For the Second Year Running, Bigo Live Named Official Streaming Partner of the Esports World Cup 2025
This milestone comes at a pivotal moment for the region, as Saudi Arabia ramps up investment in gaming and esports under its Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to generate over USD 13 billion in economic value and position the Kingdom as a global epicentre for interactive entertainment. Across MENA, the esports market is witnessing unprecedented growth, driven by a youthful population and rising smartphone penetration.
Hosted in Riyadh from July 8 to August 24, the Esports World Cup features over 20 of the most popular competitive gaming titles worldwide. As the official streaming partner, Bigo Live is authorized to broadcast seven marquee titles, including Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Free Fire, EA Sports FC 25, and PUBG Mobile.
The event kicked off last Thursday with a star-studded opening ceremony, featuring performances by global artists and a highly anticipated guest appearance by Post Malone during the invitational segment. Last year's tournament attracted more than 6.9 million peak viewers globally, with even larger audiences expected in 2025.
With over 500 million users across the world, Bigo Live has emerged as a leading platform for interactive content and gaming communities. During past esports tournaments, the platform achieved a total of 260 million impressions across both in-app and external channels, underscoring its growing role in delivering large-scale live events to diverse audiences.
Bigo Live has been a launchpad for countless creators, and Restart from Egypt is a shining example. His commentary during the EWC 2024 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang women's tournament watch party on Bigo Live not only energized the community but also drew over 1,000 hours of total viewer watch time in one session.
What began as a passion for gaming has grown into a career, with Bigo Live playing a key role in that journey. Now the manager of Team Ultra Legends, Restart reflects: 'Over five years on Bigo Live, I've grown tremendously—both as a gamer and a commentator. The platform gave me the space to evolve, compete, and eventually lead a professional team at EWC.'
This year, Bigo Live is rolling out a dedicated two-month in-app campaign, offering fans across MENA a central hub for livestream schedules, tournament highlights, and curated content. The platform's localized coverage delivered through livestream rooms like MENA Gaming Community, MENA Gaming Esport, and MLBBMENA Esports will bring the action closer to home for regional audiences.
'We're proud to continue our partnership with the Esports World Cup, a collaboration that goes beyond streaming and reflects our shared commitment to shaping the future of esports and interactive entertainment,' said Ian Goh, Director for the MENA Region at BIGO Technology. 'As gaming and livestreaming converge, we see enormous potential to empower creators, connect global audiences, and contribute to the region's emergence as a world-class hub for digital innovation. The momentum building in MENA and Central Asia is inspiring, and we're excited for Bigo Live to play a meaningful role in this transformation.'
To further engage audiences, Bigo Live will launch EWC-themed giveaways, including custom avatar frames, online gifts, and entrance effects. A hand-picked lineup of top creators from across MENA will also bring the tournament to life through live content, showcasing the creativity and passion of regional gaming communities.
With global esports viewership projected to surpass 700 million viewers by 2026, this collaboration underscores a shared belief in the transformative potential of gaming and livestreaming as catalysts for digital innovation. As esports solidifies its position as one of the fastest-growing sectors in global entertainment, the partnership between Bigo Live and the Esports World Cup extends beyond streaming. Together, they are redefining how fans engage with global tournaments, empowering creators, and advancing the gaming and livestreaming landscape across MENA, Central Asia, and beyond.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
17 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
ASICS and Saudi Sports for All launch startup pitch to boost sports innovation in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH — ASICS, the global athletic footwear and apparel brand, has teamed up with the Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) to launch the ASICS Innovation Pitch 2025 — a nationwide startup competition aimed at accelerating digital innovation in health and fitness across the Kingdom. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to advance Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals of fostering a healthier, more active society. The program invites Saudi-based startups to submit digital-first ideas that inspire movement and improve well-being. Applications are open until July 31, 2025, with six finalists selected to pitch their solutions live in Riyadh on November 2. Eligible startups must be at least two years old, primarily based or registered in Saudi Arabia, and offer a product or service that is either market-ready or approaching launch. Finalists will receive mentorship and the opportunity to collaborate with ASICS's global innovation, R&D, and marketing teams. Travel and accommodation for up to two team members per startup will be provided. The top three finalists will also be considered for future collaboration opportunities with ASICS, including investment prospects through ASICS Ventures, the company's innovation-focused investment arm. This marks ASICS's first open innovation program in the Kingdom and reflects the brand's increasing regional footprint following the opening of its first Riyadh store in 2023. The SFA, led by Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed, continues to leverage partnerships and technology to build a nationwide culture of physical activity. Startups can apply via the official ASICS Innovation Pitch website before the July 31 deadline. — SG
Makkah Newspaper
20 hours ago
- Makkah Newspaper
For the Second Year Running, Bigo Live Named Official Streaming Partner of the Esports World Cup 2025
Bigo Live, the global livestreaming platform, is proud to return as the official streaming partner of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, reaffirming its commitment to the MENA region's vibrant esports scene. For the first time, Bigo Live will also extend its reach to Uzbekistan, marking a key step in broadening its regional footprint. This milestone comes at a pivotal moment for the region, as Saudi Arabia ramps up investment in gaming and esports under its Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to generate over USD 13 billion in economic value and position the Kingdom as a global epicentre for interactive entertainment. Across MENA, the esports market is witnessing unprecedented growth, driven by a youthful population and rising smartphone penetration. Hosted in Riyadh from July 8 to August 24, the Esports World Cup features over 20 of the most popular competitive gaming titles worldwide. As the official streaming partner, Bigo Live is authorized to broadcast seven marquee titles, including Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Free Fire, EA Sports FC 25, and PUBG Mobile. The event kicked off last Thursday with a star-studded opening ceremony, featuring performances by global artists and a highly anticipated guest appearance by Post Malone during the invitational segment. Last year's tournament attracted more than 6.9 million peak viewers globally, with even larger audiences expected in 2025. With over 500 million users across the world, Bigo Live has emerged as a leading platform for interactive content and gaming communities. During past esports tournaments, the platform achieved a total of 260 million impressions across both in-app and external channels, underscoring its growing role in delivering large-scale live events to diverse audiences. Bigo Live has been a launchpad for countless creators, and Restart from Egypt is a shining example. His commentary during the EWC 2024 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang women's tournament watch party on Bigo Live not only energized the community but also drew over 1,000 hours of total viewer watch time in one session. What began as a passion for gaming has grown into a career, with Bigo Live playing a key role in that journey. Now the manager of Team Ultra Legends, Restart reflects: 'Over five years on Bigo Live, I've grown tremendously—both as a gamer and a commentator. The platform gave me the space to evolve, compete, and eventually lead a professional team at EWC.' This year, Bigo Live is rolling out a dedicated two-month in-app campaign, offering fans across MENA a central hub for livestream schedules, tournament highlights, and curated content. The platform's localized coverage delivered through livestream rooms like MENA Gaming Community, MENA Gaming Esport, and MLBBMENA Esports will bring the action closer to home for regional audiences. 'We're proud to continue our partnership with the Esports World Cup, a collaboration that goes beyond streaming and reflects our shared commitment to shaping the future of esports and interactive entertainment,' said Ian Goh, Director for the MENA Region at BIGO Technology. 'As gaming and livestreaming converge, we see enormous potential to empower creators, connect global audiences, and contribute to the region's emergence as a world-class hub for digital innovation. The momentum building in MENA and Central Asia is inspiring, and we're excited for Bigo Live to play a meaningful role in this transformation.' To further engage audiences, Bigo Live will launch EWC-themed giveaways, including custom avatar frames, online gifts, and entrance effects. A hand-picked lineup of top creators from across MENA will also bring the tournament to life through live content, showcasing the creativity and passion of regional gaming communities. With global esports viewership projected to surpass 700 million viewers by 2026, this collaboration underscores a shared belief in the transformative potential of gaming and livestreaming as catalysts for digital innovation. As esports solidifies its position as one of the fastest-growing sectors in global entertainment, the partnership between Bigo Live and the Esports World Cup extends beyond streaming. Together, they are redefining how fans engage with global tournaments, empowering creators, and advancing the gaming and livestreaming landscape across MENA, Central Asia, and beyond.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Spotify named official audio streaming partner for Esports World Cup 2025
The Esports World Cup Foundation has announced a partnership with Spotify, the world's most popular audio streaming subscription service, as the official audio streaming partner for the Esports World Cup 2025. The collaboration will bring fans an immersive audio experience throughout the world's largest esports and gaming event — powered by Spotify's library of more than 100 million tracks. As part of the partnership, Spotify will launch the EWC Music Hub, featuring official tournament anthems that form part of the EWC music identity, along with Spotify-curated gaming playlists designed to elevate the in-game and fan experience. The partnership also includes artist collaborations and on-site content creation with EWC creators and fans to deepen the personal connection between sound and gameplay. Music will take center stage at EWC 2025. Earlier this month, the Esports World Cup Foundation announced that global icon Post Malone will headline the opening ceremony on July 10. The event will also include the live debut of 'Til My Fingers Bleed,' performed by Dino of Seventeen, Duckwrth, and Telle Smith of The Word Alive, alongside appearances by Grammy-nominated producer Alesso and renowned cellist Tina Guo. 'Our partnership with Spotify extends the Esports World Cup experience beyond the arena, inviting fans into the heart of the tournament through music and sound,' said Mohammed Al-Nimer, chief commercial officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation. 'This partnership brings our EWC Music vision to life: blending original music, global artists, and fan-driven playlists to create deeper connections with audiences and celebrate our unique ecosystem.' 'We're thrilled to partner with the Esports World Cup, a global event that shares our passion for music, fandom, and culture,' said Akshat Harbola, Spotify's managing director for MENAP. 'On Spotify, we've seen firsthand how music and gaming come together to create powerful, immersive moments. In fact, Saudi Arabia has the highest share of music streamed via gaming consoles on our platform globally — a clear signal that music is a core part of the gaming experience here. 'Together, we're creating iconic experiences and content that inspire and elevate the gaming community.' Returning to Riyadh, from July 7 to Aug. 24, the Esports World Cup Festival will unite gaming and esports communities for a global celebration of gaming and esports culture. With esports tournaments, live music, retro arcades, anime cafes, cosplay, creator studios, and more, the EWC Festival will offer millions of fans exclusive experiences celebrating their love of the game. The EWC 2025 will feature 2,000 elite players and 200 clubs from more than 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool.
