Esports World Cup 2025 to Begin in Riyadh with Record $70 Million Prize Pool

The 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC) is set to commence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 8 to August 24, featuring a record-breaking prize pool exceeding $70 million. This year's tournament will showcase 25 competitions across 24 different esports titles, including new additions such as chess, Valorant, Crossfire, and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.

Organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), a nonprofit entity funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), the EWC aims to elevate esports as a global sport and drive long-term growth for the entire ecosystem. The inclusion of diverse titles reflects the EWC's commitment to diversifying its offerings and engaging a broader audience.

The unprecedented $70 million prize pool is allocated across several categories:

  • Club Championship: $27 million is dedicated to the Club Championship, rewarding the top 16 clubs based on their overall performance across multiple titles. The champion club will receive $7 million.

  • Game Championships: Over $38 million is allocated to individual game tournaments, with each title featuring its own prize pool.

  • MVP Awards: A total of $450,000 is set aside for Most Valuable Player awards, recognizing outstanding individual performances.

  • Qualifiers: More than $5 million is allocated for qualifying events leading up to the main tournament.

The tournament spans seven weeks, with competitions scheduled as follows:

  • Week 1: VALORANT, Apex Legends, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, Rennsport, Dota 2

  • Week 2: League of Legends, Dota 2, MLBB Women's Invitational, Honor of Kings, Free Fire

  • Week 3: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, StarCraft II, MLBB Mid-Season Cup, PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings

  • Week 4: Overwatch 2, PUBG Mobile, Chess, MLBB Mid-Season Cup

  • Week 5: Call of Duty: Warzone, Rainbow Six Siege X, EA Sports FC 25

  • Week 6: Rocket League, PUBG Battlegrounds, Teamfight Tactics, Tekken 8

  • Week 7: Counter-Strike 2, CrossFire: Mercenary Forces Corporation, Street Fighter 6

Saudi Arabia's substantial investment in the EWC aligns with its Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the economy and position the kingdom as a global hub for gaming and esports. The event is expected to create numerous job opportunities and stimulate the local economy.

However, the kingdom's involvement in esports has attracted criticism. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about potential "sportswashing," suggesting that such high-profile events may be used to distract from the country's human rights record.

The 2025 EWC builds upon the success of the inaugural 2024 event, which featured a $60 million prize pool and marked Saudi Arabia's ambitious entry into the global esports arena. The increased prize pool and expanded game lineup in 2025 underscore the kingdom's commitment to becoming a leading force in the esports industry.

As the EWC approaches, the global esports community eagerly anticipates the competition, which promises to be a landmark event in the evolution of competitive gaming.

Tags: #esports, #riyadh, #gaming, #sports, #saudiarabia

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