Esports World Cup 2025 Set New Viewership Records in Its Second Year

The Esports World Cup 2025 came to a close on Sunday. After seven weeks of competition, Team Falcons were crowned club champions of the tournament. The EWC attracted a total of 750 million viewers, 350 million hours of online streaming, and 3 million visitors on site in Riyadh.

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced the conclusion of the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC 2025), which took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. There, Team Falcons claimed the Club Championship Trophy and the $7 million grand prize. After seven weeks of competition, Team Falcons amassed 5,200 points across 22 tournaments, achieving victories in Overwatch 2 and securing top finishes in Dota 2, Chess, PUBG Battlegrounds, Rocket League, and Counter-Strike 2. Team Liquid (4,200 points), Team Vitality (4,050 points), Twisted Minds (3,200 points) and Virtus.pro (also 3,200 points) completed the top five in the final Club Championship rankings.

In its second year, the EWC 2025 set new viewership records, with 750 million viewers - with a peak of 7.98 million viewers during Gen.G Esports' victory in Week 2's League of Legends tournament. The event was also watched for 350 million hours, outperforming the inaugural event of 2024 across the board. The competition and festival also attracted 3 million visitors to Riyadh's Boulevard City, surpassing last summer's figure of 2.6 million. During the event period (4 July to 24 August), Riyadh welcomed an estimated 300,000 international tourists, which is a 7.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation said: "With the unwavering support of our leadership and the continuous guidance from His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Esports World Cup has once again showcased the transformative impact of esports and the pivotal role this industry now plays in cultures and societies across the globe. The organizational success of the tournament's second edition reflects the Kingdom's ability to host and manage the world's largest events at the highest standards, while embodying the progress of the National Gaming and Esports Strategy. I extend my congratulations to Team Falcons on their outstanding achievement."

The EWC 2025 featured over 2,000 players from 100 countries and 200 clubs competing in 25 tournaments. A total prize pool of more than $70 million was awarded. This included $27 million for the Club Championship, which was distributed among the top 24 finishers.

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said: "The Esports World Cup has once again raised the bar, showing that it stands among the largest sports properties in the world. 2025 wasn't just about more games, more Clubs, or even a record $70+ million prize pool: it was about purpose. From players chasing their dreams to Clubs building sustainable futures, from publishers reaching new audiences to fans rallying on a global stage, the EWC is delivering real impact. Team Falcons embodied that spirit with consistency and fire across so many titles. After just two years, the Esports World Cup is no longer a bold idea; it's the foundation of a global sport. And in 2026, we'll take it even further, together."

Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation said: "The Esports World Cup 2025 has been nothing short of extraordinary, and the Club Championship finale this past weekend provided a thrilling conclusion to an unforgettable event. Congratulations to Team Falcons, whose back-to-back victories have set a new benchmark for excellence in competitive esports. Bringing together the world's top teams in state-of-the-art arenas, the Esports World Cup continues to showcase the very best of global esports talent and innovation. Beyond the competition, we are committed to strengthening our strategic partnerships, collaborating with leading publishers, brands and creators – building groundbreaking opportunities that will shape the future of the industry. This is just the beginning. As esports continues to grow, we remain dedicated to elevating the experience for players, fans, and the wider community."

The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 featured appearances by Ronaldo, Carlsen, Tony Hawk, Lando Norris, Gerard Piqué, Ronaldo Nazário, Kaká, Alisha Lehmann, Nick Kyrgios, David Harbour, Gabe Basso, Daniel Sturridge, creators like the Sidemen, and Hideo Kojima.

The Esports World Cup will return to Riyadh from 6 July to 23 August 2026 for its third edition.

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