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Top players vie for Esports World Cup glory in Saudi Arabia
The organisers of the Esports World Cup also roped in Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most celebrated athletes of all time, as the global ambassador of the event
- PUBLISHED: Tue 8 Jul 2025, 5:46 PM
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Armed with the support from football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC) got underway on July 7 in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh.
The mega event, which will run until August 24, will feature the world’s top esports players and clubs, allowing fans to enjoy gaming, culture, and entertainment.
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This year’s edition has a prize money of $70 million and will feature 25 tournaments across 24 global games, 2,000 elite players, and 200 clubs from over 100 countries.
The organisers of the Esports World Cup also roped in Ronaldo, one of the most celebrated athletes of all time, as the global ambassador of the event.
Ronaldo’s appointment marks a defining milestone for the Esports World Cup and signals the continued rise of competitive gaming as a global sport. A five-time Ballon d’Or winner and a symbol of elite performance, Ronaldo brings a powerful presence and cultural resonance that transcends traditional sports, helping connect millions of fans to the next generation of esports athletes.
As global ambassador, Ronaldo will headline the tournament’s global campaign throughout the seven-week competition and festival in Riyadh. He also stars as a playable character in FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, one of the 25 tournament titles in this year’s Esports World Cup games lineup. With a social media following of over one billion, Ronaldo’s voice will help bring the tournament to new audiences and introduce the next generation of fans to the elite players of competitive gaming.
Ronaldo’s participation will also highlight the Esports World Cup’s 2025 creative theme, “Rise Above,” a campaign celebrating unlocking human potential, pushing the boundaries and going beyond the norms in the pursuit of greatness — values exemplified by Ronaldo and mirrored by the athletes competing across 25 tournaments this summer.
The event will also offer visitors a great opportunity to enjoy Saudi Arabia’s famous hospitality and the unique blend of heritage and world-class entertainment.
The Kingdom has invested heavily in sport over the last few years, bringing high-profile tennis, golf and boxing events to the country apart from the Formula One race.
Esports, which made its debut as a medal event at the Asian Games in 2023, has become very popular in Saudi Arabia as the Gulf country is also preparing to host the maiden Esports Olympics in 2027.
"The first edition of the Olympic Esports Games, a landmark event both in the world of esports and within the Olympic Movement, will be held in 2027 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia," the IOC said in a statement.
"The Road to the Games with the first Olympic competitions will already start this year."
