Esports World Cup 2025 Guide: Tournaments, Favorites, and Where to Watch!

The Esports World Cup 2025 arrives in full force in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, aiming to establish itself as the largest competitive gaming championship on the planet. A total of 25 tournaments will take place between July 8 and August 24, featuring 2,000 elite athletes from 200 organizations representing 100 countries — all competing for a share of the record-breaking $70 million prize pool, the largest in eSports history.

Organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation in partnership with ESL FACEIT Group, the event will have legendary Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo as its ambassador. The tournament introduces an innovative format that moves away from individual competitions by game title, standing out also with the Club Championship.

And if you’re an esports enthusiast eager to learn more about this competition, which will feature a series of unmissable tournaments, today is your lucky day. We’ve prepared this complete guide with everything you need to know about the Esports World Cup 2025 — which will be constantly updated with our coverage of the competition over the next two months. Let’s dive into everything EWC 2025 has to offer!

Esports World Cup 2025’s Tournaments and Games

The EWC 2025 will feature 25 tournaments across 24 of the biggest games in the global competitive scene — with Mobile Legends being the only title to host two championships: the Mid Season Cup and the Women’s Invitational.

Other major highlights of the Esports World Cup include Valorant, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (and Warzone), Crossfire, League of Legends, and Dota 2. Check out the full calendar of the Esports World Cup 2025 below:

• Dota 2: July 7–18, featuring 16 teams and a total prize pool of $3 million;
• Rennsport (Sim Racing): July 8–11, featuring nine teams and a total prize pool of $500,000;
• Valorant: July 7–12, featuring 16 teams and a total prize pool of $1.25 million;
• Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves: July 9–11, featuring 16 players and a total prize pool of $1 million;
• Honor of Kings (KWC): July 9–25, featuring 18 teams and a total prize pool of $3 million;
• Apex Legends: July 9–11, featuring 40 teams and a total prize pool of $2 million;
• Mobile Legends (Women's Invitational): July 14–18, featuring 16 teams and a total prize pool of $500,000;
• League of Legends: July 15–19, featuring 12 teams and a total prize pool of $2 million;
• Free Fire: July 15–19, featuring 18 teams and a total prize pool of $1 million;
• StarCraft II: July 21–24, featuring 18 players and a total prize pool of $700,000;
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6: July 23–26, featuring 16 teams and a total prize pool of $1.8 million;
• PUBG Mobile: July 24–August 2, featuring 24 teams and a total prize pool of $3 million;
• Chess (Online Chess): July 28–31, featuring 16 players and a total prize pool of $1.5 million;
• Mobile Legends (Mid Season Cup): July 29–August 1, featuring 23 teams and a total prize pool of $3 million;
• Overwatch 2 (Champions Series): July 30–August 2, featuring 16 teams and a total prize pool of $1 million;
• Rainbow Six Siege X: August 4–8, featuring 16 teams and a total prize pool of $2 million;
• Call of Duty: Warzone: August 5–8, featuring 21 teams and a total prize pool of $1 million;
• EA Sports FC 25 (FC Pro World Championship): August 6–9, featuring 32 players and a total prize pool of $1 million;
• Teamfight Tactics: August 10–14, featuring 16 teams and a total prize pool of $500,000;
• PUBG Battlegrounds: August 11–15, featuring 24 teams and a total prize pool of $2 million;
• Tekken 8: August 12–15, featuring 32 players and a total prize pool of $1 million;
• Rocket League: August 13–16, featuring 16 teams and a total prize pool of $1 million;
• Crossfire: August 18–22, featuring 16 teams and a total prize pool of $2 million;
• Street Fighter 6: August 19–22, featuring 48 players and a total prize pool of $1 million;
• Counter-Strike 2: August 19–23, featuring 16 teams and a total prize pool of $1.25 million.

What is the Esports World Cup 2025 Club Championship?

Of course, each tournament will have its own format, rules, and prize pool, but this year’s Esports World Cup will bring a major innovation: the Club Championship. This is a parallel competition that will crown the most consistent organization across the entire event, taking into account all disciplines.

In other words: throughout each of the 25 tournaments, teams will accumulate points based on their placement within the top eight of each competition. A cash prize pool of up to $7 million will be awarded, and only those who win at least one competition and finish in the top eight of two events will be eligible to dream of claiming it.

Check out the record-breaking $27 million prize pool for the Club Championship and how it will be distributed:

• 1st place: $7 million
• 2nd place: $4 million
• 3rd place: $3 million
• 4th place: $2.5 million
• 5th place: $2 million
• 6th place: $1.5 million
• 7th place: $1 million
• 8th place: $850,000
• 9th place: $700,000
• 10th place: $600,000
• 11th place: $525,000
• 12th place: $450,000
• 13th place: $400,000
• 14th place: $350,000
• 15th place: $325,000
• 16th place: $300,000
• 17th place: $275,000
• 18th place: $250,000
• 19th place: $225,000
• 20th place: $200,000
• 21st place: $175,000
• 22nd place: $150,000
• 23rd place: $125,000
• 24th place: $100,000

Now it's time to talk about the most important part: each tournament of the Esports World Cup 2025. We will constantly update this article with our coverage, so make sure to keep an eye on it. Check out below each championship we'll see in Riyadh:

Dota 2

Returning to EWC 2025 as one of the pillars of the tournament, Dota 2 will close out the ESL Pro Tour in grand style. From July 7 to 19, the arena will host epic showdowns between the true titans of the game.

16 of the world’s best organizations are divided into four groups and will battle it out in the Group Stage until July 10 — including Talon, Team Spirit, Tundra Esports, and Team Liquid.

Prize Pool

$3 million: $50,000 for 13th to 16th place and $1 million for the champion.

Club Championship Points

• Champion: 1,000
• Runner-up: 750
• 3rd Place: 500
• 4th Place: 300
• 5th–8th Place: 200

Tournament’s Format

The Dota 2 competition at the EWC will be divided into three strategic phases, designed to separate legends from mere mortals. It begins with the Group Stage from July 8 to 10, followed by the Gauntlet Stage (Intermediate Knockouts) played on July 12 and 13. Finally, the Playoffs will take place from July 16 to 18.

Where to Watch

The journey of the Dota 2 titans at EWC 2025 can be followed live on the tournament’s official Twitch, YouTube, and EWC website channels, with in-depth analysis panels, expert commentary, and multilingual coverage, including Portuguese.

Check out our full guide on the Dota 2 tournament at the Esports World Cup 2025!

Valorant

Sharp tactics, flawless executions, and heart-pounding clutches. The Valorant tournament at the Esports World Cup 2025 will be one of the first competitions to kick off the event and promises to take competitive FPS to a new level.

Riot Games’ Hero Shooter will have a short run at the EWC: it will be played from July 7 to 12, featuring the 16 best teams in the world — with highlights including Fnatic, Gen.G Esports, and Bilibili Gaming fighting for the title.

Prize Pool

$1.25 million: $15,000 for 13th to 16th place and $500,000 for the champion.

Club Championship Points

• Champion: 1,000
• Runner-up: 750
• 3rd Place: 500
• 4th Place: 300
• 5th–8th Place: 200

Tournament’s Format

The Group Stage features 16 teams divided into four groups, using a double-elimination-like system between July 8 and 10. The winners of the first match face each other for the group lead, while the losers clash to determine who will challenge the losing team from the winners’ match for the second qualifying spot.

Then, the Playoffs will be held from July 11 to 13, featuring Quarterfinals, Semifinals, the Grand Final, and a 3rd Place match.

Where to Watch

Watch it live on the official tournament channels, available in Portuguese and other languages.

Check out our full guide on the Valorant tournament at the Esports World Cup 2025!

Rennsport

A highlight among racing simulators, Teyon’s game speeds toward the future of the genre as part of EWC 2025. Kicking off the tournament from July 7 to 11, Rennsport will see nine competitors thrill fans on virtual tracks.

Top racing teams will be represented, including reigning champion BMW M Team Redline, Red Bull Sim Racing, Porsche Coanda Esports, and Atlassian Williams — alongside traditional esports organizations like Team Vitality and Team Falcons.

Prize Pool

$500,000: $10,000 for 9th place and $200,000 for the champion.

Club Championship Points

• Champion: 1,000
• Runner-up: 750
• 3rd Place: 500
• 4th Place: 300
• 5th Place: 200
• 6th Place: 150
• 7th Place: 100
• 8th Place: 50

Tournament’s Format

The competition will be divided into four phases resembling a real motorsport championship — from the Last Chance Stage on July 8 to the Group Stage the following day. The Bracket Stage takes place on July 10, followed by the Finals.

Where to Watch

The races will be broadcast live on EWC’s official channels, with expert commentary and real-time graphics.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

For the first time in its history, Fatal Fury joins the roster of competitive titles at the Esports World Cup. From July 9 to 11, SNK revives one of the most iconic fighting game franchises in a tournament that blends tradition and modernity.

And it’s not just prestige on the line: the $1 million cash prize and crucial points for the Club Championship make every fight even more decisive.

Prize Pool

$1 million: $30,000 for 13th to 16th place and $300,000 for the champion.

Club Championship Points

• Champion: 1,000
• Runner-up: 750
• 3rd Place: 500
• 4th Place: 300
• 5th–8th Place: 200

Tournament’s Format

It begins with a Group Stage between July 10 and 11, with four groups organized in an Upper Bracket and Lower Bracket structure — and two teams advancing. Next, the Playoffs kick off with the Quarterfinals on July 12, leading to the Grand Final on July 13.

Apex Legends (Global Series)

Among the most anticipated tournaments of the Esports World Cup, the Apex Legends Global Series lands at the Qiddiya Arena, promising high excitement from July 9 to 12. These are the Midseason Playoffs (ALGS Midseason) bringing together the top 40 squads on the planet — with highlights including Gen.G Esports, Fnatic, and Team Liquid.

Prize Pool

$1 million: $3,000 for 39th–40th place and $600,000 for the champion.

Club Championship Points

• Champion: 1,000
• Runner-up: 750
• 3rd Place: 500
• 4th Place: 300
• 5th Place: 200
• 6th Place: 150
• 7th Place: 100
• 8th Place: 50

Tournament’s Format

The Apex Legends competition kicks off with Pool Play, where the top seven teams from each group qualify directly for the decisive phase. The others enter the Last Chance Qualifier, and the top six teams from this stage complete the Top 20 for the finals.

In the final stage, the Match Point system comes into play: teams must reach 50 points and then win a match to claim the title.

Where to Watch

Matches will be streamed live on the official channels of the Apex Legends Global Series and the Esports World Cup on Twitch and YouTube.

Check out our complete guide to the Apex Legends tournament at the Esports World Cup 2025!

Bet on the Esports World Cup at Blaze!

This article will be updated throughout the entirety of the Esports World Cup 2025 — after all, we wouldn’t miss covering the biggest gaming competition of the year! Stay tuned, as we’ll be adding links to our articles on each tournament.

Now that you’ve dived into the formats and epic battles of the world’s biggest esports tournament, how about turning your passion into winning predictions? At Blaze, you’ll find a safe, intuitive, and complete environment to bet on the games of EWC 2025.

Remember to bet responsibly, following all the principles of Responsible Gambling. Read our eSports betting guide for more tips on how to enjoy every match of your favorite game — without going Game Over or falling into risks that could harm your mental health and finances. After all, betting is entertainment, not investment.