The inaugural Esports World Cup (EWC) explodes onto the scene in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, captivating fans with a colossal prize pool and an unprecedented range of competitive gaming experiences. Replacing the Gamers8 festival, the EWC marks a significant evolution for esports on the global stage.
Running from July 4 to August 25, it features a staggering 22 esports tournaments across 21 unique video games. From juggernauts like League of Legends and Dota 2 to mobile gaming stars like PUBG Mobile and Free Fire, the EWC caters to a vast and diverse audience of esports enthusiasts.
The EWC boasts a historic combined prize pool exceeding $60 million, the largest in esports history. This substantial sum fuels competition across various categories, including individual game championships, the innovative Club Championship, qualifiers, and Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards.
The Club Championship, a unique feature, pits esports organizations against each other in an aggregated points competition across multiple games. This fosters a spirit of teamwork and strategic planning, extending competition beyond individual titles. The prize money breakdown sees $20 million awarded to the top 16 teams in the Club Championship, with each of the 20 Game Championships offering a combined prize pool exceeding $3 million. Teams will also compete for over $7 million during qualifying events, and MVPs of each event walk away with $50,000.
Beyond high-stakes tournaments, the Esports World Cup offers a vibrant festival atmosphere. Visitors can experience exciting activations, meet renowned pro gamers and content creators, and immerse themselves in the ever-evolving world of esports. The event coincides with the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC24), which brings together leading figures from esports, traditional sports, and the gaming industry to discuss the future of this rapidly growing phenomenon.
Qualification for each title involved individual tournaments or invitations based on past performance and circuit placements. Most participating teams will be familiar faces within their respective esports scenes. Over 150 teams have qualified for at least one title, with major esports organizations fielding rosters across multiple games to maximize their Club Championship potential.
The EWC 2024 promises to be a landmark event, pushing the boundaries of esports competition and offering a captivating experience for fans worldwide.
Where to watch:
Esports enthusiasts in India can watch the competition on Star Sports.