Latest news with #EWCF
Zawya
13 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Mastercard extends partnership with Esports World Cup 2025
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced the return of Mastercard as an official event supplier for the 2025 Esports World Cup, the world's largest esports event, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 to August 24. The renewed partnership underscores Mastercard's continued commitment to elevating digital experiences, championing youth engagement, and supporting the Kingdom's rapidly growing gaming ecosystem. Through the collaboration with the Esports World Cup, Mastercard will introduce a range of immersive on-ground activations and seamless payment solutions designed to enhance the overall fan journey. This will include creating a bespoke version of the Mastercard Gamer Academy, where Mastercard, in collaboration with G2 Esports and Esports World Cup, designed a one-of-a-kind experience that will provide 10 successful applicants with the opportunity to be mentored by professionals on how they could pursue a career in esports. Further, fans can collect Priceless Points by interacting with the games and activities available at the Mastercard booth for the chance to win ultimate gaming gear that will be rewarded to the top scoring players. Further, there will be live appearances by G2 Esports players to be hosted as fireside chats to talk about areas like pro esports. The brand's presence will emphasize the intersection of technology, gaming, and culture, anchored by initiatives that highlight and support local Saudi talent. 'Mastercard's return as a partner reflects the Esports World Cup's evolution from a tournament into a global cultural platform,' said Mohammed Al Nimer, Chief Commercial Officer, Esports World Cup Foundation. 'Together, we're creating impactful experiences that go beyond gameplay, uniting youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and immersive fan engagement. Mastercard's focus on Priceless experiences and innovation makes them an ideal partner to help us inspire the next generation of gamers and connect with fans in meaningful and memorable ways.' Saud Swar, Country Manager, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan and other Levant, Mastercard added, 'We are proud to deepen our partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation as we continue to unlock the potential of gaming in the Kingdom. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, Mastercard is committed to connecting people to their passions, driving innovation, and inspiring the next generation. Our priceless experiences help empower youth, promote digital inclusion, and celebrate Saudi Arabia's vibrant esports culture.' This partnership builds on Mastercard's long-standing global support for the gaming and esports industry, including its strategic sponsorship of Riot Games' League of Legends and VALORANT. It reinforces Mastercard's leadership in digital payments and its role in shaping future-facing experiences through youth engagement and innovation. The 2025 Esports World Cup will host 25 tournaments across 24 game titles, bringing together over 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs from more than 100 countries. With a record-breaking prize pool of over $70 million, the event will offer fans a comprehensive entertainment experience, from high-stakes competition and live music to anime cafés, retro arcades, cosplay showcases, and more, cementing Riyadh's position as a global esports and entertainment hub. To learn more about EWC, visit and follow Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn. About Mastercard Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential. About The Esports World Cup The Esports World Cup (EWC) is a premier annual sporting event and global celebration of competitive excellence and esports fandom. The competition features a unique cross-game format that pits the world's top esports clubs against one another for the largest prize pool in esports history. Returning to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the summer of 2025, the EWC will bring gaming and esports communities together again to crown the next Esports World Cup Club Champion. Esports World Cup media contact: Anna Rozwandowicz Head of PR Esports World Cup media contact: press@ Mastercard media contact: Sami Alshorafa Communications Director – West Arabia
Al Bawaba
14 hours ago
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Mastercard Extends Partnership with Esports World Cup 2025
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced the return of Mastercard as an official event supplier for the 2025 Esports World Cup, the world's largest esports event, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 to August 24. The renewed partnership underscores Mastercard's continued commitment to elevating digital experiences, championing youth engagement, and supporting the Kingdom's rapidly growing gaming the collaboration with the Esports World Cup, Mastercard will introduce a range of immersive on-ground activations and seamless payment solutions designed to enhance the overall fan journey. This will include creating a bespoke version of the Mastercard Gamer Academy, where Mastercard, in collaboration with G2 Esports and Esports World Cup, designed a one-of-a-kind experience that will provide 10 successful applicants with the opportunity to be mentored by professionals on how they could pursue a career in esports. Further, fans can collect Priceless Points by interacting with the games and activities available at the Mastercard booth for the chance to win ultimate gaming gear that will be rewarded to the top scoring players. Further, there will be live appearances by G2 Esports players to be hosted as fireside chats to talk about areas like pro esports. The brand's presence will emphasize the intersection of technology, gaming, and culture, anchored by initiatives that highlight and support local Saudi talent.'Mastercard's return as a partner reflects the Esports World Cup's evolution from a tournament into a global cultural platform,' said Mohammed Al Nimer, Chief Commercial Officer, Esports World Cup Foundation. 'Together, we're creating impactful experiences that go beyond gameplay, uniting youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and immersive fan engagement. Mastercard's focus on Priceless experiences and innovation makes them an ideal partner to help us inspire the next generation of gamers and connect with fans in meaningful and memorable ways.'Saud Swar, Country Manager, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan and other Levant, Mastercard added, 'We are proud to deepen our partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation as we continue to unlock the potential of gaming in the Kingdom. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, Mastercard is committed to connecting people to their passions, driving innovation, and inspiring the next generation. Our priceless experiences help empower youth, promote digital inclusion, and celebrate Saudi Arabia's vibrant esports culture.'This partnership builds on Mastercard's long-standing global support for the gaming and esports industry, including its strategic sponsorship of Riot Games' League of Legends and VALORANT. It reinforces Mastercard's leadership in digital payments and its role in shaping future-facing experiences through youth engagement and innovation. The 2025 Esports World Cup will host 25 tournaments across 24 game titles, bringing together over 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs from more than 100 countries. With a record-breaking prize pool of over $70 million, the event will offer fans a comprehensive entertainment experience, from high-stakes competition and live music to anime cafés, retro arcades, cosplay showcases, and more, cementing Riyadh's position as a global esports and entertainment hub.
TECHx
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- TECHx
Lenovo Legion Showcased at Esports World Cup 2025
Home » Emerging technologies » Gaming » Lenovo Legion Showcased at Esports World Cup 2025 Lenovo, the official PC and gaming hardware partner of the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC), has announced its latest Legion innovations for fans in Riyadh. The company revealed an immersive booth experience at the Content Creator Park, located next to the main stage of the tournament. The booth features Lenovo's newest Legion devices, including the powerful Legion 9i. Visitors can explore a full ecosystem of gaming products, such as notebooks, desktops, visuals, and accessories. These offerings highlight Lenovo's focus on performance, cooling, and design. Gamers at the booth can test the latest Legion hardware in live tournaments. Winners topping the leaderboards stand a chance to receive prizes. Lenovo's strong on-ground presence reflects its commitment to elite performance and inclusive gaming culture. The event aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which promotes economic diversification through digital entertainment. The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) aims to create over 39,000 gaming-related jobs and contribute more than US$13 billion to the Kingdom's GDP by 2030. Lenovo has also partnered with Alat, a PIF company, to establish a new manufacturing hub in the Kingdom. Announced in January 2025, the partnership will enable Lenovo to produce millions of 'Saudi Made' laptops, desktops, gaming devices, and servers annually. This move will accelerate the growth of Saudi Arabia's gaming and tech ecosystem by creating high-skilled jobs, supporting local esports talent, and driving digital transformation. • Lenovo's Legion booth includes fan experience zones • Visitors can participate in tournaments and win prizes Lenovo's booth also hosted the #HerLegion Clan: Inclusion Night. This event, held in collaboration with Valar Club, celebrated female gamers and aimed to foster a more inclusive gaming space. It is part of Lenovo's regional inclusivity campaign to empower women in gaming. Saudi Arabia is working to increase female participation in the gaming industry. Women now account for 48% of the Kingdom's gamers. National strategies support this growth with funding, training, and university programs focused on game development and esports management. Initiatives like #HerLegion Clan aim to offer safe and structured spaces for female gamers to compete and connect. Lenovo's efforts at the Esports World Cup 2025 reinforce its dedication to inclusive and high-performance gaming through the Lenovo Legion brand.
Leaders
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Esports World Cup 2025 kicks off with Press Conference in Riyadh
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) launched the opening press conference for the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh on Tuesday, officially marking the start of what organisers describe as the world's largest esports and gaming festival. Running until Aug. 24, the event features more than 2,000 players, 25 tournaments across 24 game titles, and a record-breaking prize pool of more than $70 million. Meanwhile, the competition brings together 200 of the world's top clubs in a cross-title format. The centrepiece is the Club Championship, in which teams earn points across multiple games. The winning club will claim a $7 million grand prize and the EWC Club Championship trophy. Mega prize The total prize pool includes over $38 million for individual game tournaments, $5 million in global qualifier rewards, and $450,000 in MVP bonuses. 'Guided by the vision and leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia is cementing its position as a global leader in gaming and esports,' said HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation. 'The Esports World Cup reflects that progress. We are proud to welcome the world to Riyadh once again.' Prince Faisal added that the event supports the Kingdom's broader goals to diversify the economy and position itself as a global hub for sports and entertainment, in line with Vision 2030 and the National Gaming and Esports Strategy. Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said the tournament aims to unite fans and players through elite competition and immersive storytelling. 'This summer is special — not just for gamers, but for everyone who joins us,' he said. Faisal bin Homran, Chief Product Officer at EWCF, described the event as a transformative platform for teams, brands, and publishers. 'The Esports World Cup is redefining what's possible in esports,' he said. Worth mentioning, the tournament officially kicks off on July 10 with an opening ceremony featuring performances by Post Malone, DINO of K-pop group SEVENTEEN, and DJ Alesso. Related topics: Riyadh Roars: Esports World Cup Returns with Unprecedented Scale Saudi Esports Federation, PUBG Mobile Partner to Boost Gaming Ecosystem Saudi Arabia to Host Inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2027 Short link : Post Views: 119
Gulf Insider
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Insider
Esports World Cup 2025 Officially Kicks Off in Riyadh
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) marked the start of the world's largest esports and gaming festival. Running until the 24th of August, the Esports World Cup (EWC) features more than 2000 elite players, 25 tournaments across 24 leading titles, and a record-breaking prize pool of over $70 million! This summer, the Esports World Cup 2025 is raising the bar for global competition, uniting the top 200 Clubs from around the world in a groundbreaking cross-title format. At the centre of the action is the Club Championship, a high-stakes contest where teams earn points across multiple games to battle for the ultimate title of EWC Club Champion. Apart from bragging rights, the champions will take home a staggering $7 million grand prize, along with the honour of lifting the coveted Club Championship trophy. In total, the event boasts a record-breaking $70+ million prize. HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, said: 'This event stands as a global milestone for esports by showcasing the scale, ambition, and future of competitive gaming. It is a moment that will shape the direction of the industry for years to come.' He emphasised that hosting the tournament in Riyadh again shows how committed the Kingdom is to building a top-tier, sustainable esports scene. It's all part of a broader effort to use gaming as a way to connect people and inspire younger generations, while supporting the goals of Vision 2030 to diversify the economy and make Saudi Arabia a global centre for sports, gaming, and entertainment. Esports, he said, is no longer a niche interest; it's a global movement, and the Esports World Cup is the biggest and most unifying platform for it. The Esports World Cup 2025 is set to be more than just a competition; it's a worldwide celebration of gaming culture. Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, put it simply: 'EWC 2025 is about bringing the gaming world together.' He explained that this year's event is taking things to the next level with innovative global broadcasts, original content, and documentary-style storytelling. With record-breaking competition on the horizon, he said this summer will be special and not just for gamers, but for everyone taking part. Faisal bin Homran, Chief Product Officer of the Esports World Cup Foundation, emphasised how EWC is reshaping the future of competitive gaming. 'It brings together the world's top teams to compete in the most iconic and advanced arenas, delivering a level of excitement that is unmatched across the industry,' he said. Beyond competition, it's also a platform for major publishers, brands, and content creators to connect with global audiences and influence where the industry is headed. Looking ahead to 2025, Faisal said the team is focused on raising the bar even higher, setting new standards, driving innovation, and inviting the whole world to be part of what comes next. The Esports World Cup has officially kicked off, with an impressive lineup at the opening ceremony in Riyadh, featuring Post Malone, DINO of SEVENTEEN, and Alesso, marking the start of a summer packed with elite competition and world-class entertainment! READ MORE: Saudi Arabia Drives Middle East Push Into $600B Global Sports Market
