The eSports World Cup with a Prize Pool of Over $70 Million

Saudi Arabia – April 22, 2025 – www.zonadeazar.com The Esports World Cup will take place in Riyadh, featuring a record-breaking prize pool of over $70 million, the organization announced, as Saudi Arabia continues its push to become a global gaming hub.

This year’s tournament will expand to 24 disciplines, adding chess and the popular shooter game Valorant, by Riot Games, to last year’s lineup of 21 games.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia is betting big on the sector and will host the first Olympic Esports Games in 2027. This comes as part of a 12-year partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“What has grown organically over the past 25 years now has the support of public interest,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, to Reuters, adding that the investment is part of a “clear economic agenda.”

The event is part of Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030” economic diversification strategy, which has invested billions in various sporting events.

Chess Stars Join the Esports World Cup

The inclusion of chess, the centuries-old board game, in the Esports tournament comes after a revival during the pandemic. Today, the game continues to thrive through online competition platforms.

Reichert stated that eight of the world’s top ten players have signed with esports clubs. For example, Magnus Carlsen and Arjun Erigaisi are confirmed participants in this year’s tournament.

The total prize pool, exceeding last year’s $60 million, will be divided among the champions of the different games, as well as a $25 million fund for clubs to develop talent and support players.

This funding could be crucial for a sector that has faced financial instability, with several teams that rose to fame during the pandemic struggling with declining support since.

Business

Last month, Scopely, owned by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, acquired the gaming division of Niantic Labs—the company behind the augmented reality game Pokémon Go—for $3.5 billion.

Edited by: @_fonta – www.zonadeazar.com