Esports World Cup draws unprecedented viewership, sellout crowds in first half of inaugural event

Esports World Cup draws unprecedented viewership, sellout crowds in first half of inaugural event
The Esports World Cup has attracted big live attendances during the firts half of the summer-long tournament. (Supplied)
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Updated 03 August 2024
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Esports World Cup draws unprecedented viewership, sellout crowds in first half of inaugural event

Esports World Cup draws unprecedented viewership, sellout crowds in first half of inaugural event
  • Competition tops 177 million hours watched as more than 1 million visitors take in world’s largest esports and gaming festival in Riyadh
  • Tournaments featuring Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, League of Legends, Dota 2 set 2024 viewership highs as $16.5 million is awarded across nine out of 22 championships

RIYADH: The Esports World Cup, the world’s largest esports competition and festival, has entered the second half of its competition after drawing unprecedented viewership and live attendances for its inaugural event at Boulevard Riyadh City.

The Esports World Cup Foundation, the non-profit organization hosting the EWC, has announced a total of 177.5 million hours watched over the first four weeks, with a number of individual tournaments setting viewership highs. In addition, a total of $16.5 million of the event’s record-breaking $60 million prize pool has been distributed across nine of 22 total championships. The event’s daily festival has attracted more than one million visitors during the first half of the landmark event taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“After four quick weeks, the Esports World Cup has already surpassed our highest expectations,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of Esports World Cup Foundation. “When we started this journey, our goal was to leapfrog the esports industry with a historic global event uniting the best games, players and clubs, and reach fans beyond the core esports enthusiasts, while tapping into the 3.4 billion gamers around the world. I’m proud that we’re well on our way to achieving that goal here in Riyadh with hundreds of millions of viewers at home, and over a million visiting onsite, shattering not only our expectations, but also a lot of 2024 esports records. The EWC has awarded more than $16 million in life-changing prize money so far, with millions more to come, including the ultimate prize — a share of $20 million across the Esports World Cup Club Championship at the end of August.”



Viewership and social highlights

Across the first four weeks of the Esports World Cup, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang registered the event’s highest peak viewership with nearly 2.4 million concurrents, the largest figure for any MLBB tournament in 2024. The game’s popularity extended to the MLBB Women’s Invitational at EWC, recording 2.5 million hours watched over its 34-hour total broadcast. With 265,117 peak viewers, it became the fourth most-watched event in women’s esports history. Mobile games in general have exceeded viewership expectations at the EWC, with Free Fire attracting more than 441,000 peak concurrents.

On PC, two popular multiplayer online battle arena games set high watermarks for viewership at the EWC. With 55 million hours watched, the Dota 2 competition was the most-viewed tournament for the game this year, while the League of Legends competition was the largest third-party tournament for the game in the past decade, recording 53 million hours watched and 3.4 million peak viewers (including China).

The EWC has attracted high engagement from fans across social media. Its accounts have collectively recorded more than one billion impressions, 270 million social video views and 58 million total social engagements, a testament to the event’s resonance among the global esports community and beyond.



Attendance highlights

During the first half of the EWC, more than one million visitors attended the massive on-site experience at Boulevard City in Riyadh. The festival venues alone have attracted 289,000 visitors, while the esports competitions have sold more than 60,000 tickets so far. The esports events are less than 3,000 tickets away from a total sellout with four weeks and 13 competitions still to come. The EWC day pass has sold out for the entire tournament, while the POWR Villa and Falcons HQ are fully booked through Aug. 17.

During Week 3, the EWC hosted international football superstars Neymar and Diogo Jota. As avid esports fans, both athletes took in the high-energy atmosphere around the Counter-Strike 2 event.

“Being here at the inaugural Esports World Cup is a truly amazing experience,” Jota said. “The organization and scale behind this event are truly impressive, even more than I anticipated. I’ve always believed in the potential of esports, even before starting my own team, and EWC is proof that this scene is evolving rapidly. This level of investment and infrastructure is exactly what esports needs to grow and reach a wider audience. I’m excited to see how EWC continues to evolve and push the boundaries of competitive gaming.”

 

Competition highlights

The EWC has already awarded $16.5 million in prize money across nine tournament championships and another $450,000 in MVP awards. More than $44 million in prize money will be awarded over the final four weeks of competition spanning the remaining 13 championships and the club championship.

Currently, Team Falcons sits atop the Esports World Cup club championship leaderboard with 3,500 points, 2,330 above second-place Team Liquid. The Club Championship, an innovative cross-game competitive format distinctive to the EWC featuring a dedicated prize pool of $20 million, rewards the top 16 clubs based on their overall performance. At the event’s conclusion, the club with the best performance across the 22 game championships will be crowned the world’s first Esports World Cup club champion.

The first four weeks have delivered a number of upsets and dominating performances. In the record-breaking $500,000 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational, Smart Omega Empress upset tournament-favorite Team Vitality to earn the top prize of $180,000. In the Overwatch 2 tournament, Crazy Raccoon rolled through the bracket, winning 15 of 17 maps played to take home the trophy and $400,000. And in League of Legends, global superstar Faker led defending World Champions T1 to a 3-1 victory over Top Esports, adding another international accolade to his storied career.

 

Closing weekend

The biggest weekend in esports history will take place on Aug. 24-25 as the inaugural EWC comes to a close.

On Aug. 24, the 2024 Esports Awards, the most prestigious night in esports, will honor the best in the business from every part of the world, celebrating clubs, athletes, content creators, games and more. Highlights from the evening will include the lifetime achievement mixer, red carpet event, esports village and the star-studded awards ceremony itself, which last year attracted more than 22 million viewers.

The second two-day New Global Sport Conference will begin on Aug. 24 as it unites leaders from esports, gaming, business, sports, and entertainment to explore “The future of fandom.” Thought leaders from around the world will discuss fandom’s impact on business planning, content, IP and media rights, marketing, and community-building. The speaker lineup to date includes: Prince Faisal bin Bandar, Ralf Reichert, Magnus Carlsen, Toshimoto Mitomo, Greg Norman, Maya Rogers, RJ Cutler, Dr. Songyee Yoon, Sir Leonard Blavatnik and Joe Marsh.

The weekend will conclude on Aug. 25 as the first Esports World Cup club champion is crowned and awarded its share of the $20 million club championship prize pool. The EWC closing ceremony will then welcome clubs, players, and fans to come together for a spectacular celebration, featuring fireworks, a light show and live music.


Twisted Minds top cross-game leaderboard after 19 Saudi eLeague tournaments

Twisted Minds top cross-game leaderboard after 19 Saudi eLeague tournaments
Updated 27 June 2025
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Twisted Minds top cross-game leaderboard after 19 Saudi eLeague tournaments

Twisted Minds top cross-game leaderboard after 19 Saudi eLeague tournaments
  • More than 40 clubs have competed across 14 titles in the Elite category and 5 in the Women’s division
  • With the league now at its halfway point, every point earned is a step closer to final success

RIYADH: Twisted Minds are top of the Saudi eLeagues, the Kingdom’s premier esports league, following 19 tournaments in the season so far.

Organized by the Saudi Esports Federation and hosted at the SEF Arena in Boulevard Riyadh City, the league brings together Saudi Arabia’s top esports clubs competing across multiple games and divisions.

So far, more than 40 clubs have competed across a total of 19 tournaments — 14 in the Elite category and five in the Women’s division — in the race for points on the coveted Clubs Cross-Game Leaderboard. These points will also determine which teams secure spots in the championship, the league’s marquee event where the best teams will clash for the ultimate title and a share of the SR7 million ($1.87 million) prize pool.

As the dust settles on the first phase of the season, the leaderboard is beginning to take shape:

• Twisted Minds, last year’s cross-game champions, remain unshaken at the top with an impressive 912 points. Their dominance across multiple titles continues to set the standard for consistency and excellence.

• Team Falcons hold second place with 705 points, delivering solid performances across major titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Valorant, proving their resilience as perennial contenders.

• Al-Qadsiah Esports, the breakout team of the season, sit third with 618 points. With standout victories in both the men’s and women’s brackets, they are proving a force to be reckoned with.

Each tournament has added its own narrative to the Saudi eLeague, from Overwatch 2, VALORANT and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 to EA SPORTS FC 25 and battleground drama in PUBG and PUBG MOBILE.

Meanwhile, the Women’s division has delivered some of the league’s most inspiring moments, highlighting the rising skill level and growing depth of talent in Saudi Arabia’s esports scene.

With the league now at its halfway point, every point earned is a step closer to final success. Twisted Minds may sit top for now, but with Team Falcons and Al-Qadsiah Esports breathing down their necks, the race will continue apace.

“The halfway point of this year’s Saudi eLeagues highlights just how extraordinary and competitive this season has been,” said Abdullah Alnasser, head of esports products at the Saudi Esports Federation.

“What sets this year apart from previous seasons is the sheer intensity and depth of competition across all categories. From the Elite tournaments to the Women’s division, we’ve witnessed remarkable growth — not just in the number of clubs participating, but in the level of skill, strategy and determination on display.

“The race for the top is far from over, and every match continues to push the boundaries of what our players and teams can achieve. This season is shaping up to be something truly special, a milestone moment for Saudi esports that reflects the incredible progress of our scene.”


Alesso releases official remix for Esports World Cup 2025

Alesso releases official remix for Esports World Cup 2025
Updated 23 June 2025
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Alesso releases official remix for Esports World Cup 2025

Alesso releases official remix for Esports World Cup 2025
  • Remix of EWC Music’s orchestral theme “Ascension” features cello sensation Tina Guo and merges electronic music with competitive energy in celebration of world’s biggest esports event

GRAMMY-nominated producer and global electronic music sensation Alesso has released an official remix of “Ascension”, the lead track from the original music suite created for the Esports World Cup 2025 – the world’s largest esports and gaming event. 

‏Originally composed by Edouard Brenneisen of Hollywood Scoring and recorded at Abbey Road Studios, “Ascension” features fellow GRAMMY nominee and virtuoso cellist Tina Guo. Alesso’s remix reimagines the orchestral original with his signature euphoric production style. The sonic maven seamlessly fuses his progressive house sound with Guo’s powerful tone, transforming the cinematic piece into a high-energy rework designed to capture the intensity and emotion of elite esports competition.

‏The track is part of the EWC Music initiative, a new programme creating an original musical identity for the Esports World Cup and celebrating esports’ deep connection with music. Launched in April with a four-track suite by 2WEI and Hollywood Scoring, recorded at Abbey Road Studios, the programme continues with live performances, artist collaborations, and global fan activations. “Ascension (Alesso Remix)” will be featured across tournament broadcasts, live events, and digital content throughout the seven-week competition, which begins on July 7 in Riyadh.

‏The Opening Ceremony, on July 10, will be headlined by 9x diamond-certified artist Post Malone.

‏Alesso said of the track, “I was so excited when this opportunity came to me. I’m a huge fan of esports and gaming tournaments – I’m a gamer myself, so combining my two worlds into one on this remix felt so natural. Creating this alongside Tina was incredible. We were able to create something that truly brings listeners into another world. I can’t wait to share this moment with all of you.”

‏Tina Guo said of the collaboration, "I'm thrilled to have worked with Alesso on this remix and so excited to be a part of the Esports World Cup! This collaboration brings together my passion for music and gaming in a progressive house and cinematic fusion. The energy and creativity that Alesso brings to the table are truly inspiring, and being involved in such a monumental event like the Esports World Cup is a dream come true. I can't wait to share this experience with everyone!"

‏Ariel Horn, Executive Producer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, added: “Gaming and EDM have moved together for years, from Marshmello’s Fortnite show to major esports collaborations like League of Legends and VALORANT’s work with Zedd. With Alesso and Tina Guo, we’re building another bridge. Tina has scored games, rocked League Worlds, and played on iconic Hans Zimmer soundtracks – including Wonder Woman. Just as EWC is reimagining what global esports can be, this track reimagines the role music plays in connecting players, fans and culture, turning competition into something you don’t just watch – you feel.”

‏The Esports World Cup 2025 is the world’s premier esports event. Its unique cross-game format will reward Clubs and players competing for a life-changing prize pool across multiple platforms and genres – bringing together the best teams, players, and titles under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of competitive gaming.

‏EWC 2025 will feature 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool. Tickets, including access to the Opening Ceremony, are now available at esportsworldcup.com.


Riyadh to host leaders at New Global Sport Conference 2025

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. supplied
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. supplied
Updated 23 June 2025
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Riyadh to host leaders at New Global Sport Conference 2025

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. supplied
  • Event takes place in August at Four Seasons Hotel

RIYADH: Riyadh is to welcome global leaders from sport, electronic sports, and entertainment at the New Global Sport Conference 2025 on Aug. 23-24 at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation, the event coincides with the closing weekend of the Esports World Cup, the world’s largest event of its type.

Called “The Next Game — Building the Future of Gaming, Esports, and Sports,” the conference will bring together more than 1,500 industry leaders for keynotes, strategy sessions, and high-level networking.

Confirmed speakers include Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, president of the Saudi Esports Federation; Casey Wasserman, chairman of LA28; Toshimoto Mitomo, Sony’s chief strategy officer; and World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen. Senior executives from Activision, Sega, Bandai Namco, Disney, and CBS Sports will also participate.

Ralf Reichert, the CEO of EWCF, said the event was occurring at a time of transformation, and added: “As the boundaries between sports, e-sports, entertainment, and technology dissolve, this event becomes the premier global stage for leaders to explore new horizons and create groundbreaking collaborations."

Tickets are now available at www.newglobalsportconference.com. Additional speakers and the full programme will be announced soon.


Cristiano Ronaldo named global ambassador for Esports World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo named global ambassador for Esports World Cup
Updated 13 June 2025
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Cristiano Ronaldo named global ambassador for Esports World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo named global ambassador for Esports World Cup
  • Star’s appointment ‘defining milestone’ in evolution of tournament

LONDON: Cristiano Ronaldo has been appointed global ambassador for the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, the tournament’s organizers announced on Friday.

The Esports World Cup Foundation said the Portuguese football legend’s appointment marked a “defining milestone” in the evolution of the tournament and the rise of e-sports as a global force.

A five-time Ballon d’Or winner and one of the most iconic athletes of all time, Ronaldo brings what the foundation described as “a powerful presence and cultural resonance that transcends traditional sports,” helping connect millions of fans to a new generation of e-sports athletes.

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said: “Cristiano Ronaldo connects generations — from lifelong football fans to today’s emerging competitors.

“His pursuit of greatness mirrors the spirit of the Esports World Cup: the biggest stage for the best players. As global ambassador, he bridges traditional sport and competitive gaming, helping spotlight the next generation of athletes competing for global glory. We’re humbled to have the greatest of all time stand with us in this moment for e-sports.”

Ronaldo has been involved with the EWC since its inception. He took part in the global announcement of the competition in 2023 and attended last summer’s closing ceremony in Riyadh, where he joined in celebrations for Team Falcons’ historic Club Championship victory.

As a global ambassador he will headline the tournament’s global promotional campaign in the lead-up to and throughout the seven-week event and festival taking place this summer in Riyadh.

He will also appear as a playable character in FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, one of the 25 titles featured in the 2025 tournament lineup.

With a combined social media following of over 1 billion, Ronaldo’s involvement is expected to amplify the EWC’s global reach and help introduce new audiences to the elite world of competitive gaming.

Ronaldo said: “Sport is always evolving and e-sports is one more frontier. The commitment, drive, talent, and intensity I have been able to see in e-sports athletes is no different from what I’ve experienced on the pitch. I’m proud to stand alongside these competitors and be part of a global event that’s inspiring a new generation.”


Esports World Cup Foundation, Amazon announce pact to take gaming mainstream

Esports World Cup Foundation, Amazon announce pact to take gaming mainstream
Updated 12 June 2025
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Esports World Cup Foundation, Amazon announce pact to take gaming mainstream

Esports World Cup Foundation, Amazon announce pact to take gaming mainstream
  • Three-year plan to boost Esports World Cup’s global reach
  • Key locales include US, Europe, Middle East, India and Canada

RIYADH: The Esports World Cup Foundation has announced a three-year collaboration with Amazon Ads.

The pact announced on Tuesday by the EWCF combines the Esports World Cup’s premier event with Amazon’s full-funnel advertising and entertainment services.

The world cup will be held in Riyadh from July 7 to Aug. 24.

The organizations hope to deliver compelling fan experiences and expand the tournament’s global reach across Twitch, Prime Video, Alexa and Wondery.

The two organizations collaborated last year on the inaugural Esports World Cup, which featured the launch of a tournament hub on Amazon.sa and Amazon.ae.

“Esports is redefining how a new generation consumes entertainment — always on, always accessible, and deeply social,” said Mike McCabe, chief operating officer at the EWCF.

“With Amazon, we are bringing esports into everyday digital lives for millions of people around the world — whether you’re catching highlights on Prime, or a livestream on Twitch, or asking Alexa for updates — creating an immersive, multimedia experience that’s shaping its place in global culture.”

The organizations will extend the reach of the Esports World Cup across key locales, including the US, Europe, Brazil, Mexico, the Middle East and North Africa, Turkiye, India and Canada.

Rayan Karaky, managing director, EMEA & Southeast Asia at Amazon Ads, said: “We are excited to continue our collaboration with EWCF to shape how esports is experienced globally.

“Our collaboration will power immersive fan experiences across multiple touchpoints and create exceptional value for brands.”

The Esports World Cup 2025 will feature 2,000 elite players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a record-breaking $70 million prize pool.