The Esports World Cup Foundation, the non-profit organization hosting the Esports World Cup, the world’s largest esports competition and gaming festival, celebrated the historic inaugural event with HRH Mohammed bin Salman in attendance by crowning Team Falcons the first Esports World Cup Club Champion on Sunday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
At the closing, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, said:
“The [Esports World Cup] EWC has underscored the transformative impact of esports and the pivotal role that this incomparable industry now plays in cultures and societies all around the world — its inclusive and empowering nature is something truly unique. For eight successive weeks, this unparalleled event has brought the entire international gaming community together like never before, inviting all to participate in this milestone moment in gaming and esports history. We could not be more delighted with what’s transpired this summer; it’s a historic moment in time that Saudi Arabia and the world will always remember fondly.”
The celebration was the culmination of eight weeks of fierce competition, with 1,500 athletes from over 200 clubs battling across 22 tournaments featuring 21 world-renowned titles, all competing for a record-breaking $60 million prize pool.
Across its eight-week run, the Esports World Cup recorded more than 500 million viewers who consumed over 250 million hours of content, making it the most-watched tournament in 2024. The event reached its highest peak concurrent viewership of 3.5 million during the League of Legends Grand Final, when legendary superstar Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok guided T1 to championship victory over Top Esports.
In total, more than two million fans visited the Esports World Cup festival in Boulevard City, which was transformed into the epicenter of gaming culture, featuring community tournaments, pop culture celebrations, concerts, and immersive international experiences.
At the Closing Ceremony, the victorious Team Falcons were presented the $7 million in prize money and the Esports World Cup Club Championship Trophy, by CEO Mossad Al-Dossary and HRH Mohammed bin Salman.
The Esports World Cup awarded an unprecedented total of more than $60 million in prize money — the largest prize pool in esports history – of which $20 million was reserved for the Club Championship, allocated across the top 16 finishers.
Team Falcons fielded competitors in 18 of the event’s 22 game championships, making them the most-represented Club at the Esports World Cup. The Club finished with 5,665 points, including two game championships (Call of Duty: Warzone, Free Fire) and six additional Top 3 finishes. After Team Falcons, Team Liquid (2,545 points, $4 million), Team BDS (2,000 points, $2 million), Team Vitality (1,650 points, $1.5 million) and T1 (1,600 points, $1.25 million) rounded out the Top 5.
Held at The Venue, the grand finale featured performances by international stars Kid Cudi, Rabeh Saqer, Sevdaliza, and Steve Aoki.
The Esports World Cup is set to Return to Riyadh in July and August 2025.
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