Esports World Cup period draws 300,000 foreign visitors to Riyadh

25/08/2025 05:50 AST

The Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC 2025), which concluded in Riyadh on Sunday, set a new viewership record in its second year, recording 750 million viewers.

The competition and festival drew 3 million visitors to Riyadh's Boulevard City, topping last summer's 2.6 million. During the event period (July 4 - August 24), Riyadh also welcomed an estimated 300,000 international tourists, a 7.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024, further underscoring the city's growing appeal as a global destination for esports, entertainment, and culture, said a statement from Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF).

Team Falcons claimed the Club Championship Trophy and the $7 million grand prize at the tournament. HRH Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, presented the award to Musaad AlDossar, CEO of Team Falcons, with international icon Cristiano Ronaldo delivering the trophy to the stage in a memorable closing ceremony.

After seven weeks of fierce competition that came down to the final weekend of play, Team Falcons amassed 5,200 points across 22 tournaments, including victories in Overwatch 2 and top finishes in Dota 2, Chess, PUBG Battlegrounds, Rocket League and Counter-Strike 2. Team Liquid (4,200 points), Team Vitality (4,050 points), Twisted Minds (3,200 points) and Virtus.pro (3,200 points) rounded out the top five of the final Club Championship ranking, said EWCF.

Heading into the final two weeks of competition, seven clubs were still in contention, as only 1,500 points separated the 1st and 7th places. The race narrowed to five contenders after Week 6, and Team Falcons sealed the Club Championship in Week 7 when Team Liquid's Street Fighter 6 player Alan "Nephew" Sun was eliminated, ending Team Liquid's hopes of overtaking them.

Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, said: "With the unwavering support of our leadership and the continuous guidance from His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Esports World Cup has once again showcased the transformative impact of esports and the pivotal role this industry now plays in cultures and societies across the globe. The organizational success of the tournament's second edition reflects the Kingdom's ability to host and manage the world's largest events at the highest standards, while embodying the progress of the National Gaming and Esports Strategy. I extend my congratulations to Team Falcons on their outstanding achievement."

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said: "The Esports World Cup has once again raised the bar, showing that it stands among the largest sports properties in the world. 2025 wasn't just about more games, more Clubs, or even a record $70+ million prize pool: it was about purpose. From players chasing their dreams to Clubs building sustainable futures, from publishers reaching new audiences to fans rallying on a global stage, the EWC is delivering real impact. Team Falcons embodied that spirit with consistency and fire across so many titles. After just two years, the Esports World Cup is no longer a bold idea; it's the foundation of a global sport. And in 2026, we'll take it even further, together."

Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, said: "The Esports World Cup 2025 has been nothing short of extraordinary, and the Club Championship finale this past weekend provided a thrilling conclusion to an unforgettable event. Congratulations to Team Falcons, whose back-to-back victories have set a new benchmark for excellence in competitive esports. Bringing together the world's top teams in state-of-the-art arenas, the Esports World Cup continues to showcase the very best of global esports talent and innovation. Beyond the competition, we are committed to strengthening our strategic partnerships, collaborating with leading publishers, brands and creators - building groundbreaking opportunities that will shape the future of the industry. This is just the beginning. As esports continues to grow, we remain dedicated to elevating the experience for players, fans, and the wider community."

Trade Arabia