MVP bonuses. Additionally, this year, one-off prize pool increases have been announced for League of Legends, Rocket League, and Counter-Strike 2, although other titles like Dota 2 and StarCraft II have seen downward adjustments.
Media coverage of the event is globalThanks to the Esports World Cup Foundation's partnership with IMG, the tournament is broadcast in 35 languages and reaches more than 140 countries, generating over 7.000 hours of live content. The EWC Spotlight program, produced in collaboration with SNTV, is broadcast in more than 25 countries and offers highlights, live action, and special content from a custom-built stadium in Boulevard City, Riyadh. This initiative aims to bring the eSports experience closer to both regular fans and those new to this type of competition.
The 2025 edition consolidates Riyadh as world capital of eSports, demonstrating Saudi Arabia's ability to host major international events that merge sport, culture, and technology. The Esports World Cup thus offers a unique opportunity for both gaming enthusiasts and those looking to discover new facets of leisure and tourism in the Middle East.
