Riyadh hosts a new edition of the international esports tournament with the start of the Esports World Cup 2025, an event that, from July 7 to August 24, transforms the Saudi capital into the global epicenter of gaming, entertainment, and digital competition. Welcome to Arabia has been key in driving the organization, reinforcing the country's image as a global destination for these types of events that integrate leisure, culture, and tourism.
The event extends far beyond mere competition, featuring over 2.000 players and 200 clubs representing more than 100 countries. Spread across 25 video game tournaments of various genres, this edition boasts a record-breaking prize pool exceeding $70 million , reflecting the growing international relevance of esports and the event's ambition to establish itself as a leading force in the industry.
A festival that unites competition and culture
The Esports World Cup format aims for a comprehensive experience , designed as a global festival where not only professionals but also fans have their place. Immersive stages and a wide range of activities have been prepared , including concerts with renowned artists like Post Malone, who headlined the opening ceremony, as well as themed areas for cosplay, anime cafes, and retro arcades.
This approach aims to promote local identity and Saudi hospitality by merging 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 like At-Turaif—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—AlUla, and the Red Sea, all integrated into the competition program.
Games and the competition system
This year's edition offers 25 titles in competition , spread across six major 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's highlights include new additions such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, CrossFire, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, VALORANT and Chess (featuring grandmasters like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura), while others like Fortnite or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III are left out of the selection.
The competition system features finals for each discipline at a single global event ; furthermore, club scores and individual results will determine the prizes. The Club Championship , the top team award, distributes $27 million among the 16 best teams, with $7 million going to the champion. Each discipline has its own qualifying structure and matches played 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 USA, South Korea—the most represented countries—and even four representatives from Kazakhstan this year. The age range is remarkable: from youngsters like Craime (14 years old, Chile) playing Street Fighter 6, to veterans like the 44-year-old Japanese player 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 pool exceeds $70 million , with $27 million allocated to club rankings and the remainder distributed among individual championships, qualifier rewards, and MVP bonuses. Additionally, this year has seen prize increases for League of Legends, Rocket League, and Counter-Strike 2, while other titles like Dota 2 and StarCraft II have experienced reductions.
The event enjoys global media coverage . Thanks to the Esports World Cup Foundation's partnership with the agency 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, airs 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 seasoned fans and those new to this type of competition.
The 2025 edition solidifies Riyadh's position as the world capital of esports , demonstrating Saudi Arabia's capacity to organize major international events that merge sport, culture, and technology. The Esports World Cup thus offers a unique opportunity for both gaming enthusiasts and those seeking to discover new facets of leisure and tourism in the Middle East.
