news  

Ronaldo, Carlsen, and $70M: Inside the 2025 Esports World Cup

Ronaldo, Carlsen, and M: Inside the 2025 Esports World Cup

The Explosive Growth of Esports and the 2025 Esports World Cup

From its origins as a niche subculture in internet cafés and LAN parties, esports has evolved into a global phenomenon. Once considered a fringe activity, it is now one of the most exciting and rapidly expanding forms of entertainment worldwide. This transformation is particularly evident at the Esports World Cup, an event that has grown significantly since its inception.

The second edition of the Esports World Cup will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 8 July to 24 August 2025. Organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) and supported by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, this year’s tournament promises to be the largest yet. It will feature 26 tournaments across 25 different games, including popular titles such as Counter Strike 2, League of Legends, DOTA, Tekken 8, PUBG, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and EA Sports FC 25.

This year’s event sets new records with a prize pool of $70 million (€60m), making it one of the most lucrative esports competitions ever held. Over 2,000 players from around the world will compete for the title of the best in the world, showcasing the intense rivalry and high stakes that define competitive gaming.

A New Era for Chess in Esports

One of the most notable additions to the 2025 Esports World Cup is chess. Thanks to its resurgence on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, as well as sites such as Chess.com, the game has attracted a massive online audience. For the first time, chess will be included as an official competition in the Esports World Cup, with a prize pool of $1.5 million (€1.27m).

Some of the top names in the chess world have joined professional esports teams to compete. Five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana will represent Team Liquid, while Hikaru Nakamura has joined Team Falcons. Ian Nepomniachtchi will compete under Aurora Gaming, bringing together some of the greatest minds in the game.

High-Profile Collaborations and New Titles

Another major highlight of the 2025 event is the involvement of Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo. He was announced as the global ambassador of the Esports World Cup in June, lending his name and massive fan base to the event. His participation underscores the growing crossover between traditional sports and esports.

In addition to chess, several other games will make their debut at the 2025 Esports World Cup. These include the tactical shooters Crossfire and Valorant, the fast-paced battle royale game Naraka: Bladepoint, and the classic fighting game revival Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. These additions reflect the diversity and evolving nature of competitive gaming.

Expanding the Reach of Esports

The Esports World Cup is not only about the games and the prizes—it’s also about the experience. The event will be live-streamed on platforms such as Twitch and YouTube, allowing fans from around the world to follow the action in real time. This accessibility helps to further expand the reach of esports, bringing it to audiences who might not have had the chance to attend in person.

Esports has come a long way since its early days of casual competitions on arcade cabinets and home consoles. Over the past two decades, it has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry driven by high-speed internet, online streaming, and a generation that has grown up playing video games. Today, esports draws stadium-sized crowds, attracts major sponsors, and commands viewership numbers that rival those of traditional sports.

As the 2025 Esports World Cup approaches, it’s clear that the future of competitive gaming is brighter than ever. With new games, bigger prizes, and high-profile partnerships, the event is set to solidify esports’ place as a major force in the world of entertainment.