萝莉视频

Top team to be crowned at ESL Saudi Challenge grand final

Esports World Cup is scheduled to return to Riyadh from July 7 through Aug. 24. supplied
Esports World Cup is scheduled to return to Riyadh from July 7 through Aug. 24. supplied
Short Url
Updated 24 sec ago

Top team to be crowned at ESL Saudi Challenge grand final

Esports World Cup is scheduled to return to Riyadh from July 7 through Aug. 24. supplied

RIYADH: The ESL Saudi Challenge 2025 reaches a thrilling climax this Friday at VOV Gaming in Riyadh, where 萝莉视频鈥檚 top Overwatch 2 teams are set to battle for regional supremacy and a place on the global stage.

The high-stakes tournament will see Team Vision take on Al-Qadsiah in a best-of-five showdown, with the winner advancing to face reigning champions Twisted Minds in a best-of-seven grand final.聽

With qualification for the Overwatch Champions Series and the Esports World Cup at stake, the event is being hailed as a defining moment for the Kingdom鈥檚 esports scene.

This year鈥檚 ESL Saudi Challenge is playing a crucial role in 萝莉视频鈥檚 evolving esports ecosystem. More than just a tournament, it serves as a direct pathway to international competition while highlighting the rising caliber of local talent.

Organized by ESL FACEIT Group, the world鈥檚 leading esports and video game entertainment company, the tournament reflects the Kingdom鈥檚 broader ambitions to become a global gaming hub.

EFG was acquired in 2022 by Savvy Games Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of 萝莉视频鈥檚 Public Investment Fund, in a $1.5 billion deal aimed at accelerating the growth of esports in the region.

The ESL Saudi Challenge is a key pillar in that strategy, with EFG also serving as the main operating partner for the Esports World Cup over the next five years. The group鈥檚 involvement marks a long-term vision to build a world-class esports infrastructure in 萝莉视频 and provide new opportunities for players, fans and creators alike.

Viewers can tune in to the action live on ESL Arabia鈥檚 official channels across X, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. As anticipation builds for Friday鈥檚 final, the event promises not only elite-level Overwatch 2 gameplay, but a powerful statement of intent from a nation rapidly becoming a leader in global esports.


Riyadh to host Apex Legends and FC Pro finals at Esports World Cup 2025

EA鈥檚 top circuits arrive in Riyadh as ALGS and FC Pro take the stage. supplied
EA鈥檚 top circuits arrive in Riyadh as ALGS and FC Pro take the stage. supplied
Updated 26 May 2025

Riyadh to host Apex Legends and FC Pro finals at Esports World Cup 2025

EA鈥檚 top circuits arrive in Riyadh as ALGS and FC Pro take the stage. supplied
  • The addition of two of EA鈥檚 most prestigious competitive circuits further elevates the Esports World Cup鈥檚 standing as a premier global platform for elite esports
  • The 2025 edition of the Esports World Cup will bring together 2,000 top players and 200 clubs from more than 100 countries

RIYADH: The Esports World Cup Foundation and Electronic Arts have confirmed that the Apex Legends Global Series Midseason Playoffs and the FC Pro World Championship for EA SPORTS FC 25 will take place this summer at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh.

The addition of two of EA鈥檚 most prestigious competitive circuits further elevates the Esports World Cup鈥檚 standing as a premier global platform for elite esports. Both tournaments have previously headlined packed arenas and now join a growing lineup that continues to attract the industry鈥檚 most influential titles and top-tier talent.

Apex Legends returns to Riyadh after a successful 2024 debut that featured a dramatic 13-game final in which 12 teams were still in contention for the title. The 2025 ALGS Midseason Playoffs will run from July 10-13, bringing 40 of the world鈥檚 best squads to compete for a $2 million prize pool.

The event opens with Pool Play on July 10 and 11, dividing teams into two groups of 20 for 10 matches. The top seven from each group will advance directly to the Match Point Finals on July 13. Teams ranked eighth to 17th will battle for the final six spots through the Last Chance Semifinals on July 12.

The tournament winner will take home $600,000 and earn 1,000 valuable ALGS Championship Points toward year-end qualification.

The FC Pro World Championship will be staged from Aug. 7-10, featuring the best EA SPORTS FC players competing for a $1.5 million prize pool. A Last Chance Qualifier will precede the main event from July 31 to Aug. 3, offering 512 participants a final shot at reaching the Play-Ins. From there, 48 players will contend for the last four spots in the championship.

The Group Stage begins Aug. 7, with 32 players advancing into playoff action on Aug. 9. The tournament concludes on Aug. 10 with the quarterfinals, semifinals, a third-place match and the grand final. The eventual champion will claim $250,000.

The return of the Last Chance Qualifier follows one of the most memorable stories from EWC 2024, when Joao 鈥渏afonsogv鈥 Vasconcelos made an incredible run from qualifier to champion.

With more than 500 players expected to take part in this year鈥檚 LCQ, the stakes are higher than ever. Among the returning stars will be defending champion Anders Vejrgang, who headlines a field representing some of the world鈥檚 most prominent football and esports clubs.

鈥淭he ALGS and FC Pro are two of the most competitive and globally recognized circuits in esports,鈥 said Fabian Scheuermann, chief games officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation. 鈥淭ogether with EA, we鈥檙e opening doors for players at every level 鈥 from grassroots to elite 鈥 to compete on the world鈥檚 biggest stage. We鈥檙e looking forward to football and esports clubs coming together at the Esports World Cup through FC Pro, and excited to bring ALGS to Riyadh after the incredible response last year. This is the future of esports as a global sport 鈥 and we鈥檙e just getting started.鈥

The 2025 edition of the Esports World Cup will bring together 2,000 top players and 200 clubs from more than 100 countries. More than 25 tournaments will be contested across 24 different games, with a combined prize pool exceeding $70 million 鈥 the largest in esports history.


How Al-Qadsiah Esports went from underdogs to contenders in Saudi eLeague

How Al-Qadsiah Esports went from underdogs to contenders in Saudi eLeague
Updated 22 May 2025

How Al-Qadsiah Esports went from underdogs to contenders in Saudi eLeague

How Al-Qadsiah Esports went from underdogs to contenders in Saudi eLeague
  • Newcomers clinched 4 titles across 9 tournaments, challenging established giants Twisted Minds and Team Falcons
  • Al-Qadsiah Esports rose to second place in elite rankings after victories in top titles

RIYADH: Al-Qadsiah Esports has made a powerful entrance into the 2025 Saudi eLeague, the Kingdom鈥檚 premier esports league organized by the Saudi Esports Federation and hosted at the SEF Arena. With standout performances across multiple titles, Al-Qadsiah has quickly established itself as one of the strongest teams in the league, announcing loud and clear that they are not just taking part, but aiming to dominate.

In a blistering start to the 2025 Saudi eLeague season, which featured nine tournaments, Al-Qadsiah stormed through the field to seize four championship titles, sending a clear message to every club in the league. Their elite roster dominated Major 1 elite tournaments in EA SPORTS FC 25, Overwatch 2 and Valorant, showcasing talent, strategic depth and multi-genre versatility that few teams could match.

Further cementing their dominance, Al-Qadsiah Corals, the organization鈥檚 female team, secured their first title in Overwatch 2 Major 1 Female, defeating Twisted Minds Orchid in a dramatic 4鈥3 final, marking a milestone moment in the club鈥檚 growing legacy.

Abdullah Al-Nasser, head of esports products at the Saudi Esports Federation said: 鈥淎l-Qadsiah Esports has delivered the kind of breakout performance that captures exactly what the Saudi eLeagues were built to showcase. Their rise isn鈥檛 just a win for the club, it鈥檚 a signal of how far local talent has come, and how fiercely it鈥檚 beginning to compete. The growth we鈥檙e witnessing across the league reflects a deeper ecosystem maturing fast. Our vision is to see more Saudi clubs not just show up, but rise, lead, and make their mark on both regional and global stages.鈥

Al-Qadsiah鈥檚 performance places them second on the Saudi eLeague Clubs Cross Game Leaderboard, positioned between two of the most dominant names in Saudi esports, with Twisted Minds holding the top spot and Team Falcons trailing in third. The breakout momentum from Al-Qadsiah signals a clear shift in the competitive balance of the Saudi eLeague, as a new wave of Saudi teams rise through the ranks, challenging the longstanding hierarchy and reshaping the competitive scene within the Kingdom.

With momentum building and eyes on the top spot, all signs point to Al-Qadsiah pushing for the throne.


ESL Saudi Challenge 2025 offers Saudi teams shot at Esports World Cup glory

the tournament features eight elite Saudi teams battling for a share of the $20,000 prize pool. supplied
the tournament features eight elite Saudi teams battling for a share of the $20,000 prize pool. supplied
Updated 19 May 2025

ESL Saudi Challenge 2025 offers Saudi teams shot at Esports World Cup glory

the tournament features eight elite Saudi teams battling for a share of the $20,000 prize pool. supplied
  • Top Overwatch 2 squads compete for $20k prize and place in the global circuit

Riyadh: 萝莉视频鈥檚 burgeoning esports scene takes another significant step forward as the ESL Saudi Challenge 2025 kicks off, spotlighting the Kingdom鈥檚 top Overwatch 2 talent and offering a direct path to the Esports World Cup.

Organized by ESL FACEIT Group, a Savvy Games Group company, the tournament features eight elite Saudi teams battling for a share of the $20,000 prize pool. But more than just the money is on the line 鈥 the winning team will earn a coveted spot in the Overwatch Champions Series, a premier international circuit that feeds into the EWC.

鈥淭he ESL Saudi Challenge is more than just a local tournament; it鈥檚 a strategic platform that offers players a genuine opportunity to reach the global stage,鈥 said Franck Guignery, senior vice president of Middle East and North Africa at ESL FACEIT Group. 鈥淎s an official operating partner of the EWC, ESL FACEIT Group is committed to building professional pathways and empowering local talent to represent 萝莉视频 in the international esports scene.鈥

The initiative is closely aligned with 萝莉视频鈥檚 national strategy to develop a sustainable esports ecosystem and position the Kingdom as a global hub for competitive gaming.

This year鈥檚 tournament will culminate with the grand final on May 30 at VOV Gaming in Riyadh, where the top three teams from the May 13鈥16 playoffs will compete live in front of a home crowd.

With high stakes and international exposure on offer, the ESL Saudi Challenge has become a proving ground for players looking to make the leap from national heroes to global contenders.


Saudi Esports Federation, PUBG MOBILE unite to forge new era for Kingdom鈥檚 esports scene

Champion of PUBG MOBILE National Championship KSA will be sent to $3m PUBG MOBILE World Cup. supplied
Champion of PUBG MOBILE National Championship KSA will be sent to $3m PUBG MOBILE World Cup. supplied
Updated 30 April 2025

Saudi Esports Federation, PUBG MOBILE unite to forge new era for Kingdom鈥檚 esports scene

Champion of PUBG MOBILE National Championship KSA will be sent to $3m PUBG MOBILE World Cup. supplied
  • Partnership creates unprecedented opportunities for Saudi players, fueling record participation
  • Champion of PUBG MOBILE National Championship KSA will be sent to $3m PUBG MOBILE World Cup

Riyadh: The Saudi Esports Federation, the national body of esports in the Kingdom, and PUBG MOBILE, one of the world鈥檚 most popular mobile games, announced the signing of a landmark memorandum of understanding, marking a pivotal moment in the development of the Kingdom鈥檚 esports ecosystem.

The strategic alliance aligns PUBG MOBILE鈥檚 local community with the SEF鈥檚 national esports development objectives, and is expected to create unprecedented opportunities for Saudi players.

It integrates the PUBG MOBILE National Championship into the SEF鈥檚 Saudi eLeague, making it the main PUBG MOBILE competition within the national circuit. This alignment strengthens the SEF鈥檚 grassroots-to-pro structure and embeds PMNC as a core component of 萝莉视频鈥檚 official esports calendar.

The MoU has already yielded record-breaking results, further streamlining the pathway from amateur to professional for aspiring Saudi players.

In addition to PMNC鈥檚 role, the partnership encompasses broader development through the SEF Academy and university leagues 鈥 ensuring a structured and sustainable talent pipeline for PUBG MOBILE players in 萝莉视频.

And as a direct consequence of the collaboration, the champion of PMNC KSA, held within SEL, will now earn a coveted spot to compete at the prestigious PUBG MOBILE World Cup, held as part of the Esports World Cup later this year.

The PMWC boasts a staggering $3 million prize pool, solidifying its position as one of the most sought-after global PUBG MOBILE tournaments, with the opportunity representing a monumental step for Saudi players by offering them a chance to showcase their skills on the world stage and to compete for a life-changing prize.

鈥淭hrough strategic collaborations with leading titles such as PUBG MOBILE, we are expanding opportunities for our players, building sustainable pathways to international competition, and accelerating the development of a dynamic and thriving esports ecosystem,鈥 said Prince Faisal Bin Bandar, president of the federation.

鈥淲e are proud to see Saudi talent rise to the global stage and look forward to inspiring future generations to pursue esports excellence,鈥 he added.

Vincent Wang, head of PUBG MOBILE Publishing, Tencent Games, said that PUBG MOBILE 鈥渋s deeply committed to fostering the growth of esports in 萝莉视频, and this MoU with the Saudi Esports Federation is a testament to that commitment.

鈥淲e are thrilled to provide the Kingdom鈥檚 players a clear pathway to the global stage, starting with the PMNC KSA champion鈥檚 journey to the PUBG MOBILE World Cup. We believe this partnership will unlock the immense potential of Saudi esports and inspire a new generation of champions,鈥 he added.

The impact of the partnership is already clear, with PMNC KSA witnessing record-breaking player registrations, surpassing all previous PUBG MOBILE tournaments in the Kingdom.

鈥淏y embedding PUBG MOBILE into our structured leagues and talent development programs, we are enabling players to compete at a professional standard from an early stage,鈥 said Meshal Al-Qabbani, executive director of esports at the Saudi Esports Federation. 鈥淲e look forward to witnessing a new wave of Saudi talent rise through the ranks and achieve international success through this historic collaboration.鈥

The surge in players highlights the growing enthusiasm for PUBG MOBILE esports in 萝莉视频, as well as the strength of the collaboration between PUBG MOBILE and the SEF.

The MoU announcement coincides with the culmination of PMNC KSA, where the champion will be crowned, awarded $26,000 and have their ticket to the PMWC metaphorically punched.


Esports World Cup 2025 features $70m prize pool, 25 tournaments and global club showdown in Riyadh

Esports World Cup is scheduled to return to Riyadh from July 7 through Aug. 24. supplied
Esports World Cup is scheduled to return to Riyadh from July 7 through Aug. 24. supplied
Updated 23 April 2025

Esports World Cup 2025 features $70m prize pool, 25 tournaments and global club showdown in Riyadh

Esports World Cup is scheduled to return to Riyadh from July 7 through Aug. 24. supplied
  • A $27 million share of the prize pool is allocated to the EWC Club Championship
  • Team Falcons won the 2024 title with 5,665 points and three tournament wins

Riyadh: The Esports World Cup Foundation has finalized the full lineup of games, tournament schedule and club championship rules for the Esports World Cup 2025, the world鈥檚 largest electronic sports event, scheduled to return to Riyadh from July 7 through Aug. 24.

It will feature 200 clubs, 2,000 players, 25 tournaments across 24 titles, and a record-breaking prize pool of more than $70 million 鈥 the largest in e-sports history.

Organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation, the event includes established and newly added games such as Valorant, Crossfire, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and chess. Competitions will be held at four dedicated arenas, with select titles offering last chance qualifiers during the opening EWC Festival. Finals will be held on weekends to maximize viewership and reduce schedule conflicts.

A $27 million share of the prize pool is allocated to the EWC Club Championship, which awards points for top-eight finishes and tournament wins. To win the title, a club must place in the top eight in at least two tournaments and win at least one. Joint ventures between organizations are ineligible, with all teams required to compete under a single name.

Game-specific tournaments will distribute more than $38 million in prizes, while MVPs will be awarded from a $450,000 pool. The club champion will be crowned during the closing ceremony on Aug. 24.

Team Falcons won the 2024 title with 5,665 points and three tournament wins, ahead of Team Liquid and Team BDS. Other top performers included Gaimin Gladiators, T1, Virtus.pro, Team Vitality, Gen.G, LOUD, and Twisted Minds. Tickets for EWC 2025 are now available.