Muscat — With just one month remaining, final preparations are underway for the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC 2025), poised to be the world’s most anticipated esports and gaming event. Hosted at Boulevard City Riyadh from July 7 to August 24, the tournament will gather over 2,000 professional esports athletes representing the top 200 clubs from more than 100 countries, competing for a historic prize pool exceeding $70 million—the largest in esports history.
The event underscores the rapid growth of Saudi Arabia and the MENA region’s gaming market. Newzoo’s 2024 global gaming reports highlight 559 million gamers across the Middle East and Africa, while Ampere Analysis reveals that 73% of MENA residents watch esports monthly. This surge positions the region as a major driver of economic growth, social engagement, and cultural influence.
HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, stated, “Hosting the Esports World Cup for the second consecutive year reflects Saudi Arabia’s and MENA’s ambition to lead the global gaming and esports ecosystem. Riyadh has become the capital of global esports, aligned with Vision 2030 and the National Gaming and Esports Strategy.”
EWC 2025 not only celebrates elite competition but also nurtures homegrown talent—from grassroots players to professionals—showcasing regional teams, players, and creators on the world stage. The event significantly boosts the regional economy, impacting sectors such as entertainment, technology, tourism, retail, and commerce, while unlocking new jobs, partnerships, and commercial opportunities.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, added, “EWC empowers communities, drives sustainable growth, accelerates job creation, and positions MENA as the global esports hub, showcasing the region’s unparalleled talent and passion.”
Featuring 25 elite tournaments across 24 major titles—including League of Legends, Dota 2, PUBG Mobile, Counter-Strike 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Fortnite, Street Fighter 6, Rocket League, Valorant, Chess, Apex Legends, and more—EWC 2025 promises unparalleled competition.
Complementing the tournaments, the EWC Festival will transform Riyadh into the MENA region’s premier summer destination, blending gaming with music, pop culture, cosplay, cuisine, and family-friendly experiences. Over seven weeks, the festival will celebrate regional culture, creativity, and entertainment, offering a vibrant summer experience not to be missed.
