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NewsLatest NewsOverwatchThe seven-week video game competition is being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and games featured include Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Chess and Street Fighter 6There’s a staggering prize pool of more than £50million(Image: Getty Images)Gaming fans around the world will be glued to their screens even more than usual – after the eSports World Cup opened today with a staggering prize pool of more than £50million.
The seven-week video game competition is being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and fans across the globe will be able to watch 7,000+ hours of live competition.
Billed as the world’s largest eSports and gaming festival, 2,000 elite gamers will span 25 tournaments across 24 leading video game titles.
They include Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Chess, Street Fighter 6, EA FC 25, Rocket League, Tekken 8 and Overwatch 2.
Speaking at the opening press conference, HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of Saudi eSports Federation, said: “We’re immensely proud to welcome the world back to Riyadh for the Esports World Cup – an event that showcases the scale, ambition, and future of esports and gaming.”
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, added: “EWC 2025 is about bringing the gaming world together – iconic games, elite players, and millions of fans around a shared celebration.
“Through new ways of global broadcasts, original shows, and documentary storytelling, we’re opening doors, creating opportunities, and sharing eSports in new and exciting ways.
“With record-breaking competition, this summer is special – not just for gamers, but for everyone who joins us.”
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