The Road to Riyadh: Esports World Cup 2025 Unveils Unprecedented Qualification System
The Esports World Cup Foundation has just pulled back the curtain on the comprehensive qualification system
for the Esports World Cup 2025, mapping out a global “Road to EWC”
that promises an unparalleled journey for competitive gamers.
This ambitious program, featuring over 200 tournaments,
is designed to bring players from every level of the esports ecosystem to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
for the ultimate championship from July 7 through August 24, 2025.
A Global Gateway to Esports Glory
“Road to EWC is a platform for every player, Club, and community whose journey defines the spirit of competition,”
stated Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer of the Esports World Cup Foundation.
This initiative is a bold step towards sustainable growth in esports,
aiming to connect hundreds of tournaments worldwide and
provide “life-changing opportunities” for talent at all levels.
The sheer scale is staggering: the EWC 2025 will feature 25 tournaments across 24 games,
including new additions like Chess, Crossfire, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and VALORANT.
Over 2,000 elite esports players and 200 top Clubs will converge in Riyadh,
competing for an astonishing prize pool exceeding $70 million – the largest in esports history.
Diverse Paths to the World Stage
The qualification system is meticulously designed to accommodate the varied landscapes of different esports titles:
- Publisher Circuits: For major titles like League of Legends, VALORANT, Overwatch 2, and Apex Legends, established official publisher circuits such as the LEC, VCT, OWCS, and ALGS will serve as the primary qualification routes. This leverages existing, robust competitive structures.
- Open Online Qualifiers: Games such as Dota 2, Call of Duty: Warzone, PUBG, Teamfight Tactics, and StarCraft II will host open online qualifiers, providing broad accessibility for aspiring competitors.
- Community-Driven Tournaments: The fighting game community, with titles like Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and Fatal Fury, will see players qualify through beloved community-run events such as EVO Japan, Combo Breaker, and CEO.
- Region-Specific Mobile Leagues: Popular mobile titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Free Fire, PUBG MOBILE, and Honor of Kings will utilize region-specific leagues across Southeast Asia, MENA, and Latam, allowing national champions to represent their countries.
- Last Chance Qualifiers: A final wave of Last Chance Qualifiers will be held in July for select titles including Chess, EA Sports FC 25, and Overwatch 2, offering a thrilling final opportunity for breakout stars to secure their spot.
Further details on specific events and dates can be found on the official Esports World Cup website.
Beyond the Competition: Storytelling and Engagement
The “Road to EWC” is a comprehensive multi-channel marketing campaign.
This includes a calendar of original content, featuring player interviews and
behind the scenes access from qualifier events worldwide.
The goal is to highlight the stakes, talent, dedication,
and human interest stories that define the esports journey,
while also introducing EWC games to broader audiences and bringing fans closer to the action.
The Esports World Cup 2025 aims to unite gaming and esports communities globally,
culminating in Riyadh where a single Esports World Cup Champion will be crowned.
Its unique cross-game format promises to reward Clubs and players across various platforms and genres,
making it the largest celebration of esports ever conceived.
Tickets are already available for those eager to witness this historic event.
