Esports World Cup 2025 Returns to Saudi Arabia with Record-Breaking Prize PoolEsports World Cup 2025 Returns to Saudi Arabia with Record-Breaking Prize Pool

This July, the Esports World Cup (EWC) will make a comeback in Saudi Arabia, bringing together surprise new additions like CrossFire and classic games such as League of Legends, Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, and Dota 2. The event is set to attract over 2,000 players, 200 clubs, and 24 games, with a staggering prize pool of €61.5 million, marking a new historical high.

Scheduled to take place from July 7 to August 24, 2025, in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, the EWC 2025 will once again establish the country as the global hub of esports. This global extravaganza underscores the ever-growing influence and massive scale of the esports industry.

The EWC Foundation has confirmed the final schedule, which features 25 championships centered around 24 different games. The lineup includes beloved titles like League of Legends, Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, and Dota 2, as well as exciting new inclusions such as CrossFire, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and Chess, showcasing the diversity of the gaming landscape.

To maximize global exposure, the tournament schedule has been meticulously planned, with finals concentrated on weekends from Friday to Sunday, minimizing scheduling conflicts and attracting a larger international audience. Four dedicated venues will host the matches, including the "Last Chance Stage," adding an extra layer of excitement to the EWC carnival.

The highly anticipated Club Championship is a major highlight, boasting a prize pool of $27 million (€23.7 million). This innovative format rewards teams that demonstrate consistent excellence across multiple events. In 2024, Team Falcons topped the leaderboard with 5,665 points and three championship titles, followed by Team Liquid and Team BDS, setting the stage for the upcoming competition.

Ralf Reichert, President of the Esports World Cup Foundation, emphasized the continuous evolution of the event, stating that the EWC "unites gaming and esports communities in a global celebration, elevating the status of the industry and driving the sustainable development of the entire ecosystem." He also highlighted the importance of this year's "diversity and competitive level" in the participant lineup.

Significant updates have been made to the Club Championship rules: To claim the championship, teams must secure at least two top-eight finishes and win at least one event. Additionally, inter-organizational collaborations will not count towards points, compelling clubs to compete under a single identity and demonstrate true team cohesion and stability throughout the tournament.