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Esports World Cup 2025 Officially Kicks Off in Riyadh

Esports World Cup 2025 Officially Kicks Off in Riyadh

Gulf Insider10-07-2025
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) marked the start of the world's largest esports and gaming festival. Running until the 24th of August, the Esports World Cup (EWC) features more than 2000 elite players, 25 tournaments across 24 leading titles, and a record-breaking prize pool of over $70 million!
This summer, the Esports World Cup 2025 is raising the bar for global competition, uniting the top 200 Clubs from around the world in a groundbreaking cross-title format. At the centre of the action is the Club Championship, a high-stakes contest where teams earn points across multiple games to battle for the ultimate title of EWC Club Champion.
Apart from bragging rights, the champions will take home a staggering $7 million grand prize, along with the honour of lifting the coveted Club Championship trophy. In total, the event boasts a record-breaking $70+ million prize.
HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, said: 'This event stands as a global milestone for esports by showcasing the scale, ambition, and future of competitive gaming. It is a moment that will shape the direction of the industry for years to come.'
He emphasised that hosting the tournament in Riyadh again shows how committed the Kingdom is to building a top-tier, sustainable esports scene. It's all part of a broader effort to use gaming as a way to connect people and inspire younger generations, while supporting the goals of Vision 2030 to diversify the economy and make Saudi Arabia a global centre for sports, gaming, and entertainment.
Esports, he said, is no longer a niche interest; it's a global movement, and the Esports World Cup is the biggest and most unifying platform for it.
The Esports World Cup 2025 is set to be more than just a competition; it's a worldwide celebration of gaming culture. Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, put it simply: 'EWC 2025 is about bringing the gaming world together.'
He explained that this year's event is taking things to the next level with innovative global broadcasts, original content, and documentary-style storytelling. With record-breaking competition on the horizon, he said this summer will be special and not just for gamers, but for everyone taking part.
Faisal bin Homran, Chief Product Officer of the Esports World Cup Foundation, emphasised how EWC is reshaping the future of competitive gaming. 'It brings together the world's top teams to compete in the most iconic and advanced arenas, delivering a level of excitement that is unmatched across the industry,' he said.
Beyond competition, it's also a platform for major publishers, brands, and content creators to connect with global audiences and influence where the industry is headed. Looking ahead to 2025, Faisal said the team is focused on raising the bar even higher, setting new standards, driving innovation, and inviting the whole world to be part of what comes next.
The Esports World Cup has officially kicked off, with an impressive lineup at the opening ceremony in Riyadh, featuring Post Malone, DINO of SEVENTEEN, and Alesso, marking the start of a summer packed with elite competition and world-class entertainment!
READ MORE: Saudi Arabia Drives Middle East Push Into $600B Global Sports Market
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