The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), dedicated to fostering growth in esports and gaming, has joined forces with Sony Group Corporation (Sony), a Japanese multinational conglomerate in a multi-year partnership.
This collaboration will see Sony become a founding partner of the Esports World Cup.
The partnership leverages Sony’s strengths in gaming and entertainment alongside the EWC’s vision of uniting global gaming and esports communities. Together, they aim to broaden the appeal of esports and gaming for players and fans worldwide.
Sony’s involvement goes beyond just a founding partner title. Sony Pictures Entertainment will create a behind-the-scenes documentary series to showcase the players and games of the Esports World Cup.
Additionally, Sony, alongside Sony Interactive Entertainment, will explore ways to support up-and-coming creators and talent. The partnership will also feature Sony Music Entertainment, which will produce the official anthem for the 2024 Esports World Cup.
Ralf Reichert, CEO, Esports World Cup Foundation, said, “Sony is the perfect partner for the Esports World Cup. Our goal is to establish a global platform for esports and gaming that sets new standards for live esports events. Sony’s experience in creating stunning visuals, engaging music, compelling storytelling, and state-of-the-art technology will be a game-changer for the Esports World Cup. The EWC aims to take esports to the next level, and we are thrilled to count on Sony’s world class expertise in this endeavor.”
Toshimoto Mitomo, Executive Deputy President and CSO, Sony Group Corporation, said, “We’re excited to make the Esports World Cup more fun and engaging for fans globally by harnessing the creativity and technology from across our diverse businesses. Sony has been enhancing the esports experience especially with Sony Interactive Entertainment’s initiatives such as PlayStation Tournaments and the annual EVO fighting game series. We look forward to further catering to this growing, global community of players and fans with the Esports World Cup.”
Sony Group Corporation is a leader in creative entertainment with a strong foundation in technology. Across its diverse business segments, Sony strives to “fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology.” This commitment aligns well with the growing passion for esports. It’s worth noting that Sony recently embarked on a significant three-year partnership with World Athletics, further solidifying its dedication to competitive gaming.
The esports scene is exploding in popularity worldwide, so much so that it recently secured its place as a competitive sport in the 19th Asian Games. This growing interest is evident in other recent developments: Krafton, the company behind the global phenomenon PUBG Mobile, signed a strategic agreement with the Gujarat government to establish Gujarat as a flourishing hub for gaming and esports.
The inaugural Esports World Cup 2024 is set to take place this summer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Top esports organisations will battle it out in a unique cross-game format, vying for the largest prize pool ever seen in esports history. The EWC has already confirmed the participation of ten popular titles, including Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Honor of Kings, PUBG, PUBG Mobile, Overwatch, Free Fire, Rocket League, Fortnite, and Rainbow Six Siege, with more games to be announced soon.