Esports World Cup 2025 Opens With Record USD 70 Million Prize Pool

The Esports World Cup 2025 officially kicked off in Riyadh, drawing elite gaming talent and fans from around the world. The second edition of the tournament runs until August 24th and will see 2,000 professional players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries compete across 25 tournaments.

This year’s event boasts a record-breaking prize pool exceeding USD 70 million, making it the largest in esports history. Players will compete across 24 globally recognised games, with matches taking place in venues across Riyadh as part of a summer-long programme blending competition with culture.

Visitors to the Esports World Cup can experience more than gameplay. Programming around the tournament includes anime cafés, cosplay, retro arcades, and live music, inviting fans to explore Riyadh and nearby heritage sites like At-Turaif in Diriyah and the dramatic landscapes of AlUla.

The Esports World Cup launched in 2024 and has quickly become one of the largest global esports tournaments, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s expanding role as a destination for international gaming events.