The Esports World Cup 2025, hosted in Riyadh from July 8 to August 24, continues to build momentum under the Esports World Cup Foundation and ESL FACEIT Group.
Boasting a staggering $71.5 million total prize pool, it surpasses last year’s figures, with approximately $27 million earmarked for club championships and over $38 million allocated to individual game tournaments. Saudi Arabia remains focused on positioning itself as a global gaming hub, aligning with its Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.
Recent Tournament Highlights
The opening weeks of the Esports World Cup have already provided fans with electrifying matchups, dramatic finishes, and breakout performances across multiple titles.
From first-time champions to nail-biting grand finals, these tournaments have set the tone for an action-packed summer. They were also highly-anticipated markets in various sportsbooks and online casinos with fast withdrawals ranking positions. Here’s a look at some of the most notable results so far.
Valorant Champions Crowned
The inaugural Valorant tournament at EWC culminated on July 13 with Team Heretics pulling off a stunning 3–2 reverse sweep over Fnatic in the grand final. The 16‑team bracket featured top-tier squads from North America, APAC, EMEA, and China. Heretics’ triumph earned them a $500,000 top prize, while Fnatic secured $230,000.
Fatal Fury’s Breakthrough Moment
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, a recently released fighting title, concluded its EWC run on July 12. A dramatic showdown saw GO1 from Japan defeat China’s Xiaohai in a 3–2 grand final, hitting a peak of over 60,000 viewers—a record for the title. GO1’s win also netted him a $300,000 payday, more than doubling his career earnings.
ALGS Apex Mid‑Season Playoffs
The EWC-hosted Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) Mid‑Season Playoffs, spanning July 10–13, crowned VK Gaming as champions after nine tense matches. With thousands of viewers tuning in across multiple platforms, the event delivered high-stakes action and a significant boost in global fan interest.
Recent Qualifiers and Pre-Cup Action
As the main events in Riyadh kick off, several regional qualifiers and pre-tournaments have wrapped up around the world. These competitions determined which teams would earn their place on esports’ biggest stage, creating anticipation for what’s to come. The results have also highlighted rising contenders aiming to upset the established powerhouses.
PUBG Mobile Europe Spring
The PMSL 2025 Europe Spring, held from June 23 to July 6, concluded with Team Falcons earning the top spot, followed by Fire Flux, IDA Esports, and Regnum Carya—each securing slots at the PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC). Falcons claimed two “Chicken Dinners” and $37,000, while Fire Flux and IDA took home $23,750 and $19,500, respectively.
Other regional qualifiers across APAC, Americas, China, Korea, and EMEA finalized the roster of participants for the upcoming Esports World Cup tournaments, setting the stage for a truly global competition.
Upcoming Showdowns at EWC
With several tournaments already in the books, the Esports World Cup is far from over. The weeks ahead promise some of the most anticipated matchups of the year, featuring legendary teams and players across multiple disciplines. Fans can look forward to marquee events that will likely decide this year’s esports narratives.
League of Legends (July 16–20)
Following Valorant’s conclusion, the League of Legends tournament takes center stage mid‑July. Featuring 12 elite teams—three from the Americas, two each from Korea, EMEA, China, and defending champions T1—the event promises intense GSL-style group matches and a thrilling eight-team single-elimination playoff.
PUBG Mobile World Cup (July 25–August 3)
The PUBG Mobile World Cup will run from July 25 to August 3, bringing together 24 top teams to compete for a $3.05 million prize pool. 
This highly anticipated event is expected to draw massive viewership as teams battle for supremacy, including online punters who bet on sportsbooks and online casinos with fast withdrawals ranking positions.
Teamfight Tactics (August 11–15)
The Teamfight Tactics tournament returns to the EWC from August 11 to 15, featuring a 16‑team format. With qualifiers from Asia and global events alongside defending champions Wolves Esports, the competition promises exciting strategic gameplay.