2024 Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia: Transforming the Industry with a $60M Prize Pool
With the highest prize pool ever seen in esports, the 2024 Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia is poised to revolutionize the industry and set a positive tone for its future growth.
The 2024 Esports World Cup (EWC) is set to make history with its record-breaking prize pool, making it a significant event for the industry.
Hosted by the Esports World Cup Foundation, the EWC will gather gamers, publishers, and fans from around the globe for an exciting eight-week gaming competition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The latest details were revealed on Tuesday, adding to the anticipation for this epic event.
The tournament will feature top global clubs facing off in 19 esports titles, such as Apex Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, EA Sports FC 24, Fortnite, League of Legends, Rocket League, StarCraft II, Street Fighter 6, and TEKKEN 8.
Clubs will have the opportunity to select the games they want to compete in, and the team with the best overall performance will be named the first-ever Esports World Cup champion.
While many esports tournaments have seen a decrease in prize money due to financial challenges in the industry, the EWC stands out with a prize pool of over $60 million. The winnings will be distributed in various ways, including player bounties like $50,000 MVP awards for each competition and rewards for overall performance, with more than $33 million set aside for game competitions.
Fans watch a "League of Legends" tournament at the Zenith on May 18, 2018 in Paris, France
Fans watch a "League of Legends" tournament at the Zenith on May 18, 2018 in Paris, France
Chesnot/Getty Images
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Ralf Reichert, the CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, is excited about the potential impact of this new competition in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement, Reichert expressed his pride in not only setting a record for the largest esports prize pool but also in the positive message it sends to the broader esports and gaming community.
Our investment in the future of global esports is evident with over $60 million committed. This shows our dedication to providing exceptional events for esports fans and creating valuable competitive opportunities with life-changing prize pools for players around the world.
The debut event is scheduled to take place later this year in Saudi Arabia, a country that is making significant investments in the esports industry.
The event will take place in a venue with over 645,000 sq. ft. of space and will have four separate esport arenas. Organizers anticipate welcoming 2.9 million fans, and the event will also include two music concerts, as well as six drone and firework shows.
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The EWC continues Saudi Arabia’s large foray into esports – following last year’s Gamers8 event, which boasted a $45 million prize purse.
In recent years, the nation has put a lot of money into traditional sports like tennis, golf, boxing, and soccer.
The kingdom has denied accusations of "sportswashing," where countries use big sporting events to show a positive image globally and divert attention from potential wrongdoings.
The EWC will not be funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) but will instead be supported by a mix of the host nation’s funding and sponsorship agreements.
In 2023, Saudi Arabia introduced ‘The National Gaming and Esports Strategy’ (NGES) with the goal of establishing the country as the hub of competitive gaming globally by 2030.
Last October, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman revealed exciting news at the New Global Sport Conference. He announced that the Esports World Cup will be taking place in the kingdom. The Crown Prince expressed his vision for Saudi Arabia to become a leading global destination for gaming and esports. He emphasized that the Esports World Cup will provide an unparalleled gaming experience that will set new standards in the industry.
Editor's P/S:
The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2024 promises to be an unprecedented event in the industry, boasting a record-breaking prize pool of over $60 million. This tournament will gather the best global clubs competing in 19 esports titles, providing a platform for players to showcase their exceptional skills and earn life-changing winnings. The EWC's significant investment in the future of esports is a testament to its commitment to creating exceptional events for fans and providing valuable opportunities for players worldwide.
Saudi Arabia's significant investments in esports reflect its ambitions to become a global hub for competitive gaming. The EWC is part of the kingdom's broader strategy to diversify its economy and promote its image globally. While the tournament will not be funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, it will be supported by a mix of government funding and sponsorship agreements. The event is expected to draw a massive audience and feature a variety of entertainment options, including concerts and drone shows, further enhancing the overall experience for attendees.
