Get Ready for Riyadh: Your Guide to the Esports World Cup 2025
The world of competitive gaming is about to converge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
as the Esports World Cup 2025 prepares for its second annual iteration.
Set to run from July 7 to August 24, 2025,
this event is shaping up to be the biggest celebration of esports in history,
promising unparalleled competition,
massive prize pools,
and a fusion of gaming with mainstream entertainment.
The Grand Stage – Riyadh and the SEF Arena
For nearly two months, Riyadh will serve as the global center of esports.
The tournament will unfold at the newly built SEF Arena in Boulevard City,
a sprawling 34,000-square-meter complex featuring five halls,
including a central arena designed to host 2,200 spectators.
This dedicated venue really shows the scale and ambition of the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF).
Huge Scale and Prize Pool
The 2025 edition of the Esports World Cup is setting new benchmarks.
It will feature:
- Over 2,000 elite players
- Representing more than 200 top clubs
- Competing across 25 tournaments in 24 diverse game titles
The stakes are higher than ever, with an unprecedented prize pool of $70 million,
solidifying its position as the largest prize pool in esports history.
This figure surpasses last year’s already substantial $62.5 million,
showing the rapid financial growth and investment in the event.
A Star-Studded Lineup: Games, Talent & Ambassadors
The Esports World Cup prides itself on uniting a wide array of gaming communities:
- Diverse Game Titles: Fans can look forward to watching action across genres including shooters, strategy games, sports simulations, fighting games, and popular mobile titles. Favorites like Dota 2, League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops 6, EA Sports FC 25, and Street Fighter 6 are all on the roster.
- Exciting New Additions: The 2025 event introduces several new titles, including a blitz-format chess tournament, expected to draw grandmasters like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura. Other new competitive games include Valorant, Crossfire, and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.
- Global Ambassadors & Entertainers: The event is integrating mainstream appeal with esports. Rapper Post Malone is set to headline the opening ceremony on July 10, adding a significant entertainment component. Global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the tournament’s global ambassador for 2025, further bridging traditional sports with esports.
- Strategic Partnerships: The EWCF has secured key long-term partnerships, notably with Riot Games, covering League of Legends, Valorant, and Teamfight Tactics through 2027. Chess.com has also been confirmed as the official platform for the chess competitions, ensuring top-tier organization across all titles.
Conference and Tickets
The Esports World Cup will conclude with the New Global Sport Conference on August 23–24,
bringing together influential leaders from gaming, sports, tech,
and media for a networking and industry dialogue.
For fans looking to experience the action live, tickets are now on sale.
Weekly passes begin at $266, with daily ticket prices to be announced closer to the event’s launch.
The Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh is looking to be a landmark event,
showcasing the pinnacle of competitive gaming on an unprecedented scale.
Whether you’re a hardcore fan of a specific title or simply curious about the future of global entertainment,
this summer’s event promises something for everyone.
