Esports World Cup 2025 to feature $70m prize pool

The 2025 Esports World Cup, a multi-title esports event set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will feature a total $70m (~£54.3m) prize pool across all its tournaments taking place.

This year’s event marks a $10m (~£7.7m) increase from the prize pool distributed during its inaugural event in 2024.

According to a release, the increase in the prize pool makes the Esports World Cup ‘one of the most prestigious sporting events’ in the world. Moreover, the prize pool continues EWC’s aim of building ‘sustainable growth of the esports industry’.

The prize money will be split across a total of 25 competitions taking place between July and August this year as well as the Club Championship. The latter tournament rewards organisations, including those in its partner programme, for consistently performing across multiple EWC events..

“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,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation.

“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.”

$27m (~£20.9m) of the total prize pool will be up for grabs in the Club Championship, with $7m (~£5.4m) on offer to the organisation that earns the most points. The remainder of the prize pool will be split across each tournament, MVP awards, and qualifiers.

The inaugural Esports World Cup was won by Saudi Arabian organisation Team Falcons after scoring ten top-three finishes including two victories in Call of Duty: Warzone and Free Fire.

Despite the increase in prize money and the aim of promoting long-term esports growth, the Esports World Cup Foundation continues to generate criticism from sections of the community due to its involvement of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.

In recent years, discussions surrounding the Kingdom’s human rights record have remained as the country’s government looks to expand its presence in the world of sports and entertainment.