The Esports World Cup (EWC) is a multi-discipline event that gathers top games and players worldwide. Hosted by the Esports World Cup Foundation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, its inaugural edition ran from June to August 2024, featuring 22 competitions across 21 games.
Now confirmed as an annual event, the EWC returns in summer 2025 with plans to expand its lineup beyond the first edition. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the first announced game, will represent the franchise, and upcoming games will be revealed through countdowns on the EWC’s website.
In an earlier statement from Riyadh, Esports World Cup Foundation CEO Ralf Reichert explained that various formats were considered, but the decision for an annual schedule aligned with the fast-paced nature of the gaming world. The goal is to establish a premier platform for clubs to compete for top honors each year.
The 2024 edition brought together 1,500 elite players from over 100 nations, with Team Falcons of Saudi Arabia claiming the Club Championship and a $7 million prize, much to the excitement of local fans.
WHAT TO EXPECT FOR THE 2025 ESPORTS WORLD CUP
Set to follow a similar July-August schedule as the 2024 series, the EWC 2025 will likely feature an even larger prize pool. Potentially reaching $100 million. The Club Championship format, rewarding teams based on overall performance points, is expected to return.
While the compact structure in 2024 kept the event’s pace lively, organizers may adjust the format to maximize viewership opportunities without compromising engagement.
PRIZE STRUCTURE
In 2024, the $60 million prize pool included $20 million for the Club Championship, with the rest distributed across individual Game Championships, MVP bounties, and Qualifiers. Each of the 22 Game Championships featured its own prize, and standout players received $50,000 MVP awards per competition. This distribution model will likely remain, with adjustments to support the expanded game roster in 2025.
TEAM QUALIFICATION FOR EWC 2025
In 2024, teams qualified through a mix of open qualifiers and direct invites, with major regional events like the FFWS Southeast Asia and MPL Indonesia serving as qualifying platforms. Games such as League of Legends and Rocket League had top-circuit invites, while Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2 used global rankings to determine participants. The 2025 edition should follow similar routes, with minor adjustments to maintain consistency with the broader esports calendar.
LOOKING BACK AT EWC 2024
The EWC 2024 entered the top five most-watched esports series of the year, surpassing 120 million hours watched. Its quick pacing sustained viewer interest, though engagement was strongest in the first three weeks. With a larger prize pool and more games, EWC 2025 aims to reach new heights in esports viewership and engagement. For ongoing updates, fans can follow Esports Charts or check EWC’s official news feeds.
