The 2025 Esports World Cup is set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and will feature an impressive total prize pool of $70 million (approximately £54.3 million) across all its tournaments. This year’s event represents a significant increase of $10 million (around £7.7 million) from the amount distributed during the inaugural event held in 2024.
This increase in the prize pool has positioned the Esports World Cup as “one of the most prestigious sporting events” globally. It also aligns with the organization’s goal of fostering the “sustainable growth of the esports industry.”
The prize money will be distributed across 25 competitions scheduled from July to August this year, including the Club Championship. This particular tournament rewards organizations, especially those within the partner program, for consistently high performance across various EWC events.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, commented, “The record-breaking $70m 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.” He further emphasized the importance of this funding, stating, “While more than $70m 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.”
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Of the total prize pool, $27 million (around £20.9 million) will be allocated to the Club Championship, with $7 million (approximately £5.4 million) awarded to the organization that secures the most points. The remainder of the prize money will be divided among the various tournaments, MVP awards, and qualifiers.
The inaugural Esports World Cup was claimed by Team Falcons, a Saudi Arabian organization, which achieved ten top-three finishes, including two first-place victories in Call of Duty: Warzone and Free Fire.
Despite the substantial increase in prize money and the foundation’s efforts to promote long-term growth in esports, the Esports World Cup Foundation faces ongoing criticism from certain sectors of the community. This scrutiny primarily stems from its connections to the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, amidst broader conversations regarding the Kingdom’s human rights record as it seeks to expand its influence in sports and entertainment. 2025 Esports World Cup
