This summer, the heart of global esports will beat in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 returns with unmatched ambition, energy, and stakes. With a record-breaking $70 million prize pool and a staggering lineup of 24 game titles – a turning point for the global games industry.

A Global Stage, a Historic Prize

At its core, the Esports World Cup is a multi-genre, elite-level competition that gathers the world’s top professional players and clubs across genres – from tactical shooters to sports sims, strategy games, fighters, and mobile titles. The 2025 edition, hosted at Riyadh Boulevard City, will host over 2,000 elite players and 200 top clubs for what is now officially the largest multi-game esports competition in history.

But what truly sets this year apart is the life-changing $70 million prize pool –  the largest ever offered in Esports. Beyond recognizing world-class talent, this level of investment sends a clear message: Esports is not just entertainment, it’s a thriving global industry with transformative potential.

A Celebration of All Things Gaming

More than just an Esports showdown, the EWC transforms Riyadh into a world-class gaming festival, stretching across 50,000 square meters. Fans, players, and visitors can expect immersive experiences, live entertainment, and community-driven competitions that go beyond the screen.

This is Esports fandom meeting gaming culture –  a space where pro competition, grassroots passion, and game-loving communities collide in real-time.

Confirmed Games for 2025: A Genre-Spanning Lineup

From iconic franchises to mobile sensations, the EWC 2025 will feature 25 tournaments across 24 games, including four brand-new additions to the roster: Chess, Crossfire, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, and VALORANT. Here’s the full confirmed list:

Alphabetical Order:

• Apex Legends
  
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
  
• Call of Duty: Warzone
  
• Chess
  
• Counter-Strike 2
  
• Crossfire
  
• Dota 2
  
• EA SPORTS FC 25
  
• FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves
  
• Free Fire
  
• Honor of Kings
  
• League of Legends
  
• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
  
• Overwatch 2
  
• PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS
  
• PUBG Mobile
  
• Rainbow Six Siege X
  
• Rennsport
  
• Rocket League
  
• StarCraft II
  
• Street Fighter 6
  
• Teamfight Tactics
  
• TEKKEN 8
  
• VALORANT
  

This lineup honors the past, dominates the present, and hints at the future of competitive gaming.

•  FPS icons like Call of Duty, Counter-Strike 2, and Crossfire headline the action-packed arena.
  
•  Honor of Kings, League of Legends and VALORANT  bring regional pride and global showdowns to center stage.
  
•  Cross-genre diversity shines with PUBG, Apex Legends, Rocket League, EA SPORTS FC 25, and classic fighting games like Street Fighter 6 and TEKKEN 8.
  
•  The mobile gaming revolution gets full spotlight with Free Fire,  Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBG Mobile.
  
• And in a beautiful twist, Chess bridges the traditional and digital worlds, showcasing strategy’s timeless appeal.
  

The Club Championship: A New Competitive Frontier

Another key highlight is the Club Championship, a groundbreaking cross-game competition that rewards not only individual game victories but also overall club performance across titles. With qualifiers open to a wide range of clubs, this format democratizes access and encourages long-term investment in esports rosters.

It’s a format that supports both elite pro teams and emerging organizations – another boost for ecosystem growth, especially in regions where clubs are just beginning to find their footing.

The World’s Biggest Stage Has Arrived

Winning at the Esports World Cup 2025 is just one chapter of a much bigger story. The true significance lies in how its unmatched scale, global spotlight, and $70 million prize pool are shaping the future of the gaming industry.

• Developers are spotlighted in a way that transcends platforms and borders.
  
• Organizations can build sustainable, cross-title strategies.
  
• New markets, especially in the Global South, can look to the EWC as proof that the games industry is worth investing in –  from infrastructure to talent pipelines and content creation.
  
• Fans and local communities are treated to world-class experiences that inspire the next generation.
  

As Riyadh lights up with LED screens, roaring crowds, and historic plays, the message is clear: this is where games meet global culture, and where industry dreams scale to reality.

Last Updated on April 13, 2025