Esports World Cup 2025 Kicks Off in Riyadh with Record Numbers
Image used for illustrative purpose. Photo: SPA
Saudi Arabia is hosting the largest Esports World Cup (EWC) ever in Riyadh. This year’s event features over 2,000 players from 200 teams across more than 100 countries. Players will compete in 25 tournaments for a total prize pool of $70 million, including games like Valorant, chess, and Fatal Fury.
The event runs from July 7 to August 24 and is expected to welcome over 2.6 million visitors, breaking last year’s attendance. Ticket sales are up 30% and international sales have tripled.
The tournament will be broadcast in more than 30 languages to over 100 countries, with support from 80 media partners. Digital viewership has also grown on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok.
This year, 40 clubs have joined the EWC Club Support Program, including new teams from China and India.
Hosting the EWC is part of Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy, which aims to create 39,000 jobs and add $13.3 billion to the economy by 2030.
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