Over $70 Million in Prize Money at EWC 2025

The largest prize pool in esports history has been announced for the Esports World Cup 2025, which returns to Riyadh from 7 July to 24 August 2025. The New Global Sports Conference returns for the closing weekend.

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced a prize pool of over $70 million for the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC). Set to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the esports event will take place from 7 July to 24 August. The total prize pool is a $10 million increase from last summer's inaugural event.

"The record-breaking $70+ million prize pool, along with our commitment to the Club Partner Program and our multi-year publisher agreements, is a privilege to announce and validation of our purpose to elevate the industry, by giving players, clubs, publishers and all other stakeholders the stability needed to invest for future success," said Ralf Reichert, CEO, Esports World Cup Foundation. "While more than $70 million is an incredible, life-changing sum, it's always aligned with a long-term vision rather than short-term impact. It's not just to have more money at stake, but to create opportunities for everyone at every level of the ecosystem, and strengthen the industry for generations to come."

With 25 tournaments across 24 games announced to date, including four new games (Chess, Crossfire, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves and Valorant), EWC 2025 will bring together over 2,000 esports players and 200 top clubs. Tickets for EWC 2025 are on sale now. The 2024 event attracted over 500 million online viewers and 2.6 million visitors to Riyadh's Boulevard City.

In addition, the New Global Sport Conference, a event that brings together global leaders in esports, gaming, sports, entertainment and technology "to shape the future of global sports", will return to Riyadh on 23-24 August 2025. The conference will bring together 1,500 industry leaders and decision makers.

The EWC Club Championship (cross-game competitive format) will award $27 million of the total prize pool to the top 16 clubs based on their overall performance, with $7 million allocated to the 2025 winner. After the Club Championship's allocation, the remainder of the total prize pool will be divided into three categories: Game Championships, MVP Awards and Qualifiers on the Road to the EWC. Each of the Game Championships will have its own prize pool with a combined total of over $38 million. In addition, a $450,000 MVP Award pool will be awarded to outstanding participants in all competitions. More than $5 million will be awarded to the Road to EWC Qualifiers, where teams and players will compete for the remaining tournament spots.

"Winning the Club Championship crown and $7 million at the inaugural Esports World Cup was a defining moment for Team Falcons," said Mosaad Al-Dossary, CEO of Team Falcons. "The opportunity to compete in front of our home fans, where they made the arenas shake with every great play, motivated us like never before, and it was an honor to secure the victory for them. We've used the momentum and winnings from last year to build on our success and we look forward to continuing that legacy this summer."

"Competing at the inaugural EWC contributed to one of the most successful competitive years in our 24-year history, securing a strong second-place finish in the EWC 2024 Club Championship," said Steve Arhancet, Co-CEO of Team Liquid. "With our winnings, we expanded into new games like chess, strengthened our international presence in Southeast Asia, and supported philanthropic initiatives. The experience, momentum, and rosters we've built over the past year put us in the perfect position to claim the Championship crown at EWC 2025. We believe this to be our year."

The EWCF recently announced that 40 clubs have joined its Club Partner Programme, which provides clubs with financial support to grow their brand and global fanbase: 100 Thieves, All Gamers, Bilibili Gaming, Cloud9, Edward Gaming, Evos, FaZe Clan, Fnatic, Furia, G2 Esports, Gaimin Gladiators, Gen.G, Gentle Mates, Heroic, JD Gaming, Karmine Corp, Movistar Koi, Leviatan, Loud, Mouz, Navi, NIP.eStar, Onic, Powr, Reject, S8UL, Sentinels, T1, Team BDS, Team Falcons, Team Liquid, Team RRQ, Team Secret, Team Spirit, Team Vitality, Twisted Minds, Virtus.pro, Weibo Gaming, Wolves Esports and Zeta Division. German clubs Mouz and G2 Esports are part of this programme.

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