2025 Esports World Cup opens in Riyadh with global participation
The Esports World Cup is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to position itself as a global hub for digital entertainment
The 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC) officially commenced in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking one of the most significant events in the global esports calendar, as reported by Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The tournament brings together 200 elite esports clubs and over 2,000 professional players from across the globe, competing in 24 game titles and 25 individual events.
China has fielded 22 teams participating across 23 different titles, underlining its growing influence and investment in the global esports landscape, the source claims.
The tournament will continue until 24 August, offering nearly two months of high-level international competition and fan engagement.
According to the source, the Esports World Cup is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to position itself as a global hub for digital entertainment, technology, and youth-centred cultural exchange.
Photo: iStock
-
![]()
Sport31.08.26Brazil wins seven medals at Parapan-Pacific Swimming Championships and sets world record -
![]()
Sport28.08.26Brazilian athlete breaks 400m hurdles world record with 45.80 seconds -
![]()
Sport07.08.26Egypt secures hosting rights for 2027 World Darts Championship -
![]()
Sport07.08.26TV BRICS to premiere international media project dedicated to FIFA World Cup 2026™ for its television audience -
![]()
Sport05.08.26Egypt wins Arab Youth Chess Championship -
![]()
Sport30.07.26UAE chess team claims 18 victories in opening round of Youth Arab Championship
-
![Xi Jinping]()
Xi JinpingPresident of the People’s Republic of China"The foundation of our bilateral relations will only grow stronger, and we will confidently move forward to a better future. […] The striving of nations on our planet for peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit remains unchanged. The vital mission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is to maintain stability and promote the development of our region" -
![Alisher Salomov]()
Alisher SalomovAdviser to the Chairman of the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan"First and foremost, I would like to highlight the importance of this Central Asia–Russia initiative, because environmental problems know no borders, and only a shared understanding of these problems and the search for joint solutions can deliver positive results" -
![Joao Paulo Capobianco]()
Joao Paulo CapobiancoBrazilian Minister of the Environment and Climate Change"The BRICS countries have a very high level of responsibility because they share an important part of the world's biodiversity, landscapes, populations, food production and water resources. So, we have an opportunity to lead by example. We have our development bank, which can demonstrate and develop new ways of financing programmes. We can reduce the risks for private capital to invest in restoration and efforts to combat desertification" -
![Dilma Rousseff]()
Dilma RousseffPresident of the New Development Bank"India’s BRICS Presidency this year gives special significance to our discussion. NDB stands ready to be a trusted partner in turning commitments on sustainability, clean energy, smart and resilient infrastructure into concrete results on the ground. […] For NDB, mobilising private capital is a strategic imperative. Created by the BRICS founding members, NDB is a bank of the Global South, for the Global South, mandated to mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development" -
![Sihasak Phuangketkeow]()
Sihasak PhuangketkeowDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand"BRICS can play a very important role in maintaining the free flow of trade and investment. The group can also be a vehicle for all of us to engage and to look at economic opportunities"
