6 days ago
Spotify partnership brings music to Esports World Cup 2025
The Esports World Cup Foundation has announced a new partnership with Spotify, naming the platform as the official audio streaming partner for the 2025 edition of the global gaming tournament, set to take place in Riyadh from 7 July to 24 August.
The collaboration is designed to enhance the overall fan experience at this year's Esports World Cup (EWC) by integrating music more directly into the event environment, both physically and digitally. 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 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, aiming to deepen the personal connection between sound and gameplay.
The move reflects a wider trend in gaming culture, where music is increasingly becoming an integral part of how fans engage with esports. In particular, Spotify's data shows Saudi Arabia has the highest share of music streamed via gaming consoles on the platform globally, underscoring the local appetite for crossover experiences.
Mohammed Al Nimer, Chief Commercial Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, said:
'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. This brings our EWC Music vision to life — blending original music, global artists, and fan-driven playlists to celebrate our unique ecosystem.'
Akshat Harbola, Spotify's Managing Director for MENAP, added: 'We're thrilled to partner with the Esports World Cup, a global event that shares our passion for music, fandom, and culture. 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.'
Music will feature prominently at the EWC 2025 Opening Ceremony on 10 July, which will be headlined by Post Malone and include a live performance of Till My Fingers Bleed by DINO of SEVENTEEN, Duckwrth, and Telle Smith. GRAMMY-nominated producer Alesso and cellist Tina Guo will also appear.
The Esports World Cup 2025 is set to feature 2,000 players from over 100 countries, representing 200 clubs across 25 tournaments with a prize pool exceeding $70m.
