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The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) officially launched the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, marking the start of the world’s largest competitive gaming festival.
Running from July 10 until August 24, the event features 25 tournaments across 24 leading game titles and brings together more than 2,000 elite players from around the globe, competing for a record-breaking prize pool of over $70m
Described by organisers as the biggest esports event ever staged, EWC 2025 introduces a pioneering cross-title ‘Club Championship’ format.
Esports World Cup 2025: Format and prize money
The competition sees the world’s top 200 esports organisations accumulate points across multiple games to contend for the title of EWC Club Champion and a $7 million grand prize.
The wider prize fund also includes $38m for individual game titles, $5m in global qualifier awards, and $450,000 in MVP bonuses.
Speaking at the opening press conference, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, said the event represents a “pivotal moment” for the global esports industry.
“Hosting the EWC reflects our commitment to building a sustainable, world-class esports ecosystem,” he said. “Esports is no longer niche — it’s a global sport and a cultural force. And the Esports World Cup is its most unifying stage. We’re honoured to lead this transformation from Saudi Arabia.”
The EWC is a flagship initiative under Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 and the National Gaming and Esports Strategy, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global hub for gaming and esports.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said this year’s tournament will offer unprecedented access and visibility.
“Through global broadcasts, original shows, and documentary storytelling, we’re opening doors and sharing esports in new and exciting ways,” he said. “With record-breaking competition, this summer is special — not just for gamers, but for everyone who joins us.”
Global reach and cultural integration
The 2025 edition will produce over 7,000 hours of live content, second only to the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics and will be broadcast in 35 languages across 140 countries.
Media partners include FOX Sports, DAZN, Eurosport, and South Korea’s NAVER, with streaming also available on Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok.
EWC Spotlight, a new weekly broadcast produced with IMG, will provide fans with live esports coverage mixed with celebrity interviews and behind-the-scenes access.
The show will be hosted from a custom-built studio in Riyadh by Hugh Woozencroft and Rachel Stringer, and will feature more than 60 celebrity guests throughout the season.
The EWC’s opening ceremony includes performances by Post Malone, Alesso, Tina Guo, and a collaborative debut of the official 2025 Esports World Cup anthem Til My Fingers Bleed by DINO of SEVENTEEN, Duckwrth, and Telle Smith.
Global icons and game titles
Magnus Carlsen and Cristiano Ronaldo have joined the tournament as Global Ambassadors, with Carlsen also set to compete in the inaugural EWC Chess Tournament from July 29 to 31. Their participation underscores the EWC’s ambition to unite traditional sport and esports through shared values of excellence and global community.
The seven-week championship includes tournaments in top titles such as League of Legends, Dota 2, Valorant, EA FC 25, Counter-Strike 2, Apex Legends, PUBG MOBILE, Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and Starcraft 2.
EWC Festival and sponsorships
Beyond the competitions, the EWC Festival will transform Riyadh’s Boulevard City into a citywide celebration of gaming, with fan activations, concerts, and community tournaments.
Major global brands such as Amazon, Aramco, PepsiCo, Lenovo, Sony, Spotify, stc, and Hilton are backing the event as sponsors.
Faisal bin Homran, chief product officer at EWCF, described the EWC as a “new benchmark for what it means to be a champion in the digital age.”
“At its core is a pioneering format that rewards all-around excellence and unlocks long-term value for players, organisations, and communities,” he said.
For more information, including a full tournament schedule, visit esportsworldcup.com.
