Saudi Arabia hosts the globe’s largest esports event, featuring over 2,000 players and an unprecedented $70 million prize pool.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 officially commenced on 8 July in Riyadh, marking the beginning of the largest esports tournament ever held. This seven-week global spectacle transforms the Saudi capital into a vibrant centre for gaming, culture, and community engagement.
The festival, located at Boulevard Riyadh City, offers a diverse array of innovative experiences. Highlights include the Aramco SIM Arena for advanced car racing simulations, alongside the stc Arena and Amazon Arena, which host community competitions. Additionally, a Content Creator Park, a main stage for family entertainment, and themed zones like the Jameel Motorsport Park are available.
Running until 24 August, the EWC 2025 builds on the success of its 2024 predecessor. This year’s tournament showcases premier competitions in popular titles such as VALORANT, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and Apex Legends. The innovative Club Championship format also continues, rewarding clubs for multi-title performance to determine the world’s leading esports organisation.
The Esports World Cup 2025 brings together elite players and teams from over 100 countries. More than 2,000 professional players representing 200 premier clubs will compete across 25 tournaments spanning 24 esports titles.
A record-breaking prize pool exceeding USD $70 million is on offer, the largest in esports history. A significant portion of the prize money, $27 million, is allocated for the Club Championship, with $7 million for the winning club. Individual game tournaments will feature a collective prize pool of over $38 million.
The EWC is poised to be a global celebration of esports, uniting diverse communities and showcasing the industry’s rapid expansion. The global esports audience is projected to reach over 318 million people in 2025, with the market value estimated at approximately US$4.8 billion.
Source: Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Esports World Cup Foundation
