Game on for $70m Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia
The major event brings together more than 2,000 professional players representing 200 clubs from over 100 countries.
Competitions will run until August 24, with players vying for a record prize pool exceeding $70m—the highest in esports history.
Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia
This year's tournament will take place at Boulevard Riyadh City, spanning an area of more than 50,000sq m.
It features 25 tournaments across 24 games, including:
League of Legends
Dota 2
PUBG Mobile
PUBG Battlegrounds
Counter-Strike 2
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Call of Duty: Warzone
CrossFire: Mercenary Forces Corporation
Fortnite
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Honour of Kings
Rainbow Six Siege X
Street Fighter 6
Rocket League
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
Free Fire
Overwatch 2
EA Sports FC 25
Rennsport
StarCraft II
Teamfight Tactics
Tekken 8
VALORANT,
Chess
Apex Legends
The Esports World Cup stands as the largest event in the history of the gaming and esports industry.
It plays a key role in empowering players and clubs through the 2025 EWCF Club Partner Program, which aims to foster sustainable growth for participating teams, develop talent, and expand their global fan base.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi's Zein Qutami marries Elie Saab's son: All you need to know about the glamorous wedding
Zein Qutami, an Abu Dhabi-raised Palestinian-Jordanian content creator, married Celio Saab, son of iconic Lebanese designer Elie Saab in what is being called a breathtaking celebration of love, heritage, and high fashion. Held in the heart of Lebanon, the glamorous event merged old-world tradition with couture extravagance and Zein was the dazzling star at the centre of it all. Meet the Bride: Zein Qutami Zein Qutami, born and raised in Abu Dhabi, is a lifestyle influencer, content creator, and the daughter of prominent Jordanian-Palestinian parents. She is known for her elegance, understated glamour, and warm social media presence. She first met Celio Saab in Dubai in June 2021, and their romance culminated in a fairytale engagement in June 2024, featuring a custom ring designed by Celio himself. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ELIE SAAB (@eliesaabworld) The Wedding The couple's union was celebrated over two grand events in Lebanon. On July 17, a chic, pre-wedding party featuring scenic mountain views took place with a 10-tier cake. And on July 19, the main ceremony took place at the Bkerki Church, a historic site. The reception was attended by over 1,000 high-profile guests, including Nancy Ajram, Karen Wazen, and Balqees Fathi. The Gowns As expected, the gowns were couture masterpieces. Elie Saab created not one but two exclusive dresses for Zein. The ceremony gown was long-sleeved, floor-length with fitted bodice and cathedral train. It was adorned with intricate silver embroidery and paired with a veil and headpiece echoing the ornate detailing. An Instagram video highlights the making of the gown. "Five sketches, three prototypes, and 780 hours later," the caption read. "We take you behind the scenes of Zein's custom creation by Maison Elie Saab. From final fittings to the magic of the making — this is 'The Dress.'" Watch the video below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jamalouki Magazine (@jamaloukimag) The reception gown was a sleeveless, mermaid‑silhouette dress in 'Rose Sable' champagne hue. It featured a plunging V-neck, a 4.5 m overskirt, and dense linear crystal embroidery with sequins and diamond‑shaped stones to glow under candlelight. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar Arabia, Zein said that this second gown represented 'something radiant and unapologetically glamorous.' She said, "The look was designed to embody boldness and femininity in perfect balance; powerful, yet graceful.'
Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Selfies with residents, mall stroll: 5 moments of UAE President being a people's leader
In yet another familiar display of accessibility and humility, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan continues to demonstrate his closeness to residents, reinforcing his reputation as a leader deeply connected to his people. From casual strolls through malls to taking selfies with residents, Sheikh Mohamed —often hailed as the people's leader— consistently displays a down-to-earth attitude that never goes unnoticed. Known to work up to 18 hours a day, with annual leave reportedly never exceeding a single week, Sheikh Mohamed has always found time to interact with residents despite his busy schedule. 1. Taking photos in Hungary During his recent trip to Hungary, Sheikh Mohamed used a camera to take pictures of beautiful scenery. Like a normal tourist, he is seen capturing scenes from nature after being handed a camera. View this post on Instagram A post shared by UAE Royal Family ð��¦ð��° (@emiratesroyalfamily) 2. Selfies with residents In another obvious instance of humility, Sheikh Mohamed stopped was seen in a previous video walking towards his car and stepping in, when he notices something and stops. The UAE royal is then seen calling someone over as he steps back out of the car. The camera pans to two men who were earlier at the sideline. They are seen wearing big smiles as the President notices them. Both expats then take a selfie with the President. Sheikh Mohamed is also seen indulging in a short conversation with them and greeting them with a smile. 3. Mall stroll The UAE President was also captured in a video casually strolling through a bustling mall in Abu Dhabi. The clip showed the royal t descending an escalator accompanied by a notably small entourage. It also showed him leisurely walking past cafes and shops. What struck onlookers and viewers alike was the unassuming demeanour of Sheikh Mohamed, as many shoppers and cafe customers seemed unaware of his presence. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ù�ØبÙ�Ù� Ù�ØÙ�د بÙ� زاÙ�د / بإدارة: عبداÙ�Ù�Ù� اÙ�راشدÙ� (@shkmbz) 4. Meeting foster mothers During a meeting with a group of foster mothers who have been taking care of children with all their hearts, Sheikh Mohamed shook the women's hands one by one, thanked them for providing a nurturing family for the kids and giving them the love and support that they need. Starstruck children were seen smiling from ear to ear as they got the chance to greet - and even embrace Sheikh Mohamed. The UAE President, being the loving and down-to-earth leader that he is, gave big hugs among the youngsters, even kissing the hand of one child. 5. Heartwarming gesture An Emirati girl called Aisha Mohammed Mushait Al Mazrouei was among the scores of children who were part of an official reception hosted for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz back in 2019. Unintentionally, Sheikh Mohamed missed Aisha's stretched-out hand during the programmem but he made sure to make it up for her The people's leader realised the girl's disappointment and visited her at her home on the UAE National Day. There, he gave the little girl his undivided attention, repeatedly kissing her hand and forehead. Have a look at the video of the inadvertent slip and how Sheikh Mohamed made up for it after: — Ù�ØÙ�د بÙ� زاÙ�د (@MohamedBinZayed) December 2, 2019
Khaleej Times
11 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Jiu-jitsu, football: How Brazilian expats in UAE are shaping country's cultural landscape
A vibrant community of over 12,000 Brazilians is quietly reshaping the cultural landscape of the UAE, building bridges between two nations separated by oceans yet bound by shared values of "warmth, family, and (a deep sense of) community". What began with the arrival of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coaches has since evolved into a diverse and thriving expatriate population spanning fields such as engineering, medicine, fashion design, and the arts. This evolution, according to Brazilian Ambassador Sidney Leon Romero, reflects a deeper cultural affinity that makes the UAE feel like 'Latin America' to his countrymen. "We don't feel like foreigners here. We feel embraced — and this is very rare," Romero told Khaleej Times."The way we are embraced by the UAE is very special. It feels like Latin America." The ambassador estimates 1,500 Brazilians work directly in jiu-jitsu as coaches, contributing to regular championships and teaching the sport across the UAE. The martial art has found particular resonance with the UAE's royal family, with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed's daughter practising the sport. "We feel very proud because Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the martial art that is adopted here. It's respected — and that brings us a lot closer to each other,' Romero noted. Cultural connection Beyond the sporting arena, Brazilians in the UAE have found long-term success in high-skilled, technical professions. Many have lived in the Emirates for over a decade, drawn not only by opportunity but also by the lifestyle. For many, the safety, order, and daily optimism of life in the UAE are reminiscent of home — or perhaps, a better version of it. "It's very safe here. It's a very predictable country, and it brings a lot of confidence and positivity to our routine life. You open the newspapers, and you see good news every day," said Romero. Romero also highlights striking cultural parallels between Emirati society and Brazil's northeastern region. Both cultures evolved under arid climates and share nomadic roots. This has resulted in surprising linguistic overlaps: Brazilian Portuguese retains several Arabic-derived words such as algirda, matula, and algebra. "Both societies are family-oriented, warm, and emotionally expressive," he said, explaining: "There are strong community ties, respect for traditions, and emotional connections that are shared traits." These shared values have helped fuel a blossoming of cultural and artistic exchange. A group of 10 Brazilian women in Dubai regularly writes poetry, fiction, and short stories. Meanwhile, Brazilian actress and influencer Sabrina Petrovsky, who boasts 1.5 million followers, has become what the ambassador calls "the best promoter of the UAE in Brazil today". Brazilian footballers have also contributed to the UAE's sporting landscape, with several playing for Al Ain FC, helping the club qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup. 'We have a bunch of players playing in the UAE, but Al Ain is my team here. It represents the country. It's traditional. I'm proud Brazilians played a role in that," Romero said. The Brazilian Embassy is currently working on a project in the cultural field and plans to expand its efforts. "There is real demand for more cultural exchange," Romer noted. "This people-to-people diplomacy is very important. It opens doors for economic sectors, science, and technology, but starts with people and their demands."
