The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) launched the opening press conference for the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh on Tuesday, officially marking the start of what organisers describe as the world’s largest esports and gaming festival.
Running until Aug. 24, the event features more than 2,000 players, 25 tournaments across 24 game titles, and a record-breaking prize pool of more than $70 million.
Meanwhile, the competition brings together 200 of the world’s top clubs in a cross-title format. The centrepiece is the Club Championship, in which teams earn points across multiple games. The winning club will claim a $7 million grand prize and the EWC Club Championship trophy.
Mega prize
The total prize pool includes over $38 million for individual game tournaments, $5 million in global qualifier rewards, and $450,000 in MVP bonuses.
“Guided by the vision and leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia is cementing its position as a global leader in gaming and esports,” said HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation. “The Esports World Cup reflects that progress. We are proud to welcome the world to Riyadh once again.”
Prince Faisal added that the event supports the Kingdom’s broader goals to diversify the economy and position itself as a global hub for sports and entertainment, in line with Vision 2030 and the National Gaming and Esports Strategy.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said the tournament aims to unite fans and players through elite competition and immersive storytelling. “This summer is special — not just for gamers, but for everyone who joins us,” he said.
Faisal bin Homran, Chief Product Officer at EWCF, described the event as a transformative platform for teams, brands, and publishers. “The Esports World Cup is redefining what’s possible in esports,” he said.
Worth mentioning, the tournament officially kicks off on July 10 with an opening ceremony featuring performances by Post Malone, DINO of K-pop group SEVENTEEN, and DJ Alesso.
Related topics:
Riyadh Roars: Esports World Cup Returns with Unprecedented Scale
Saudi Esports Federation, PUBG Mobile Partner to Boost Gaming Ecosystem
Saudi Arabia to Host Inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2027
