Saudi Arabia Gears up for 1st Esports World Cup with Over 2,500 Contestants in July 

Riyadh is set to host the first-ever edition of the Esports World Cup from July 4 to August 25. (Esports World Cup)
Riyadh is set to host the first-ever edition of the Esports World Cup from July 4 to August 25. (Esports World Cup)
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Saudi Arabia Gears up for 1st Esports World Cup with Over 2,500 Contestants in July 

Riyadh is set to host the first-ever edition of the Esports World Cup from July 4 to August 25. (Esports World Cup)
Riyadh is set to host the first-ever edition of the Esports World Cup from July 4 to August 25. (Esports World Cup)

Riyadh is set to host the first-ever edition of the Esports World Cup from July 4 to August 25.

The thrilling competition will bring together more than 2,500 male and female players representing elite teams and clubs at Boulevard Riyadh City. The event features a staggering $60 million prize pool, the largest in esports history.

Powered by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), the tournament aims to propel the esports industry forward while creating promising opportunities for players and multi-team clubs.

With such an unprecedented prize pool, the cup is poised to become a milestone for the EWCF, which seeks to attract top talent and celebrate the popularity of this exhilarating field.

The Esports World Cup, the largest event in esports history, will unite the global e-gaming community, including players, fans, game producers, and publishers, with a focus on fostering connections and collaborations. Partners, producers, and publishers will have a unique opportunity to engage with a diverse fan base on a global scale.

The event aims to support the efforts of Saudi Arabia and the global community in elevating esports and highlighting its positive impact on societies and lifestyles.

It will also play a vital role in promoting cultural exchange and encouraging brands and companies to invest in the esports world.



Premier League Rejects City Request to Delay Next Season’s Games after Club World Cup

Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester City - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - September 28, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester City - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - September 28, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts. (Reuters)
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Premier League Rejects City Request to Delay Next Season’s Games after Club World Cup

Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester City - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - September 28, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester City - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - September 28, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts. (Reuters)

The Premier League has rejected Manchester City's request to postpone the first two games of the 2025-26 season to help the players recover after their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the US, the club's manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.

City and Chelsea are the two English clubs who have qualified for the expanded month-long Club World Cup set to start on June 15. The Premier League's season will begin in August.

An increasingly packed football calendar has been a concern among a growing number of players and managers. A report by global players' union FIFPRO said some players get only 12% of the year to rest.

The Premier League did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

City midfielder Rodri said in September that players could be close to strike action over the time they are required to play. A knee ligament injury has since put him out for the season.

"I don’t know if we will play more games than the treble year (2022-23)... maybe we'll play less games," Guardiola told reporters.

"The Premier League has not allowed us to postpone the first two games for our recovery. Thank you so much. They don't postpone these games so that will be the moment of, oh, what do we have to do?"

He said the Club World Cup will make it even more difficult for clubs to manage player workload.