The Esports World Cup 2025, a major multi-title tournament hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is set to offer a record-breaking prize pool totaling $70 million across all of its competitive events.
Prize Pool Sees Significant Increase
This year’s edition of the tournament reflects a notable increase of $10 million compared to the amount awarded during its debut in 2024. According to an official announcement, this expansion reinforces the Esports World Cup’s status as one of the leading global sports events. Additionally, it aligns with the tournament’s broader mission to contribute to the long-term and sustainable development of the esports industry.
The total prize fund will be distributed among 25 separate competitions scheduled between July and August, in addition to the Club Championship. This specific event is designed to reward organisations—including those part of the tournament’s partner initiative—that consistently perform well across several Esports World Cup competitions.
Club Championship Receives Major Share
Ralf Reichert, the CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, expressed that the $70 million prize pool, along with the ongoing commitment to the Club Partner Program and the multi-year publishing agreements, represents a significant step toward strengthening the esports ecosystem. He explained that while such a large sum is transformative, it reflects a vision centered on enduring progress rather than immediate results. The goal, he noted, is to generate opportunities across all tiers of the industry and to foster a foundation for long-term stability and growth.
Out of the full prize pool, $27 million is allocated specifically for the Club Championship. The organisation accumulating the most points throughout the tournament circuit will receive $7 million. The rest of the prize money will be awarded across the individual game tournaments, MVP accolades, and qualifying rounds.
Previous Champions and Ongoing Controversy
The first edition of the Esports World Cup concluded with Team Falcons, a Saudi Arabian team, emerging as the overall winner. The organisation achieved ten top-three finishes, with two first-place victories in Call of Duty: Warzone and Free Fire.
Despite the increase in financial incentives and its focus on expanding the global esports landscape, the Esports World Cup Foundation continues to face criticism. Concerns persist within certain parts of the community regarding its connections to the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. The broader debate about the Kingdom’s human rights issues remains active, especially as the country continues its efforts to boost its profile in international sports and entertainment sectors.