The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has officially announced a monumental prize pool for the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC)—over $70 million. This record-breaking figure not only sets a new global benchmark in esports but also reinforces EWC 2025’s status as the most prestigious esports competition in the world.
Scheduled to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 to August 24, 2025, the tournament will once again gather the world’s top players and teams across multiple titles. The increased prize pool, up $10 million from the previous year, reflects EWCF’s commitment to building a sustainable esports ecosystem and fostering long-term career opportunities for players, teams, and organizations.
More Than Just the Money
According to EWCF CEO Ralf Reichert, the massive prize pool is about more than making headlines.
“We want all stakeholders—players, clubs, publishers, and tournament organizers—to have the stability to invest long-term,” he said. The goal is to create a healthy, thriving ecosystem that goes beyond short-term success.
25 Tournaments, 24 Games, 2,000+ Professional Players
EWC 2025 is set to become the largest multi-title esports event in history, featuring 25 tournaments across 24 games. The lineup includes new titles such as Chess, Crossfire, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and fan favorites like VALORANT. More than 2,000 professional players and 200 top-tier teams from around the globe are expected to compete. Tickets are now available at esportsworldcup.com.
Club Championship Returns with $27 Million in Prizes
One of the EWC’s most exciting formats, the Club Championship, is making a return. This format scores esports clubs based on their performance across multiple games. It comes with a $27 million prize pool, including $7 million for the champion alone.
Additional prize pool allocations include:
- Game-specific tournaments
- MVP Awards
- “Road to EWC” qualifiers
2024 Recap: Falcons Crowned Champions
The 2024 edition of EWC drew over 500 million online viewers and welcomed 2.6 million in-person attendees at Boulevard City, Riyadh. Team Falcons were crowned the overall champions, earning $7 million with 10 top-three finishes and 5,665 points.
Falcons CEO Mosaad Al-Dossary described the win as a career highlight:
“Playing in front of our home fans gave us an incredible boost. We’re using that momentum to build something even bigger this year.”
Steve Arhancet, Co-CEO of Team Liquid, also called their 2024 performance one of the best in the organization’s 24-year history:
“We used our winnings to expand into new titles like chess, strengthen our Southeast Asia roster, and support community initiatives. This year, we’re aiming for the championship.”
Confirmed Titles for EWC 2025 (So Far)
Here are the announced titles participating in EWC 2025:
- 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 (PC)
- PUBG Mobile
- Rainbow Six Siege
- Rennsport
- Rocket League
- StarCraft II
- Street Fighter 6
- Teamfight Tactics
- VALORANT
40 World-Class Clubs Join the Official Partner Program
As part of its mission to support global esports, EWCF has selected 40 leading esports organizations to join its official Club Partner Program, which provides funding and strategic support for international expansion. Notable partners include:
100 Thieves, All Gamers, Bilibili Gaming, Cloud9, EDward Gaming, EVOS, FaZe Clan, Fnatic, FURIA, G2 Esports, Gen.G, JD Gaming, Karmine Corp, LOUD, NAVI, ONIC, RRQ, Team Secret, Sentinels, T1, Team Liquid, Team Falcons, Team Spirit, Vitality, ZETA DIVISION, and more.
More Than a Tournament—A Global Celebration of Esports
The Esports World Cup 2025 is more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration of the global esports community. With its unique multi-title format and diverse game platforms (PC, mobile, and console), EWC offers a level playing field for all participants.
Whether you’re a fan, a competitor, or part of the industry, Riyadh this summer is where esports history will be made. And who knows—you might just be part of it.