Valorant: First Appearance in the Esports World Cup
The tournament follows a group stage format, with teams divided into four groups, and the top two teams from each group advancing to the single-elimination playoffs, where only one team will be crowned champion.
This marks the second edition of the Esports World Cup, which kicks off on Tuesday and continues until August 24. It features 24 tournaments, with total prizes exceeding $70 million, contested by over 2,000 players representing 200 teams from around the world.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
KSA is reshaping the global esports industry
For the second year in a row, Saudi Arabia is taking center stage in the global electronic sports landscape by hosting the Esports World Cup. The championship, held in Riyadh, is running for seven weeks, from July 7 to Aug. 24. It has brought together more than 2,000 elite players representing 100 countries, alongside 200 international teams. With millions of fans expected to tune in worldwide, the championship highlights Saudi Arabia's growing influence in the global gaming industry and its ambition to become a premier hub for competitive esports. This year's tournament marks another major milestone in Saudi Arabia's push to become a world-leading force in competitive gaming and digital entertainment, thanks to the event's exceptional organization and the unprecedented prize pool — the largest in the competition's history, amounting to $70 million. With world-class infrastructure, major titles, and top-tier global talent converging in one location, Saudi Arabia is setting a new standard for esports tournaments in the Middle East. Both this year's tournament and the previous edition mark the beginning of a new era in positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in the gaming sector by 2030. The World Cup also supports the Kingdom's broader efforts to diversify the economy, create new job opportunities across various sectors, and provide world-class entertainment experiences. The Kingdom is rapidly emerging as a global catalyst for technological innovation, with the electronic gaming sector driving advancements in artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies Saudi Arabia's National Gaming and Esports Strategy, launched in 2022, is the driving force behind these efforts. It focuses on enhancing the gaming experience, expanding entertainment offerings, and stimulating economic growth. Among the ambitious goals of the National Gaming and Esports Strategy are contributing $13.3 billion annually to non-oil gross domestic product and creating 35,000 job opportunities across the gaming and technology sectors. The strategy also targets establishing 250 game development companies, producing globally competitive games — including at least one globally recognized title by 2030 — and developing infrastructure, talent, and international partnerships to support long-term industry growth and innovation. According to LEAP Forward digital magazine, the global gaming market was valued between $225 billion and $250 billion in 2022 — surpassing the film and music industries combined — and projections estimate it will exceed $600 billion by 2030. Clearly, this sector presents a significant opportunity for national growth Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is playing a significant role in establishing a centralized hub for game developers, marketers, distributors, hardware manufacturers, and intellectual property holders. Savvy Games Group, owned by the PIF, is driving long-term growth in the global gaming and esports industry while positioning Saudi Arabia as a leading hub for both sectors. Saudi Arabia holds a unique position in the esports industry, supported not only by its Vision 2030 strategy but also by its strong demographic advantage, since more than 63 percent of its population is under the age of 35. By investing in esports, Saudi Arabia is not only positioning itself as a leader in the global gaming industry but also contributing to the goals of its Quality of Life Program — a key initiative under Vision 2030. This program aims to enhance the well-being of citizens and residents by enriching cultural, recreational, and social opportunities. Through initiatives in sports, arts, entertainment, and urban development, it seeks to foster a more vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous society. Saudi Arabia's efforts to localize the gaming industry through various strategic initiatives will support its broader goals of increasing public revenue and driving economic diversification. The Kingdom is rapidly emerging as a global catalyst for technological innovation, with the electronic gaming sector driving advancements in artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies. • Talat Zaki Hafiz is an economist and financial analyst. X: @TalatHafiz
Asharq Al-Awsat
6 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Team Redline Wins First Championship of Esports World Cup 2025
The British Team Redline clinched the first title of the Esports World Cup 2025, the largest event in the history of gaming and esports, by winning the Rennsport video game championship, SPA reported. They earned the trophy, the largest share of the $500,000 prize pool, and 1,000 points, which placed them at the top of the club standings in the global tournament currently underway at Riyadh Boulevard City until August 24. Now in its second edition, the Esports World Cup features more than 2,000 professional players representing 200 clubs from over 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments across 24 game titles. With a record-breaking total prize pool exceeding $70 million, it is the largest in esports history.
Leaders
a day ago
- Leaders
Esports World Cup Makes Triumphant Return with Unprecedented Global Participation
Saudi Arabia is solidifying its status as a global powerhouse in gaming, esports, and entertainment by hosting the most expansive edition of the Esports World Cup (EWC) to date. This year's tournament has set new records in both size and international reach, drawing more than 2,000 players from 200 teams representing over 100 countries. These competitors will battle across 25 tournaments in 24 different games, including new titles like chess, Valorant, and Fatal Fury, for a historic USD 70 million prize pool—the largest in esports history. The opening press conference attracted widespread attention from media outlets around the world, further highlighting the global interest in the event. Unmatched Fan Engagement, Media Reach Held in Riyadh, the EWC has become the world's premier esports event, known for its scale, cutting-edge systems, premium content, and immersive fan experiences. With more than 3.4 billion people globally engaged in gaming, esports has grown into a mainstream cultural force. In 2024, global esports viewership surpassed 574 million, and it's forecast to exceed 640 million by 2027. Esports World Cup Visitor attendance is expected to exceed the 2.6 million mark reached last year, thanks to the event's extended seven-week duration (July 7 to August 24) and skyrocketing ticket demand—sales are up over 30%, with average ticket values increasing by 600% and international purchases tripling. EWC 2025 will be broadcast in over 30 languages across more than 100 countries, with content supported by 80+ media partners. Digital engagement has surged across platforms like Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, with a fourfold increase in reach and fivefold rise in interactions. Strategic Growth, Vision for Future This year, the Esports World Cup Foundation has expanded its Club Support Program from 30 to 40 participating clubs, welcoming new entries from major markets such as China and India—evidence of the tournament's widening international influence. These developments are aligned with Saudi Arabia's National Gaming and Esports Strategy, a forward-looking plan aiming to create 39,000 jobs and contribute USD 13.3 billion to the national economy by 2030. The Esports World Cup continues to be more than just a competition—it's a transformative platform showcasing the rise of gaming as a global cultural and economic force. Related Topics: In Photos: Saudi Crown Prince Awards the Esports World Cup Champions NCA Launches Interactive Cybersecurity Awareness Exhibition for Hajj Pilgrims Saudi Arabia Named 'Country of the Year' After Record-Breaking Leap in StartupBlink Index Haramain Railway Boosts Hajj 2025 Capacity by 25% Operation Gideon Chariots: Israel Intensifies War amid Dire Conditions in Gaza Short link : Post Views: 16
