TL;DR: The world’s richest esports tournament, the Esports World Cup 2025 , has kicked off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Running from July 7 to August 24, over 2,000 players from more than 200 clubs across 100 countries are battling for a record $70 million prize pool. This mega event features 25 competitions across 24 games, with Dota 2 having launched the high-stakes action on July 8. Alongside the gaming, entertainment highlights include Cristiano Ronaldo as Global Ambassador and Post Malone headlining the opening ceremony.
Saudi Arabia has positioned itself at the heart of the global esports map by hosting the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh’s Boulevard City, a state-of-the-art venue tailored for competitive gaming and fan engagement.
While the tournament features blockbuster gaming titles, its broader role is equally important: amplifying the Kingdom’s cultural diplomacy and sports economy, part of a wider strategy to diversify away from oil under Vision 2030.
Entertainment Meets Esports
Adding a cultural crossover to the tournament, Post Malone, one of the most influential musical artists of this era, is set to headline the opening ceremony on July 10. His presence underscores how esports has become an integral part of global pop culture, drawing fans from beyond the gaming community.
Cristiano Ronaldo Joins the Game
Yes, you read it right! In a high-profile move, Cristiano Ronaldo has been appointed as the Global Ambassador for the Esports World Cup. His involvement is being framed as a bridge between traditional athletics and digital sports. The campaign features him prominently in promotional activities and is designed to draw attention to competitive gaming as a legitimate global sport.
Dota 2 Kicks Off a Summer of High-Stakes Action
The Dota 2 leg of the Esports World Cup commenced on July 8 and will run through July 19. The event offers a $3 million prize pool, with $1 million set aside for the winning team. A total of 16 elite teams will face off in a meticulously designed three-stage format.
The tournament started with a group stage, where teams battled in round-robin matches. The qualifying teams that perform the best will advance to the playoffs, while the other teams will participate in the elimination rounds. The playoffs are supposed to be held from the 16th of July to the 19th, a three-day classic battleground.
High-profile teams like Team Spirit, PARIVISION, and Gaimin Gladiators are expected to be top contenders, but surprises from underdogs are always possible. The opening of the tournament featured key matchups, including Talon Esports versus NaVi and Team Spirit facing Xtreme Gaming.
Who organised the Esports World Cup?
Organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation and ESL FACEIT Group , the tournament also integrates broader goals of community building and economic diversification. The Club Support Programme, which is affiliated with EWCF, aims to foster the growth of talents.
The purpose-built arena offers not just a main competition space, but also training zones, streaming rooms, community lounges, and fan activation areas, all supporting a more holistic esports ecosystem.
Esports on the same path as Traditional Sports
With total esports industry revenues forecast to surpass $4.3 billion globally in 2025 and new player bases emerging in the MENA region, this tournament places esports in the same league as legacy sports.
FAQs
Saudi Arabia has positioned itself at the heart of the global esports map by hosting the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh’s Boulevard City, a state-of-the-art venue tailored for competitive gaming and fan engagement.
While the tournament features blockbuster gaming titles, its broader role is equally important: amplifying the Kingdom’s cultural diplomacy and sports economy, part of a wider strategy to diversify away from oil under Vision 2030.
Entertainment Meets Esports
Adding a cultural crossover to the tournament, Post Malone, one of the most influential musical artists of this era, is set to headline the opening ceremony on July 10. His presence underscores how esports has become an integral part of global pop culture, drawing fans from beyond the gaming community.
Cristiano Ronaldo Joins the Game
Yes, you read it right! In a high-profile move, Cristiano Ronaldo has been appointed as the Global Ambassador for the Esports World Cup. His involvement is being framed as a bridge between traditional athletics and digital sports. The campaign features him prominently in promotional activities and is designed to draw attention to competitive gaming as a legitimate global sport.
Dota 2 Kicks Off a Summer of High-Stakes Action
The Dota 2 leg of the Esports World Cup commenced on July 8 and will run through July 19. The event offers a $3 million prize pool, with $1 million set aside for the winning team. A total of 16 elite teams will face off in a meticulously designed three-stage format.
The tournament started with a group stage, where teams battled in round-robin matches. The qualifying teams that perform the best will advance to the playoffs, while the other teams will participate in the elimination rounds. The playoffs are supposed to be held from the 16th of July to the 19th, a three-day classic battleground.
High-profile teams like Team Spirit, PARIVISION, and Gaimin Gladiators are expected to be top contenders, but surprises from underdogs are always possible. The opening of the tournament featured key matchups, including Talon Esports versus NaVi and Team Spirit facing Xtreme Gaming.
Who organised the Esports World Cup?
Organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation and ESL FACEIT Group , the tournament also integrates broader goals of community building and economic diversification. The Club Support Programme, which is affiliated with EWCF, aims to foster the growth of talents.
The purpose-built arena offers not just a main competition space, but also training zones, streaming rooms, community lounges, and fan activation areas, all supporting a more holistic esports ecosystem.
Esports on the same path as Traditional Sports
With total esports industry revenues forecast to surpass $4.3 billion globally in 2025 and new player bases emerging in the MENA region, this tournament places esports in the same league as legacy sports.
FAQs
- When will the esports World Cup take place?
- What’s the total prize pool?
- How many games are scheduled?
- Who is hosting the event?
- Why is Ronaldo involved?
- Which new games were added this year?
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