Amid thundering music, fireworks and buzzing drones, the inaugural matches of the 2025 Esports World Cup kicked off in Riyadh’s Boulevard City on Wednesday, drawing thousands of fans on the ground and millions more online.
Running through August 24, the global tournament offers a record-breaking prize pool of more than $70 million – the largest in the history of competitive gaming.
Saudi Esports Federation Chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan welcomed the global gaming community to the 2025 Esports World Cup, calling the tournament a growing symbol of Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a hub for the fast-rising industry.
“It’s a great honor to officially launch the 2025 Esports World Cup,” Prince Faisal said at a press conference in Riyadh. “This event has become an annual gathering for global talent and fans, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as the world capital of esports and a rising force in this dynamic region.”
Reflecting on last year’s tournament, he said the 2024 edition brought together 1,500 participants and attracted 2.6 million visitors - a first for the industry.
“But that was only the beginning,” he said. “Now, I’m thinking about legacy - what we can do to build something lasting. I’m truly grateful to be part of a team that’s bringing joy to people’s lives and uniting them through esports.”
This year’s event is expected to welcome 2,000 players, 200 teams, and over 100 professional athletes. Prince Faisal said visitor numbers could double in the coming weeks.
“This event brings together the best players, the finest clubs, the strongest teams and the most passionate fans on a single global stage,” said Faisal bin Homran, Chief Product Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation. “Tonight, I want to go beyond the surface. I want to share the deeper meaning behind esports and why we’re really here.”
He said the foundation of the Esports World Cup lies in a four-part model built around unity: clubs, teams, players, and delivering the best competitive experience.
“To bring in the most compelling games, we’ve worked closely with publishers to introduce new, high-value titles,” bin Homran added.
“Last year, we welcomed 30 elite clubs into a dedicated program. This year, we’ve expanded into new markets, especially India and China, bringing that number to 40. These clubs help tell the story of the EWC through their journeys, emotions and year-round narratives.”
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said the tournament was born from a clear, simple vision: to unite top-tier players from elite clubs worldwide and have them compete across premier titles for life-changing prizes.
The tournament's unique multi-game format is aimed at uniting the international gaming community under one banner.
According to Reichert, the impact of last year’s edition proved what’s possible when players, fans, clubs, publishers, and partners are placed at the heart of the experience. Since then, the event has grown at a pace that has exceeded expectations — not only in terms of games, but also in the scale of its global reach and media coverage.
This year’s tournament is being positioned as the most expansive yet, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, shared purpose, and building a lasting esports legacy.
Backed by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and the host city Riyadh, the event is also contributing to long-term infrastructure, economic growth, and a sustainable gaming ecosystem meant to endure well beyond the competition itself.
At its core, the 2025 Esports World Cup champions a simple yet powerful idea: unifying the global esports and gaming community across borders and titles, while creating a foundation for future generations
