The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced a new partnership with Saudi, Welcome to Arabia, the official destination brand of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) for the 2025 Esports World Cup, the world’s largest esports event. Taking place in Riyadh from July 7 to August 24, EWC will welcome audiences from around the world, working with the STA to showcase the destination’s cultural heritage and entertainment offerings.
The collaboration furthers Riyadh’s position as a leading destination for world-class sports and entertainment, as well as authentic, immersive experiences rooted in Saudi hospitality. The STA and EWCF will develop a host of cultural programming and tailored activations for fans, with experiences ranging from high-stakes competition to live music, anime cafés, retro arcades, cosplay, and more. Visitors will be able to explore beyond EWC, partaking in Saudi’s mix of heritage, nature, luxury and modernity, from its cities and ancient UNESCO sites, to Saudi Red Sea escapes.
“We’re excited to work with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) to welcome fans from around the world to Riyadh this summer,” said François Desir, head of sponsorship. “The Esports World Cup brings together players, clubs, and communities from every corner of the globe—and our partnership is about making their experience here unforgettable. It’s a celebration of competition, culture and the unique hospitality that defines Saudi.”
In 2024, the inaugural EWC welcomed 2.6 million visitors, 14 percent of whom traveled from overseas. For 2025, expanded programming, increased venue capacity and early travel packages supported by Saudi, Welcome to Arabia, have led to 40 percent of ticket sales to date being from international fans. This year’s EWC promises to be bigger and better, supporting Saudi’s profile as a destination for global gaming and live entertainment.
Returning to Riyadh, the Esports World Cup will unite global gaming communities for a celebration of esports culture. With 25 tournaments across 24 games, 2,000 elite players, and 200 clubs from over 100 countries, this year’s EWC features the largest prize pool in esports history—over $70 million.
For more information, visit www.esportsworldcup.com.
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