Latest news with #EsportsWorldCup2025
Identity
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Identity
5 Must-Do Saudi Experiences to Add to Your Bucket List This Summer
Get ready to pack your bags and your excitement, because Saudi, the Heart of Arabia, has a summer calendar sizzling with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. From vibrant coastal festivals to mountain escapes and stargazing in the desert, this is where ancient culture meets world-class entertainment. And if you're wondering what Saudi is really like, think stunning landscapes, warm hospitality, and a spirit of discovery that pulls you right in. Here are five unforgettable events to help you #ColourYourSummer in 2025. 1. Level Up at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh Summer just got a major upgrade. The Esports World Cup 2025 is landing in Riyadh from July 7 to August 24 at Boulevard Riyadh City, and it's breaking all the records. Expect over 2,000 elite players, 25+ global games, and a jaw-dropping $70 million prize pool. But it's more than just competition. Think interactive zones, meet-and-greets with gaming icons, themed pop-ups, and all-day family fun. Whether you're a gamer or just in it for the thrill, this event will definitely colour your summer with action. 2. Soak Up Jeddah Season's Coastal Cool Jeddah Season is pulling out all the stops this summer, from the glittering Jeddah Yacht Club to immersive experiences at City Walk and historic vibes in Al Balad. Add to that concerts, foodie adventures, art shows, and a cool sea breeze, and you've got yourself a season you won't forget. Don't miss: • Forest Wonder (July 9 – August 22): An eco-themed adventure that brings nature to life. • Circus 1903 (June 7 till June 11) : A vintage-themed spectacular with elephants, acrobats, and old-school circus charm • West Coast Festival (July 1 st – September 24): Beachside vibes, local food stalls, and live music along Jeddah's coastline • Jeddah Shopping Festival (July 1 – August 31): Exclusive drops and unbeatable deals. In other words: your seaside summer just got a cultural upgrade. 3. Catch the Mountain Breeze in Aseer Season If your summer needs a breath of fresh air, literally, head to Aseer. At 3,000 meters above sea level, this misty green region is a paradise of cool weather, colorful festivals, and unbeatable views. This season, don't miss: • Art Street in Abha and Al Muftaha Village: Where Saudi's creativity explodes in every corner. • Al-Qatt Al-Aseeri Workshops: At the Fatima Museum in Rijal Alma, get hands-on with this UNESCO-recognized art form. • Al Habala Park and Sky Village: For ziplining, hiking, and mountain-top cafés. • And of course, Rijal Alma, a historical gem perfect for culture lovers and Instagram feeds. 4. Discover Hidden Luxury on the Saudi Red Sea Imagine this: kayaking through mangroves, e-foiling over glassy waters, diving into coral gardens, and watching the sun dip behind the horizon from your overwater villa. That's the Saudi Red Sea, and it's redefining paradise. Hit up: • Shebara Resort: Orb-like villas, moonlight massages, and wildlife encounters. • Desert Rock: Adrenaline-filled adventures carved into sandstone. • Sailing, Windsurfing, and Kayaking: Explore over 90 untouched islands on your terms. Trust us, this is where beach bliss meets bold adventure. 5. Unlock the Magic and Scents of Taif This summer, swap ordinary for extraordinary in Taif, Saudi's mountain-side city bursting with heritage, fragrance, and must-do moments. From royal palaces to rose-filled factories, this city is packed with experiences you'll want to write home about (or post about, let's be real). Here's what's blooming in Taif this summer: • Rose Product Factories: Get a behind-the-scenes look at how Taif's iconic roses are turned into luxurious oils, waters, and perfumes. Yes, it smells that good. • Kaaki Palace: A hidden architectural gem where Roman elegance meets Hijazi charm, perfect for history buffs, design lovers, and Instagram shots. • Arruddaf Park: Live music, dancing fountains, and late-night vibes wrapped in green open space. This is your go-to for feel-good evenings under the stars. • Wahba Crater: Make the short road trip to this jaw-dropping volcanic site that's 3,000 meters wide and 380 meters deep, part adventure, part photo op, and all wow. Taif is more than a pretty face; it's culture, nature, and sensory overload in all the right ways. So, what's your summer vibe? Whether you're chasing mountain mist, diving deep into the Red Sea, or dancing in the desert, Saudi has a season that's bursting with color, culture, and unforgettable moments. This year, don't just travel, #ColourYourSummer! To learn more and plan your trip, visit the Visit Saudi website. About 'Saudi, Welcome to Arabia' 'Saudi, Welcome to Arabia' is a vibrant consumer brand dedicated to sharing Saudi Arabia with the world and welcoming travelers to explore all the country has to offer. The brand's role is to drive forward the country's tourism industry through awareness-raising campaigns and to provide a comprehensive array of information and resources for travelers to plan and enjoy unforgettable journeys. As the world's fastest-growing destination, Saudi, the heart of Arabia, is the most exciting new year-round destination.
Engadget
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Engadget
GeoGuessr community maps go dark in protest of EWC ties to human rights abuses
A group of GeoGuessr map creators have pulled their contributions from the game to protest its participation in the Esports World Cup 2025, calling the tournament "a sportswashing tool used by the government of Saudi Arabia to distract from and conceal its horrific human rights record." The protestors say the blackout will hold until the game's publisher, GeoGuessr AB, cancels its planned Last Chance Wildcard tournament at the EWC in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 21 to 27. GeoGuessr is a browser game where players try to pinpoint locations using only Google Street View images, and it relies on community mapmakers to stay relevant. The blackout, which began on May 21, includes "dozens of creators and their maps, including a supermajority of the most popular competitively relevant world maps," according to a statement the group shared on Reddit. The removed maps have been played tens of millions of times. One of the largest GeoGuessr communities, Plonk It, has also removed its Map Directory and shared the mapping community's open letter. That statement reads in full as follows: We, the creators of a considerable share of GeoGuessr's most popular maps, have decided to make our maps unplayable in protest of GeoGuessr AB's decision to host a World Championship wildcard tourney at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh. The EWC is a sportswashing tool used by the government of Saudi Arabia to distract from and conceal its horrific human rights record. Groups targeted by the government include women, LGBTQ people, apostates and atheists, political dissenters, migrant workers in the Kafala system, religious minorities, and many others. The subjugation of these groups is extensive and pervasive. Members of these groups are routinely subjected to discrimination, imprisonment, torture, and even public executions. These severe human rights violations are well-documented and indisputable. By participating in the EWC, GeoGuessr is contributing to that sportswashing agenda, which is designed to take attention away from Saudi Arabia's human rights violations. The GeoGuessr community is diverse and includes many members of groups that would be harshly persecuted were they to live in Saudi Arabia. In solidarity with those currently residing in Saudi Arabia while being subject to oppression, as well as members of the community who would feel and be unsafe attending the tournament in Riyadh, we have decided to black out our maps by replacing all their previous locations with random garbage locations, rendering them unplayable. This blackout includes dozens of creators and their maps, including a supermajority of the most popular competitively relevant world maps. It will continue until we see action from GeoGuessr; specifically, we demand that GeoGuessr cancels its wildcard event in Saudi Arabia and commits to not hosting any events there as long as it continues its oppressive regime. You don't play games with human rights. Thank you for reading. The GeoGuessr mapping community We've hit up GeoGuessr AB for a comment on the blackout and will update this story as we hear back. The EWC is a huge, multi-game event owned and operated by the Saudi government and held in the country's capital city. It's an evolution of the Gamers8 tournament and this year marks the second EWC-branded competition; it's due to take place in July and August with a total prize pool of $38 million, split among 24 games. Franchises participating in the 2025 event include Rocket League, Apex Legends, Call of Duty, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Overwatch, Dota 2, Valorant, Street Fighter 6, EA Sports FC and PUBG. It's difficult to compete in esports without running into Savvy Games Group, the video game arm of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Alongside hosting the EWC, Savvy has financial stakes in Nexon (10.2 percent ownership), Electronic Arts (9 percent), Embracer Group (8.3 percent), Nintendo (7.5 percent), Capcom (5 percent) and Take-Two Interactive (6.8 percent as of 2023). Savvy also runs ESL FACEIT Group, which contains the Electronic Sports League, a longstanding and significant esports event company. The New York Times reported last year that the Saudi government plans to invest $38 billion in the video game industry by 2030. Human rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have long documented the abuses of the Saudi government. HRW describes Saudi Arabia's human rights record as "abysmal," and specifically calls out the PIF as a reputational whitewashing tool. Saudi authorities have been accused of sportswashing in traditional sports as well, specifically through the country's ownership of LIV Golf and Newcastle United FC. In February, Riot Games — the operator of League of Legends, Valorant and Teamfight Tactics, and arguably the largest name in esports — signed a three-year deal with the Esports World Cup Foundation for an undisclosed sum. Riot defended the partnership, arguing that the resulting financial boon for players and the esports industry outweighed other concerns. "We know some of you may not feel great about our decision to partner with the EWC in this way, and we respect that," Riot's statement read. Though corporate support for the EWC remains strong, the GeoGuessr mapping community isn't alone in rejecting this year's tournament. Street Fighter 6 player Christopher Hancock, who plays as ChrisCCH for FlyQuest, recently declined his spot at EWC 2025. In a social media statement, Hancock said, "I gave this decision a lot of thought and ultimately decided that, due to the nature in which the event is funded and managed, I do not feel comfortable participating in it." He added that the partnership between the Capcom Pro Tour and the EWC effectively forced him to work with the Saudi-backed group. "Choosing to not participate in any EWC qualifiers would effectively mean retirement from competing," Hancock said. "I find it regrettable that this event has become so deeply embedded in the [fighting game community], but I have not yet made a decision on whether I will stop competing in events associated to it altogether." Alongside the GeoGuessr map blackout, the community protest added one new, short challenge to the game called How to Run A Dictatorship. It takes players through five locations around Riyadh, documenting the alleged government-sanctioned torture, kidnapping, imprisonment and oppression of women, LGBTQ people, religious minorities and political dissenters occurring in these places. The challenge takes just a few minutes, so feel free to experience it yourself.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
‘Magnus Carlsen vs The World': Chess great held to draw by 143,000 players
Chess legend Magnus Carlsen, considered one of the best players in history, has been held to a draw by a team of 143,000 opponents in an online match. Organised by the match site the duel -- dubbed 'Magnus Carlsen vs. The World' -- pitted the 34-year-old Norwegian against amateurs from around the planet who decided their moves by popular vote. The match with Carlsen, who was world champion from 2013 to 2023, opened on April 4, with each side allowed 24 hours to decide its next move. Also read | Champions Chess Tour 2025 — A qualifier for Esports World Cup 2025, list of Indians, live streaming info After more than six weeks, it ended in a draw Monday. 'I felt that I was a little bit better, early in the opening,' Carlsen said in a video. 'Honestly, since then, they haven't given me a single chance.' Carlsen is not the first grandmaster to take on a team of thousands. Russian chess giant Garry Kasparov played more than 50,000 opponents in a 1999 match, while India's Viswanathan Anand played around 70,000 last year, according to news agency NTB. Related Topics Magnus Carlsen
Saudi Gazette
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
Esports World Cup 2025 reveals full schedule
The ES TIMES — The Esports World Cup 2025 has officially revealed its full schedule, confirming 25 tournaments across 24 different eSports disciplines. The competition will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, over seven weeks from July 7 to August 24, 2025, with a record prize pool of $70 million (262,656,590.00 Saudi Riyals), making it one of the largest tournaments in the history of eSports. This year, more than 2,000 players from 200 teams will participate, competing in a wide variety of games. Here's the breakdown of events by week: Week 1: VALORANT, Apex Legends, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, Rennsport, Dota 2 Week 2: League of Legends, Dota 2, MLBB Women's Invitational, Honor of Kings, Free Fire Week 3: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, StarCraft II, MLBB Mid-Season Cup, PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings Week 4: Overwatch 2, PUBG Mobile, Chess, MLBB Mid-Season Cup Week 5: Call of Duty: Warzone, Rainbow Six Siege X, EA Sports FC 25 Week 6: Rocket League, PUBG Battlegrounds, Teamfight Tactics, Tekken 8 Week 7: Counter-Strike 2, CrossFire: Mercenary Forces Corporation, Street Fighter 6 One of the highlights of this year's tournament is the integration of several mid-season tournaments into existing global tournaments, such as Honor. of Kings and Overwatch 2. Chess also marks its debut as the first traditional sport to join the Esports World Cup. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) will be a key pillar, hosting the Mid-Season Cup 2025 and the return of the Women's Invitational to showcase the best women's teams in the MLBB scene. Valve's top games will be a pivotal part of the event, with Dota 2 concluding the ESL Pro Tour Season 3 with the Esports World Cup, formerly known as the Riyadh Masters. Meanwhile, Counter-Strike 2 will feature as a main event with a prize pool of $1.25 million (4,690,296.25 Saudi Riyals). The Esports World Cup 2025 promises exciting competitive rounds and unforgettable moments for gaming fans around the world. In addition to individual tournaments, organizations will compete for Club World Cup Championship points and the opportunity to join the 2025 EWCF Club Partner Program. Raouf Belhamra – Esports and Gaming writer
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
S8UL announces EA FC roster for Esports World Cup, signs eChampions League winner Jonny
S8UL has roped in eChampions League and virtual Bundesliga winner Jonas Wirth and Mexican champion Aaron Rivera for the upcoming Esports World Cup 2025, the Indian esports organisation announced on Tuesday. 'Jonny' Wirth won the virtual Bundesliga Club Championship, the Grand Final and the eChampions League last season, with all the titles featuring Electronic Arts' FIFAe, which is now called EA FC 24. Jonny also finished in the top 16 at the FIFAe World Cup 2023 and the FC Pro 24 World Championship, with total career earnings of approximately USD 196,150 (approx. INR 1.6 crore). He has spent most of his professional career at the esports wings of two German football clubs, Vfl Bochum (Bundesliga) and SC Paderborn (Bundesliga 2). 'It's a great opportunity to represent such a passionate and growing organisation on the global stage. I'm looking forward to what we can achieve together at the Esports World Cup and beyond,' Jonny said. Meanwhile, Mexican 'HappYMeaL664' Rivera represented Mexico in the FIFAe Nations Series 2023 and recently achieved an impressive feat by winning three consecutive FC Pro 25 Open Cup titles in the LATAM North region across November, December, and January. His gameplay has delivered unforgettable moments, including a dramatic last-minute winner in the FC Pro Open Global Qualifier to seal a 5-4 victory. He has previously represented teams such as Essentials Gaming, AJM Esports, and CD Leganés. S8UL became the first Indian esports organisation to be selected as a club partner for the 2025 Esports World Cup, set to be played in Saudi Arabia between July 8 to August 24. 'Joining S8UL is a big move, and I'm all in. Representing this team on the world stage means a lot, and I'm ready to bring my best to EAFC this season. Big goals ahead—let's make it happen,' Rivera said. The organisation, a popular name in Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) and Pokémon UNITE, has ventured into new titles, announcing rosters for five titles at the Esports World Cup, and more are expected soon. 'The addition of Jonny and Happy to our roster reflects our commitment to competing with the best on the international stage. They've already made waves not just in their respective regions but across the global EAFC scene,' Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL, said. S8UL roster for Esports World Cup 2025: Apex Legends: Rick Wirth (Sharky), Benjamin Spaseski (Jesko) and Tom Canty (Legacy) Call of Duty: Warzone: Colin Bowers-Wilson (Trikempathy), Braxton Trice (Braxtvn), and Ryder Skarzinski (Ryda) Chess: Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram EA SPORTS FC: Jonas Wirth (Jonny) and Aaron Rivera (Happy) Starcraft II: Pyung Jae Koh (GuMiho)
