
Spotify partnership brings music to Esports World Cup 2025
The collaboration is designed to enhance the overall fan experience at this year's Esports World Cup (EWC) by integrating music more directly into the event environment, both physically and digitally. As part of the partnership, Spotify will launch the EWC Music Hub, featuring official tournament anthems that form part of the EWC music identity, along with curated gaming playlists designed to elevate the in-game and fan experience. The partnership also includes artist collaborations and on-site content creation with EWC creators and fans, aiming to deepen the personal connection between sound and gameplay.
The move reflects a wider trend in gaming culture, where music is increasingly becoming an integral part of how fans engage with esports. In particular, Spotify's data shows Saudi Arabia has the highest share of music streamed via gaming consoles on the platform globally, underscoring the local appetite for crossover experiences.
Mohammed Al Nimer, Chief Commercial Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, said:
'Our partnership with Spotify extends the Esports World Cup experience beyond the arena, inviting fans into the heart of the tournament through music and sound. This brings our EWC Music vision to life — blending original music, global artists, and fan-driven playlists to celebrate our unique ecosystem.'
Akshat Harbola, Spotify's Managing Director for MENAP, added: 'We're thrilled to partner with the Esports World Cup, a global event that shares our passion for music, fandom, and culture. In fact, Saudi Arabia has the highest share of music streamed via gaming consoles on our platform globally — a clear signal that music is a core part of the gaming experience here. Together, we're creating iconic experiences and content that inspire and elevate the gaming community.'
Music will feature prominently at the EWC 2025 Opening Ceremony on 10 July, which will be headlined by Post Malone and include a live performance of Till My Fingers Bleed by DINO of SEVENTEEN, Duckwrth, and Telle Smith. GRAMMY-nominated producer Alesso and cellist Tina Guo will also appear.
The Esports World Cup 2025 is set to feature 2,000 players from over 100 countries, representing 200 clubs across 25 tournaments with a prize pool exceeding $70m.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The National
3 hours ago
- The National
A guide to the Esports World Cup's Festival: Celebration of gaming and culture in Riyadh
As esports takes centre stage in Saudi Arabia this summer, Boulevard Riyadh City is hosting one of the most ambitious gaming and culture events the world has seen. Spanning more than 50,000 square metres, the Esports World Cup Festival is more than a companion to the ongoing competitive tournaments – it is a curated experience designed to immerse fans of all ages in the world of gaming. From nostalgic zones and cutting-edge simulations to cultural performances and interactive installations, the festival places gaming culture firmly in the spotlight. Speaking to The National at this year's event, Prince Faisal bin Bandar, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, says he is particularly proud of the effort that went into expanding the festival experience. 'It gives something to casual gamers and non-gamers alike – a place where people can spend the whole day, not just come to watch a match and leave,' Prince Faisal says. 'We told game developers – don't just bring your esport, bring a showcase of who you are. Let's spotlight the entire experience, not just gameplay.' Open daily from 6pm to 2am, the festival runs alongside the main Esports World Cup competitions, welcoming visitors with a ticketed pass and an invitation to explore the full breadth of modern and retro gaming. A journey through gaming history The festival begins with a nostalgic walk through the decades. The retro gaming zones are among the most visited areas, inviting fans to reconnect with the titles that defined their childhoods. In the 1980s Zone, visitors can play on vintage consoles such as the Atari and original Nintendo Entertainment System, surrounded by cassette tapes, retro televisions and neon decor. Next door, the 1990s Zone celebrates the cartridge era with functional Super Nintendo, Sega Saturn, Dreamcast and PlayStation One consoles, all set within themed displays that highlight gaming's rapid evolution. A wall of 1980s movie posters, a collection of cassette players and classic arcade cabinets – including Street Fighter and NBA Jam – complete the throwback experience. Active play and movement-based gaming One of the more innovative areas of the festival is its focus on physical engagement. The CycloBeat 3.0 installation features four exercise bikes connected to a rhythm-based gaming screen, blending fitness with fun. The Run Beat Challenge uses manual treadmills to simulate game-like races across dynamic environments. The iWall, a motion-sensing screen, encourages full-body play through a selection of digital mini-games – no controller required. Meanwhile, Valo Climb and Valo Arena add augmented reality to the mix. In Valo Climb, players scale a real wall enhanced with digital targets. At Valo Arena, up to six participants compete inside a 360-degree projected environment, using physical gestures and reflexes to win. Casual competitions and esports-lite experiences For those eager to test their skills, the festival includes scaled-down versions of some of the world's biggest esports titles. The Valorant Challenge Range allows visitors to sharpen their aim in a timed shootout, while League of Legends fans can engage in one-on-one duels or Aram mini matches. Leaderboards track top scores, encouraging friendly competition, while fast turn-arounds keep lines moving. The Valvoline SynPower Challenge is a light-hearted mobile racing mini-game, where players steer with tilt controls, avoid potholes and drop virtual oil for speed boosts – a hit with families. Content creators and community interaction At the heart of the festival is the Content Creator Park, where fans can watch their favourite streamers compete live in games such as Fortnite Zero Build, EA Sports FC 25, Rocket League and Codenames. Many creators have travelled from around the world to take part, with interactive meet-and-greets adding to the excitement. Nearby, the Publisher Park and Riot Games Store offer themed merchandise, exclusive collectibles and a Valorant-inspired milkshake bar. Mini games and Teamfight Tactics challenges round out the area. Digital motorsport and car culture Petrolheads will enjoy the Jameel Motorsport Park, where visitors can customise replica car parts – such as spoilers and mirrors – for a daily design competition. Winning entries are displayed throughout the venue. The Aramco Sim Arena brings Formula One action to Riyadh, with a life-size Aston Martin F1 show car and 20 high-end motion simulators that offer an intense, realistic driving experience. These simulators, equipped with full-motion support and immersive sound, are a festival highlight. Puzzle solving and immersive storytelling For those seeking a mental challenge, the HMG Maze Challenge offers a labyrinth of eight rooms, each with its own timed puzzle. Visitors compete in groups to escape the fastest, blending social interaction with cognitive tests. Meanwhile, Eva, a digital storytelling installation, provides a more reflective experience. Exploring themes of artificial intelligence, memory and choice, the exhibit draws visitors into an emotional journey told through an interactive conversation with a sentient machine – all brought to life with atmospheric audio-visual design. Culture, performance and heritage In Japan Park, hosted by anime streaming service Crunchyroll, visitors can witness the Ainu Sword Dance by Daiki Hiramura. Performed on select nights, the dance – inspired by the anime Golden Kamuy – celebrates indigenous Japanese storytelling and tradition. The Aramco History Wall offers a quieter moment, showcasing the company's journey through large-scale installations and archival exhibits that highlight the intersection of technology, innovation and cultural heritage. Watch parties and esports documentaries At the Watch Party Pavilion, fans can gather to watch esports matches live on large screens, with special appearances by streamers including Tyler1, Mixwell, TimTheTatman and Scump. The newly released docuseries, This Machine, filmed on-site during the tournament, is also screening at the venue. Streaming on Amazon Prime, the series provides a rare look into the personal stories of professional players – their challenges, sacrifices and the support networks that power them. Entry, food and services Festival access is available to anyone with a valid Esports World Cup Weekly Pass or individual Esports Stage tickets. The All-Access Pass offers fast-track privileges and a merchandise bundle. Food stalls and cafes are spread throughout the grounds, offering both Saudi and international cuisine. Medical facilities, prayer rooms, rest zones and accessible entrances ensure that all visitors are well accommodated. The Esports World Cup and its accompanying festival run until 24 August at Boulevard Riyadh City


Zawya
9 hours ago
- Zawya
Bigo Live named official streaming partner of the Esports World Cup 2025
The world's biggest esports event returns this summer with the continued livestreaming partnership, bringing seven blockbuster titles, star-studded performances, and immersive viewer experiences to fans across MENA and Central Asia. Dubai, UAE – Bigo Live, the global livestreaming platform, is proud to return as the official streaming partner of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, reaffirming its commitment to the MENA region's vibrant esports scene. For the first time, Bigo Live will also extend its reach to Uzbekistan, marking a key step in broadening its regional footprint. This milestone comes at a pivotal moment for the region, as Saudi Arabia ramps up investment in gaming and esports under its Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to generate over USD [1] 13 billion in economic value and position the Kingdom as a global epicentre for interactive entertainment. Across MENA, the esports market is witnessing unprecedented growth, driven by a youthful population and rising smartphone penetration. Hosted in Riyadh from July 8 to August 24, the Esports World Cup features over 20 of the most popular competitive gaming titles worldwide. As the official streaming partner, Bigo Live is authorized to broadcast seven marquee titles, including Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Free Fire, EA Sports FC 25, and PUBG Mobile. The event kicked off last Thursday with a star-studded opening ceremony, featuring performances by global artists and a highly anticipated guest appearance by Post Malone during the invitational segment. Last year's tournament attracted more than [2] 6.9 million peak viewers globally, with even larger audiences expected in 2025. With over 500 million users across the world, Bigo Live has emerged as a leading platform for interactive content and gaming communities. During past esports tournaments, the platform achieved a total of 260 million impressions across both in-app and external channels, underscoring its growing role in delivering large-scale live events to diverse audiences. Bigo Live has been a launchpad for countless creators, and Restart from Egypt is a shining example. His commentary during the EWC 2024 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang women's tournament watch party on Bigo Live not only energized the community but also drew over 1,000 hours of total viewer watch time in one session. What began as a passion for gaming has grown into a career, with Bigo Live playing a key role in that journey. Now the manager of Team Ultra Legends, Restart reflects: 'Over five years on Bigo Live, I've grown tremendously—both as a gamer and a commentator. The platform gave me the space to evolve, compete, and eventually lead a professional team at EWC.' This year, Bigo Live is rolling out a dedicated two-month in-app campaign, offering fans across MENA a central hub for livestream schedules, tournament highlights, and curated content. The platform's localized coverage delivered through livestream rooms like MENA Gaming Community, MENA Gaming Esport, and MLBBMENA Esports will bring the action closer to home for regional audiences. 'We're proud to continue our partnership with the Esports World Cup, a collaboration that goes beyond streaming and reflects our shared commitment to shaping the future of esports and interactive entertainment,' said Ian Goh, Director for the MENA Region at BIGO Technology. 'As gaming and livestreaming converge, we see enormous potential to empower creators, connect global audiences, and contribute to the region's emergence as a world-class hub for digital innovation. The momentum building in MENA and Central Asia is inspiring, and we're excited for Bigo Live to play a meaningful role in this transformation.' To further engage audiences, Bigo Live will launch EWC-themed giveaways, including custom avatar frames, online gifts, and entrance effects. A hand-picked lineup of top creators from across MENA will also bring the tournament to life through live content, showcasing the creativity and passion of regional gaming communities. With global esports viewership projected to surpass [3] 700 million viewers by 2026, this collaboration underscores a shared belief in the transformative potential of gaming and livestreaming as catalysts for digital innovation. As esports solidifies its position as one of the fastest-growing sectors in global entertainment, the partnership between Bigo Live and the Esports World Cup extends beyond streaming. Together, they are redefining how fans engage with global tournaments, empowering creators, and advancing the gaming and livestreaming landscape across MENA, Central Asia, and beyond. About BIGO Live: Bigo Live is one of the world's fastest-growing live-streaming social communities where users broadcast in real-time to share life moments, showcase their talents, and interact with people from around the world. Bigo Live has around 500 million users in over 150 countries and is currently the market leader in the live streaming industry. Launched in March 2016, Bigo Live is owned by Bigo Technology, based in Singapore. [1] Saudi Arabia stands to gain US$13.3 billion from Esports and gaming by 2030 [2] Worlds 2024: Esports Viewership Records Shattered [3] eSports Viewership Statistics 2025 – Demographics & Growth


Arabian Business
a day ago
- Arabian Business
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Saudi Arabia is different,' says Esports World Cup CEO; Riyadh tops LA, Seoul in global gaming
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince publicly identifies as a gamer – a unique advantage that traditional esports capitals such as Los Angeles and Seoul do not match, according to the CEO of the Esports World Cup. 'What is different in Saudi Arabia [is] that it has a head of state, the Crown Prince, who himself publicly has identified as a gamer,' Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup, said in an exclusive interview with Arabian Business. 'I think in the rest of the world, we're still living in a world where the head of states, or not all leadership has grown up with video games.' This political backing, Reichert argued, gives Riyadh a decisive advantage over traditional esports capitals like Los Angeles or Seoul. The kingdom's young population and relatively young leader create a 'cultural, political basis' that puts 'esports right front and centre,' he explained. Building a lasting esports ecosystem For the Esports World Cup, the ambition is as big as the prize pool – turn gamers into global superstars and make the platform a single unifying force in a fragmented industry. 'The core, core goal of the Esports World Cup itself is number one, elevating the industry,' Reichert said. 'If you look back at the history of esports, it has grown continuously. It has jumped through a lot of hoops and made a lot of steps forward. But what was missing was this one uniting tournament that brings all the best games together. This is the role of the Esports World Cup.' The inaugural edition, now underway in Riyadh, is already the largest esports event ever staged, attracting thousands of players and fans from around the globe. The choice of Riyadh as host city reflects more than just infrastructure. Reichert pointed to widespread government support – from special esports visas, to the city's branding and even mobile networks displaying 'Esports World Cup' on devices – as proof of how seriously Saudi Arabia is investing in the sector. 'It goes through any touchpoint you can have with the city and the government, that the Esports World Cup is right front and centre, which just shows how welcoming and supportive the country, the city of Riyadh, is from a structural perspective,' he added. For Reichert, the Esports World Cup is not just about competition, but about creating an ecosystem that can sustain careers, clubs, and publishers alike. 'It all starts with the players, where we want to make them global superstars and actually enable them to follow their passion as a job. That's why we have our life-changing prize,' he said. Reichert envisions the tournament becoming among the largest sports event in the world within the next decade, positioning it as an 'unparalleled' gathering where 'people can come together without borders.' Looking ahead, Reichert envisions the Esports World Cup becoming one of the biggest sporting events and perhaps the largest global gathering of any kind. 'It will be among the largest sports events in the world, which is our clear goal as well. And it will be one point in time where, probably unparalleled, people can come together without borders,' he said. 'One of the big differences in gaming is that even when you play your everyday match, you don't have borders. Everyone who competes in esports by itself is a global citizen, and then participating and visiting esports tournaments, therefore, always has this extra community feeling. And therefore it should be the biggest community gathering in the world.' The initiative includes life-changing prize pools, a club programme designed to bring stability to the ecosystem, and significant investment in broadcast networks. For Reichert personally, gaming remains a family affair. He plays Dota and Clash Royale with his children, 'I hope my kids make it something,' he said with a laugh. Reichert said outsiders often fail to grasp how embedded gaming already is in Middle Eastern culture. 'Gaming is so deeply cultural, rooted in the Middle East that it's very hard to find someone who hasn't gamed or doesn't game,' he said. 'It's much harder than to find someone who does not game, right? 70 per cent plus of the Saudi population are gamers. It's a social fabric that is connecting people across the Middle East, across the world, across families, and across any border you can think of.' Riyadh hosts record-breaking Esports World Cup The 2025 Esports World Cup is taking place this summer in Riyadh as the largest competitive gaming tournament ever staged, featuring more than 24 game titles, 2,000 athletes, 200 teams, and a record-breaking $70 million prize pool — the biggest in esports history. Running for seven weeks at Riyadh Boulevard City, the event has drawn thousands of players and fans, with millions more watching online through its global broadcast network. Within the next decade, Reichert expects the Esports World Cup to evolve dramatically and grow in global relevance over the next decade. 'It will be among the largest sports events in the world, which is our clear goal as well,' he said. He believes esports has a unique ability to transcend borders in a way traditional sports cannot. 'Even when you play your everyday match, unlike in other sports, you don't have borders. Everyone who competes in esports by itself is a global citizen,' he explained. That sense of global connection, he said, is what makes esports special — and what he hopes the World Cup will embody. 'Participating and visiting esports tournaments always has this extra community feeling,' Reichert said. 'And therefore it should be the biggest community gathering in the world.'