RIYADH: The Esports World Cup Foundation announced on Thursday a record-breaking prize pool of more than $70 million for the 2025 edition of the Esports World Cup, which returns to Riyadh from July 7 to Aug. 24.
The pot is the largest in esports history, solidifying the EWC鈥檚 reputation as the ultimate global stage for competitive gaming and a key driver of long-term industry sustainability.
The massive increase in prize money, which is up $10 million from last year鈥檚 inaugural event, is driven by the foundation鈥檚 ambition to provide life-changing opportunities for players and clubs, while fostering stable and scalable careers across the esports ecosystem, organizers said.
鈥淭he record-breaking $70+ million prize pool, along with our commitment to the Club Partner Program and our multi-year publisher agreements, is a privilege to announce and validation of our purpose to elevate the industry, by giving players, clubs, publishers and all other stakeholders the stability needed to invest for future success,鈥� said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation.
鈥淲hile more than $70 million is an incredible, life-changing sum, it鈥檚 always aligned with a long-term vision rather than short-term impact. It鈥檚 not just to have more money at stake, but to create opportunities for everyone at every level of the ecosystem, and strengthen the industry for generations to come.鈥�
This year鈥檚 event will feature 25 tournaments across 24 titles, including new additions such as chess, Crossfire, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves and VALORANT.
More than 2,000 elite players and 200 top esports clubs are expected to take part in what is set to be the largest multi-title competition ever held. Tickets are now on sale at the tournament鈥檚 website.
A cornerstone of the prize distribution is the EWC Club Championship, which will allocate $27 million of the total prize pool to the top 16 performing clubs across all games. The winning club will take home $7 million.
The remainder of the fund will be split between individual Game Championships 鈥� collectively worth more than $38 million 鈥� alongside a $450,000 MVP Award pool and more than $5 million dedicated to qualifiers on the 鈥淩oad to EWC.鈥�
Last year鈥檚 event drew more than 500 million online viewers and 2.6 million in-person attendees to Riyadh鈥檚 Boulevard City, according to organizers.
Team Falcons emerged victorious in 2024鈥檚 inaugural Club Championship, amassing 5,665 points with 10 top-three finishes, including three first-place victories.
鈥淲inning the Club Championship crown and $7 million at the inaugural Esports World Cup was a defining moment for Team Falcons,鈥� said Mosaad Al-Dossary, CEO of the team.
鈥淭he opportunity to compete in front of our home fans, where they made the arenas shake with every great play, motivated us like never before, and it was an honor to secure the victory for them. We鈥檝e used the momentum and winnings from last year to build on our success and we look forward to continuing that legacy this summer.鈥�
Team Liquid, who finished second in 2024, also sees EWC 2025 as a major milestone in the industry.
鈥淐ompeting at the inaugural EWC contributed to one of the most successful competitive years in our 24-year history, securing a strong second-place finish in the EWC 2024 Club Championship,鈥� said Steve Arhancet, co-CEO of the team.
鈥淲ith our winnings, we expanded into new games like chess, strengthened our international presence in Southeast Asia and supported philanthropic initiatives. The experience, momentum and rosters we鈥檝e built over the past year put us in the perfect position to claim the championship crown at EWC 2025. We believe this to be our year.鈥�
The Esports World Cup will also see the return of the New Global Sport Conference on Aug. 23鈥�24, taking place during the event鈥檚 closing weekend in Riyadh, bringing together industry leaders and visionaries to shape the future of esports and competitive entertainment.

Faisal bin Homran told Arab News that the previous year鈥檚 tournament was successful, bringing in more tournaments and gamers for 2025. 

鈥淚 think this year is gonna be better than every aspect from experience players experience, prize, money and publisher as well. Excited everyone鈥檚 happy.鈥�

Homran highlighted that most players who thrive in the game are 鈥渁udacious gamers鈥�. 

鈥淲e are challenging the players, we are challenging the clubs, EWC no mercy when it comes to qualification. Everything is earned and nothing is granted. If you are good come and compete and win EWC.鈥�