Esports World Cup Returns to Riyadh with Record $70 Million Prize Pool
The global esports community is preparing for a monumental summer as Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, gears up to host the Esports World Cup 2025. This year’s edition of the event will set a new precedent in competitive gaming with a record-breaking prize pool of $70 million, the largest ever in the history of esports. This groundbreaking announcement reinforces Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become the central hub for international gaming, entertainment, and youth engagement.
Held under the patronage of the Esports World Cup Foundation, a Saudi government-backed initiative, the event is more than just a tournament—it is a statement of intent. From July to August 2025, Riyadh will welcome players, fans, and stakeholders from across the world for a gaming spectacle that combines competition, culture, and commercial opportunity.
A Monumental Milestone for Esports
The sheer scale of the $70 million prize pool is unprecedented. To put it into perspective, the prize pool surpasses that of all previous esports events, including Dota 2’s The International tournaments, which have historically been among the highest-paying competitions in the industry. The Esports World Cup now claims the title of the most lucrative event in competitive gaming history.
Breaking down the prize money:
- $38 million is allocated for individual game championships.
- $27 million is reserved for the Club Championship, an innovative multi-game ranking system that rewards organizations for consistent performance across different titles.
- $5 million is dedicated to qualifier events leading up to the main tournament.
- $450,000 will be awarded in Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors, showcasing individual excellence across different games.
This financial backing underscores Saudi Arabia’s strategic investment in esports, aimed at solidifying its role in the rapidly expanding global gaming industry.
Vision 2030 and the Esports Strategy
The Esports World Cup aligns directly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a national transformation plan designed to diversify the country’s economy beyond oil. Part of this vision includes the development of the digital entertainment and youth engagement sectors, both of which are addressed through the kingdom’s increasing involvement in the global gaming arena.
The Esports World Cup Foundation, which is organizing the tournament, is fully supported by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The Foundation’s mandate includes nurturing local talent, attracting global players, creating job opportunities, and making Saudi Arabia a center of gravity for esports and gaming culture.
Hosting the tournament for the second consecutive year further reinforces the Kingdom’s commitment to this vision. In 2024, the Esports World Cup drew international attention and established Riyadh as a viable destination for high-level competitive gaming. The 2025 edition aims to build on this momentum and expand the reach and influence of Saudi Arabia within the esports space.
Games, Titles, and Global Reach
The 2025 Esports World Cup will feature 25 tournaments across 24 different games, making it one of the most diverse esports events ever held. While specific titles are yet to be finalized, organizers have confirmed the inclusion of new and widely followed games such as Valorant, which makes its Esports World Cup debut, and a fascinating addition—chess.
The inclusion of chess, both online and over-the-board formats, signifies a broadened vision for the World Cup. It acknowledges the strategic overlap between traditional board games and digital gaming while also tapping into a massive global fanbase. Renowned players like Magnus Carlsen, the former World Chess Champion, and Arjun Erigaisi, a rising star in the chess world, are expected to participate, lending further prestige to the event.
Popular titles such as League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, PUBG, Fortnite, and Call of Duty are also expected to return, drawing millions of viewers through streaming platforms and in-person attendance in Riyadh.
Club Championship: A New Competitive Model
One of the key innovations of the Esports World Cup is the Club Championship concept, which awards organizations for their cumulative success across various games. This model emphasizes the holistic strength of esports clubs rather than just individual brilliance in a single game.
With $27 million allocated to the Club Championship prize pool, this initiative is set to reshape the financial and competitive structure of esports organizations. Clubs like Team Vitality, Team Falcons, T1, and Fnatic are among the many that are expected to participate across multiple game titles to maximize their winnings and global brand exposure.
This approach is also intended to incentivize long-term planning, investment in multi-game rosters, and broader fan engagement, much like traditional sports clubs that participate in multiple disciplines.
State-of-the-Art Facilities in Riyadh
The city of Riyadh has invested heavily in the necessary infrastructure to accommodate an event of this magnitude. From custom-built esports arenas to immersive fan zones, interactive exhibitions, and entertainment pavilions, the Esports World Cup will be hosted in a high-tech environment that blends competition with fan experiences.
Organizers aim to create a festival-like atmosphere, integrating concerts, celebrity appearances, food festivals, and cultural showcases alongside the core gaming events. This ecosystem of entertainment is meant to attract both casual fans and hardcore esports followers, making it a family-friendly destination during the peak summer months.
Economic Impact and Tourism Boost
Saudi Arabia is leveraging the Esports World Cup as a tool for economic diversification and tourism development. The influx of thousands of international visitors, players, teams, journalists, and content creators is expected to generate significant economic activity.
From hotel bookings and transportation to dining, shopping, and leisure activities, local businesses in Riyadh are likely to benefit from the surge in tourism. The Kingdom’s hospitality and tourism sectors, already undergoing transformation through Vision 2030, are being positioned to accommodate a growing interest in entertainment-based travel.
Moreover, the global media coverage and content generated from the event are projected to elevate Riyadh’s profile as a global city for digital culture and youth-oriented development.
A Global Signal from Saudi Arabia
The record prize pool and expanding scope of the Esports World Cup send a clear signal to the global esports industry: Saudi Arabia is serious about becoming a leader in the gaming sector. In recent years, the Kingdom has made a series of high-profile investments in esports and gaming companies, including significant stakes in Activision Blizzard, Nintendo, and Electronic Arts via the PIF.
The tournament also reflects a broader cultural shift within Saudi Arabia, where young Saudis—over 60% of the population is under the age of 35—are increasingly engaged in digital lifestyles, online platforms, and competitive gaming. By empowering local talent and simultaneously attracting global players, the Esports World Cup represents a fusion of domestic and international strategy.
The Road Ahead
The Esports World Cup is not just a one-off mega event—it is part of a long-term plan to institutionalize esports in the region. Future editions are expected to expand further, with increasing partnerships, game titles, regional qualifiers, and educational programs aimed at building a sustainable ecosystem.
Organizers have hinted at the inclusion of grassroots tournaments, scholarship programs, and training academies, turning Saudi Arabia into a regional breeding ground for esports talent. The Esports World Cup is therefore just one piece of a larger puzzle, designed to make the Kingdom not only a destination for tournaments but also a cradle of innovation and development in the gaming space.
A Cultural and Economic Game-Changer
As Riyadh prepares to host this world-class event, the broader implications are impossible to ignore. The Esports World Cup is poised to redefine the global esports calendar, raise the bar for competitive gaming, and create a long-term model that integrates sport, business, and entertainment. It will also position Saudi Arabia as a visionary leader in a space traditionally dominated by North America, Europe, and East Asia.
For gamers, teams, and fans worldwide, the message is clear: Riyadh is the new epicenter of esports excellence.
Conclusion
With a record $70 million prize pool, a diverse game lineup, and a multi-faceted event structure, the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh is more than a competition—it is a defining moment in the evolution of global esports. Backed by the ambition and resources of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Public Investment Fund, this event signals the arrival of a new era.
As the world watches, plays, and celebrates in Riyadh, the Esports World Cup will not only crown champions but also rewrite the rules of what is possible in competitive gaming.
