The Esports World Cup 2025 is set to host another round of thrilling Teamfight Tactics (TFT) competition following Wolves Esports’ unexpected championship run in 2024. This time, 16 top-tier teams from around the world will gather in Riyadh for a five-day tournament running from August 11th to 15th, featuring high stakes and even higher rewards.
A New Chapter in a Global Esports Festival
Organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation and backed by the Saudi Arabian government, the second edition of this massive event will span from July 8th to August 24th. Across multiple titles including League of Legends and VALORANT, competitors will be fighting for a share of the staggering $70 million (~£54.3m) total prize pool.
Thanks to a recent multi-year agreement with Riot Games, Teamfight Tactics will remain part of the lineup until at least 2027. The TFT tournament alone will feature a $500,000 prize pool and also contribute to the broader Club Championship through a Club Points system.
Tournament Format: Group Stage to Grand Final
The TFT event will unfold in two primary phases—Group Stage and Playoffs:
- Group Stage (August 11–13)
The 16 teams will be sorted into four groups, each competing in double-elimination brackets. Only the top two teams from each group will move on to the next round. - Playoffs (August 14–15)
These eight finalists will face off in a single-elimination bracket. Every match will be played in a best-of-three format, except for the Grand Final, which will be a best-of-five.
Prize Distribution & Club Points:
- Champion: $200,000 + 1,000 Club Points
- Runner-up: $100,000 + 600 Club Points
- 3rd–4th Place: $45,000 + 275 Club Points
- 5th–8th Place: $15,000 + 60 Club Points
- Grand Final MVP: $50,000 (no Club Points)
Tournament Schedule
The action begins on August 11 with the Group Stage, which will run through August 13. The Playoffs follow shortly after—Quarterfinals take place on August 14, while both the Semifinals and Grand Final are set for August 15.
Fans can tune into the event via EWC’s official Twitch and YouTube channels. Tickets for the live event will be available through the Esports World Cup’s website.
Qualifying Teams to Watch
Several teams have already secured their spots through regional qualifiers, particularly through the Asian Champions League 2025. Representing both APAC and China, these teams include:
- Flash Wolves – ACL APAC #1
- T1 – ACL APAC #2
- Virtus.pro – ACL APAC #3
- Team Falcons – ACL China #1
- Weibo Gaming – ACL China #2
- Twisted Minds – ACL China #3
Defending champions Wolves Esports are also confirmed to return. Despite their breakout performance in 2024, the team has since struggled to replicate that level of success and did not qualify through the ACL this year.
Additional teams will emerge through the American and EMEA Closed Qualifiers, which are running from May 2 to June 1. The final three spots will be filled through the Global Qualifier, held from June 6 to 8.