logo
AG.AL CROWNED WINNERS OF THE HONOR OF KINGS WORLD CUP, HONOR OF KINGS INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HEADS TO THE PHILIPPINES IN NOVEMBER!

AG.AL CROWNED WINNERS OF THE HONOR OF KINGS WORLD CUP, HONOR OF KINGS INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HEADS TO THE PHILIPPINES IN NOVEMBER!

Web Release5 days ago
AG.AL has emerged victorious in Riyadh at the KWC where they took down TT Global in an intense back-and-forth, which saw them battle it out across seven matches to lift the trophy, with AG.AL executing an exhilarating reverse sweep that saw them turn the tide at game 5, before resounding wins in games 6 and 7. As champions, AG.AL claimed $750,000 USD of the $3M USD prize pool. The grand final between AG.AL and TT Global was the culmination of an intense series of matches that unfolded during the KWC at the Esports World Cup, where the world's 18 best Honor of Kings teams went head-to-head for a chance to claim victory on the world stage.
Final results of KWC 2025
KWC began on July 15th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the Esports World Cup 2025, bringing together the best teams from across the world to compete for a $3M prize pool. The grand final saw a full house of fans around the world, and in the arena, treated to a thrilling best-of-seven series with AG.AL clinching the victory in the final match. Coming back from a match point 3-1 deficit earlier in the series, AG.AL managed to keep their cool, eventually taking down TT Global to earn their place in Honor of Kings esports history. Chen 'Zoe' Jiahao from AG.AL was awarded the grand final MVP trophy for his impressive performance throughout the series. AG.AL also earned the right to be called one of the best Honor of Kings teams in the world.
Players from all around the world also celebrate KWC online and vote in game for their favorite team and player. AG.AL finally crowned as Fan Favorite Team, AG.YINUO claimed as Fan Favorite Player, and Mara Aquino claimed as the Fan Favorite Voice.
Upcoming Excitements in Honor of Kings Esports
'We've built an esports ecosystem for players worldwide. Over 160,000 players have created their own esports stories. We see these stories worldwide, happening in each players' daily lives. And in the second half of 2025, we'll tell these stories even more fiercely, with greater tournaments, lower barriers to enter, and more ways for players to make their mark.' Said James Yang, Senior Director of Level Infinite Global Esports Center.
Honor of Kings International Championship
During KWC more details around what viewers can look forward to from Honor of Kings Esports in 2025 were revealed. The Honor of Kings International Championship (KIC), the crown jewel of Honor of Kings Esports returns in November, where top teams worldwide will head to The Philippines to compete. Renowned for embracing the culture of its host region, this year's KIC will provide local and global fans with an exciting spectacle, with more to be announced soon. Alongside a significant share of the $1,000,000 prize pool, the champion of KIC 2025 will be immortalised in-game, with their very own hero skin in Honor of Kings. What's more, the Top 3 performing teams from KIC will carry their regional flags to the Challenger Cup in China this December.
Honor of Kings Nation Clash
Honor of Kings has also announced a brand new tournament – Honor of Kings Nation Clash (KNC), to offer more opportunities for players to compete, with the first iteration taking place in Malaysia in October, inviting the best talent from Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines to compete.
Honor of Kings Regional Professional Leagues
The second half of 2025 will also see the launch of the Honor of Kings Regional Professional Leagues return for a second season, with the winners from IKL, MKL and PKL, receiving a special team-themed outfit for the Honor of Kings hero Flowborn.
Indonesia King Laga (IKL) – August 22nd – October 5th
MY Honor of Kings League (MKL) – September 5th – October 19th
Philippine Kings League (PKL) – August 29th – October 12th
Wildcard Kings Series (WKS) – September 5th – September 7th
Honor of Kings Brazil Championship (CHOKBR) – September 5th – September 28th
Major East League (KME) – September 11th – September 28th
Major West League (KMW) – September 11th – September 28th
Honor of Kings Open Series
So far in 2025, the top performing players in the Honor of Kings Open Series have paved their way to the global stage. Twisted Minds have paved their way from the Open Series, to Honor of Kings Major West League to earn their coveted spot in the KWC 2025 where they placed fourth in the leaderboard.
In the Open Series Split 3, over 160,000 players from over 100 countries and regions competed in the tournaments, and 18 teams advanced to regional professional leagues. Now, Open Series Split 4 has begun, with low entry requirements and a new format for more competitive battles.
Honor of Kings Campus Series
The inaugural KCS tournaments took place in over 500 campuses around the world, with thousands of students participating, offering them a taste of pro-level competition and meet with like-minded players. For the remainder of 2025 KCS tournaments will roll out to even more campuses around the world, as well as offer more online events for mass participation.
For more information on Honor of Kings esports news and updates, be sure to follow the Honor of Kings Esports' official social channels:
Instagram: @hok_global_esports
Facebook: @HOK Global Esports
X (formerly Twitter): @HoKEsports
YouTube: @hokglobalesports
Twitch: @HOK_Esports
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Presenting: Our fave regional girl gamers to follow
Presenting: Our fave regional girl gamers to follow

Cosmopolitan ME

time2 days ago

  • Cosmopolitan ME

Presenting: Our fave regional girl gamers to follow

ICYMI: Saudi Arabia is hosting the second edition of the Esports World Cup in Boulevard Riyadh City from July 7th to August 24th. The attention of the gaming world is fixed on the region this summer, and ours, naturally, is on the lineup of female gamers paving the way for representation in the MENA gaming industry. Spoiler alert: these gamer girls will make you want to pick up that controller. Maryam Maher (aka Mary Gaming) Via Instagram @maryvalorantt Who is she: 17-year-old Bahraini professional gamer and the first GCC-based female gamer to join an international Esports team. Mary Maher, AKA Mary Gaming, isn't just dominating on the Valorant battlefield, she's dominating the whole gaming scene. At only 16 years old she joined the renowned international E-Sports team, G2, and even went on to win the Valorant Champions 2022. She's the number one female Fortnite player in the region and the youngest MENA-based gamer to ever be signed by a professional gaming organisation, NASR ESports. Madiha Naz Who is she: Madiha 'Madi' Naz is a professional esports player. She was captain of the first-ever all-female Middle Eastern esports team and has represented MENA in international women's tournaments. Another gamer girl redefining the gaming landscape, Madi is leading the charge in female esports athlete achievements. In 2022, she was the first esports athlete to be nominated by the U.A.E. government for a golden visa. She was recently recognized in Forbes Middle East's 30 under 30 list for her role in the esports industry. Lululunaa Via Instagram @the_lululunaa Who is she: Laila, popularly known as Lululunaa, is a Twitch partner, content creator for Geekay Esports, and a Miss Esports Ambassador. Among her list of accolades, the Moroccan esports player also received the title of Best Female Streamer for 2020 and 2021. Najd Fahad Via Instagram @najjd002 Who is she: Najd Fahad is a notable name in the women's FIFA tournaments. She previously made headlines when she became the first Saudi woman to win an e-football title at the FISU eSports Challenge's female tournament in 2020. In another world first, she also bagged the title of the first Saudi woman to win a gold medal at the GCC Games. Zainab Turkie Via Instagram @zaazturkie Who is she: Zainab is a professional CS2 player for Imperial Esports, winning a number of titles in the US. Orignally from Lebanon and Sweden, this gamer has already got a World Championship under her belt. Prepare to see her name everywhere. Need Riyadh recs? Check out some of the spots we love.

Open call for submissions for 7th Ithra Art Prize announced by KSA
Open call for submissions for 7th Ithra Art Prize announced by KSA

Gulf Today

time4 days ago

  • Gulf Today

Open call for submissions for 7th Ithra Art Prize announced by KSA

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has announced the open call for the 7th edition of the biennial Ithra Art Prize, an art grant supporting contemporary art across the Arab world. Submissions officially opened on July 24 and will be accepted till October 16, 2025. Founded in 2017, the prize is a valuable platform for artists from the region. With a grand award of USD 100,000, the winning artwork will find a permanent home in Ithra's forever art collection. In a significant expansion from previous years, the prize, through an appointed jury, will bestow production grants to five finalists for showcasing their work in an exhibition at Ithra, in the spring of 2026. The exhibition is a new highlight of the prize, as it returns the award to its home in KSA's Eastern Province, contributing to the artists' evolving legacies and aiming to amplify the discourse on contemporary art in the region. The final winner will be selected during the course of the exhibition. As part of its evolving approach, both new commissions and also recontextualised existing works, are eligible to apply. The Ithra Art Prize recognises artists whose practices are intellectually engaged, contextually grounded, and developed through sustained inquiry over time. Submitted works must also reflect artists' ongoing practice and research. The prize is open to individual artists and collectives aged 18 and older, should be of Arab heritage or be currently residing in one of the 22 Arab countries. E Pluribus Unum by Nadia Kaabi-Linke. Farah Abushullaih, Head of Ithra's Museum, said that 'the Ithra Art Prize supports artists who engage creatively and critically with conditions and ideas that speak to the diverse contexts of our region. The 7th Edition of the Ithra Art Prize marks a homecoming that expands the Prize's scope through an exhibition at Ithra, featuring multiple works in dialogue with one another.' The Ithra Art Prize is a premier platform for contemporary artists and celebrates a wide range of practices and perspectives. Past winners have exhibited at leading institutions within the Kingdom and internationally. They include Ayman Zedani (2018) for Mem, unveiled at Art Dubai; Daniah Al Saleh (2019), who won the second edition with Sawtam, an audiovisual installation based on Arabic phonemes, also unveiled at Art Dubai and exhibited later at the State Hermitage Museum, Russia; and Fahad bin Naif (2020), awarded for Rakhm, an installation exploring themes of environmental preservation and urban ecosystems. In 2021, Nadia Kaabi-Linke won with E Pluribus Unum, presented at the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale. E Pluribus Unum explored the impact of the global pandemic. The following year, Adel Abidin (2023), an Iraqi-Finnish artist, received the fifth edition prize for his large-scale installation ON. Most recently, in 2024, Obaid Alsafi was the sixth edition winner for his evocative installation Palms in Eternal Embrace, which debuted at the AlUla Arts Festival. Obaid's piece drew inspiration from Saudi Arabia's rich history and landscapes, referencing the 5,000-year-old sandstone pillars found in the artist's birthplace, the historical town of Qaryat Al Faw, and the ancient Rajajil Columns found in Al Jawf region, north of Saudi Arabia. Not only an architectural marvel, the Rajajil Columns were used to observe the stars and seasonal changes, and has recently provided evidence of the effects of climate change in the Arabian Peninsula. With its 7th edition, the Ithra Art Prize continues its founding mission of supporting artistic excellence, connecting Arab creatives to global audiences, and nurturing a thriving cultural ecosystem across the region and beyond. The Ithra Art Prize is one of the most significant awards dedicated to contemporary artists from or based in the 22 Arab countries. The biannual prize initially focused on Saudi and Saudi-based artists, and later expanded its fourth edition to include practices from across the wider Arab region. Farah Abushullaih, Head of Ithra's Museum. Offered by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), the prize's mandate is to spark cultural curiosity, foster original thought and expression, and celebrate work that reflects intellectually engaged and contextually responsive approaches. The winning artist is awarded by an international jury with a USD 100,000 grant, and his or her work is acquired by the Ithra Collection, helping shape both their artistic legacy and furthering the evolving discourse of contemporary Arab art. With every edition, Ithra aims to contribute to the region's creative ecosystem by providing a platform for contemporary artists to project their talent and forge partnerships with leading regional institutions, including Art Dubai, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, and the AlUla Arts Festival. The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) — meaning 'enrichment' in Arabic — was built as part of Saudi Aramco's vision to create an ambitious initiative for the public. Ithra is the Kingdom's leading cultural and creative destination for talent development and cross-cultural experiences. Since its inaugural in 2018, each of Ithra's programmes has served as windows to global experiences, celebrating human potential and empowering creativity. Ithra's operating pillars include culture, creativity, community, art, and knowledge. With the visionary platforms and key initiatives, the art and culture body offers workshops, performances, and events. The leading cultural destination is located in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. With a focus on enriching people's lives by offering impactful cultural and creative programmes and initiatives, since its opening Ithra has also become a distinguished architectural landmark that houses the Idea Lab, Library, Theater, Museum, Cinema, Great Hall, Energy Exhibit, Children's Museum and Knowledge Tower.

Riyadh strengthens global tourism image with world's largest esports tournament
Riyadh strengthens global tourism image with world's largest esports tournament

Economy ME

time4 days ago

  • Economy ME

Riyadh strengthens global tourism image with world's largest esports tournament

Riyadh is reinforcing its status as a premier global destination by hosting the Esports World Cup, a landmark event that showcases the dynamic intersection of digital culture and international tourism. Held at Boulevard Riyadh City, the tournament marks a major milestone in Saudi Arabia's growing global profile, underlining the kingdom's progress in infrastructure, event organization, and integrated tourism experiences. It also reflects the broader transformation of gaming — from local street culture to cutting-edge digital arenas embraced by the capital with innovation and distinction. Running from July 7 to August 24, the seven-week tournament has drawn over 2,000 elite international players competing in a wide array of the world's most popular esports titles. The event has quickly become the largest entertainment experience of its kind globally, with broadcasts in more than 35 languages reaching audiences across 140 countries. The strong international presence of players, teams, fans, and media has significantly boosted tourism in Riyadh. Thousands of visitors are experiencing a unique blend of high-tech entertainment, cultural showcases, and local attractions, further solidifying the kingdom's reputation as a welcoming and globally connected destination. The Esports World Cup is a landmark event that showcases the dynamic intersection of digital culture and international tourism in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia launches massive summer 2025 tourism campaign to attract global visitors International media outlets are offering extensive coverage of the event, providing live reports on Riyadh's cultural vibrancy and tourist appeal, while sharing visitor experiences and public engagement. The spotlight on the capital continues to grow as the city hosts this unprecedented fusion of global competition and cultural exchange. To amplify real-time coverage, the Esports World Cup Foundation launched the EWC_Extra channel on social platforms X and Instagram, spotlighting key tournament moments and standout player performances. In its first week alone, the initiative recorded a 167 percent rise in viewership and a 267 percent increase in video views. The momentum builds on the success of last year's inaugural Esports World Cup, which drew more than 500 million viewers worldwide, logged 252 million viewing hours, and reached a peak of 6.3 million concurrent viewers, setting a strong precedent for the tournament's continued growth and international appeal.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store