The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 has officially shattered records, boasting a prize pool that has soared past the $70 million mark. With 25 tournaments spanning 24 of the world’s top competitive titles, the event cements itself as the largest and most ambitious multi-game esports tournament in history.
The historic figure, reported at approximately $70.45 million, represents a significant leap from last year’s total of $62.5 million. According to eTrueSports, This year’s prize breakdown includes $27 million allocated to the EWC Club Championship, where the top 16 organizations compete across multiple titles, with the ultimate winner set to claim a staggering $7 million prize.
An additional $38 million-plus is being distributed across individual game championships, while $5–6 million is dedicated to regional and global qualifiers. Around $500,000 has been set aside for MVP awards to recognize individual excellence across titles.
The EWC 2025 marks a pivotal evolution in the structure of esports events by introducing a cross-game competition format. Organizations no longer rely solely on individual games to shine; instead, consistent performance across several titles determines success in the prestigious Club Championship.
Over 2000 professional players representing more than 200 global esports organizations are currently battling it out in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 8 through August 24.
A major focus of this year’s tournament is global appeal and cultural crossover. New titles added to the roster include Valorant, Crossfire, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
In a surprise addition, chess also made its debut, with grandmaster Magnus Carlsen joining the fray, an indication of the broadening scope of competitive gaming. Global sports icon Cristiano Ronaldo and chess legend Carlsen have also been announced as official ambassadors of the event, underscoring the event’s mainstream pull and crossover potential.
The opening ceremony matched the grandeur of the prize pool. International music artists such as Post Malone, SEVENTEEN’s DINO, Alesso, and Tina Guo performed for a sold-out crowd, highlighting the event’s increasing cultural relevance. The tournament is also being broadcast globally, with millions expected to tune in across platforms.
Saudi Arabia’s investment in the Esports World Cup is part of a broader strategy under Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the country’s economy by positioning it as a hub for global entertainment and technology.
While this move has garnered international scrutiny, there’s no denying its disruptive impact on the global esports scene. With Riyadh now hosting the largest tournament ever, the balance of power in esports may be shifting eastward.
As the competition heats up and titles are decided in the coming weeks, the 2025 Esports World Cup is not just setting records, it’s redefining what’s possible in professional gaming. Whether this model proves sustainable in the long run remains to be seen, but for now, the EWC has firmly secured its place at the top of the esports food chain.