Twisted Minds Secures Saudi Arabia's Third Title at Esports World Cup 2025
The team secured first place along with a cash prize of $661,000 and 1,000 points in the club ranking. South Korea's Gen.G Esports came in second, earning $302,000 and 750 points, followed by Saudi Arabia's Team Falcons in third place with $208,000 and 500 points, while Vietnam's The Expendables ranked fourth with $141,000 and 300 points.
The winning team was crowned at the stc Arena in the presence of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Al-Hilal tops Middle East football brands as Saudi clubs ride star power
JEDDAH: Saudi football club Al-Hilal has been ranked the Middle East's strongest brand, as the Kingdom's 'big four' teams gain international recognition on the back of high-profile signings, according to Brand Finance. The Riyadh-based club earned a Brand Strength Index score of 80.8 out of 100 and an AAA- rating, topping regional peers. Al-Ittihad scored 76.8, Al-Nassr 75.6, and Al-Ahli 72.7, the London-based consultancy said in its annual rankings. Domestically, all ten Saudi clubs studied outperformed their international ratings, with Al-Hilal achieving a home BSI of 92.1 compared with 57.9 abroad. Al-Nassr has been the standout internationally with a score of 69.5, helped by the global profile of Cristiano Ronaldo. Saudi Arabia has stepped up its football push with major overseas signings, record investment in the Saudi Pro League, and ambitions tied to its Vision 2030 diversification plan. The Kingdom is also preparing to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, underscoring its bid to become a global hub for the sport. Andrew Campbell, managing director Middle East, Brand Finance, said: 'The Middle East's bold investment in football is beginning to yield tangible results on the global stage. Led by the Saudi Pro League, the region is rapidly expanding its commercial and sponsorship footprint while accelerating moves toward club privatisation.' He added: 'High-profile international signings continue to elevate global perceptions - not just of the league, but of the Gulf region as a rising force in world football. As the market matures, strategic investment and commercial discipline will be key drivers of sustained growth, with top club brands expected to strengthen in parallel.' UAE's Al-Ain led its domestic peers with a score of 69.9, ahead of Al-Wasl at 61.7 and Shabab Al-Ahli at 60.9. Globally, Real Madrid and Barcelona retained their positions as the most valuable and strongest football club brands, with values of $2.1 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively. Both clubs secured AAA+ strength ratings. The London-based firm pointed out that the Premier League is the world's most valuable sports league in terms of brand value, with its top ten brands' values totaling $9.1 billion – more than 37 percent of the total value of the world's top 50 most valuable clubs. The report noted that the Premier League's uniqueness lies in how brand value is distributed across multiple clubs. Six teams — Manchester City and Liverpool at $1.6 billion each, Manchester United at $1.4 billion, Arsenal at $1.3 billion, Chelsea at $1.1 billion, and Tottenham Hotspur at $890 million — each hold substantial brand value. 'The combined value of the world's top 50 football club brands has climbed to $24.5 billion in 2025. However, Brand Finance research reveals a growing imbalance across the game, as outside of the Premier League, brand value is increasingly concentrated among a handful of elite clubs in Europe's top leagues, said Hugo Hensley, head of sports services, Brand Finance. He noted that brand is no longer a byproduct of performance but a defining driver of success. 'As the sport becomes increasingly competitive both on the pitch and commercially, clubs and leagues must manage their brands strategically to ensure they aren't edged out of realising the benefits of a strong and valuable brand,' added Hensley.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club takes early lead at Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
DUBAI: At the end of the fifth round of the second Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship on Saturday, Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club topped the standings, with Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club second place and ADMA (Abu Dhabi Martial Arts) third. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The event is being held at Al-Nasr Club in Dubai, with competitors from clubs and academies throughout the UAE. Day 1 featured strong competition in the U-12, U-14, and U-16 categories, while Sunday will feature bouts in the U-18, Adult and Masters categories. Yousef Abdullah Al-Batran, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said the championship is an important platform for discovering and nurturing talent across different age groups. 'The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship provides athletes with an ideal opportunity to develop their skills in a professional and competitive environment, while instilling values of discipline, confidence, and commitment,' he said. 'We are confident that the athletes will give their best in a championship that carries such a prestigious name, raising the level of competition and fulfilling the goals of the tournament.' Mishaal Jalfar, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, said: 'We are delighted to be present at such a major event. The importance of jiu-jitsu is clear, not only in promoting self-confidence, determination, and perseverance, but also in its diverse physical benefits. Today we witnessed an impressive crowd and excellent organisation, reflecting the sport's rising popularity and the strong support it enjoys across the UAE.' Javid Mohammadzadeh, father of Javad Mohammadzadeh, a Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club athlete competing in the U-16 60 kg category, said: 'Javad has been practising jiu-jitsu for many years. He chose the sport himself and has a deep passion for it, dedicating long hours to training. Competing in such an important championship gives him a chance to learn, grow, and test himself against athletes of different levels.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Twisted Minds Secures Saudi Arabia's Third Title at Esports World Cup 2025
The Saudi team Twisted Minds added a new achievement to the Kingdom's esports record after being crowned on Saturday with the PUBG: Battlegrounds championship title at the Esports World Cup 2025, securing the Kingdom's third title in the global tournament, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. The team secured first place along with a cash prize of $661,000 and 1,000 points in the club ranking. South Korea's Gen.G Esports came in second, earning $302,000 and 750 points, followed by Saudi Arabia's Team Falcons in third place with $208,000 and 500 points, while Vietnam's The Expendables ranked fourth with $141,000 and 300 points. The winning team was crowned at the stc Arena in the presence of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan.
