The inaugural Esports World Cup (EWC), held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has made history as the largest and most-watched esports event of 2024. The event, organised by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), saw over two million visitors flood the Saudi capital, with millions more tuning in online, as the global gaming community united for eight weeks of intense competition and celebration.
Culminating in a thrilling final weekend, Team Falcons emerged victorious, claiming the prestigious title of Esports World Cup Club Champion. The team was awarded $7 million in prize money, presented by HRH Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. The event was a significant milestone not only for the team but for the entire esports industry, with the EWC setting new standards in scale, viewership, and prize money.
Over 1,500 of the world’s top esports athletes, representing more than 200 teams from 100 countries, competed across 21 games, including popular titles such as League of Legends, Call of Duty, and Fortnite. The competition attracted a global audience of more than 500 million viewers, who consumed a staggering 250 million hours of content, making it the most-watched esports tournament of the year.
The League of Legends Grand Final, featuring esports legend Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok leading T1 to victory over Top Esports, drew a peak of 3.5 million concurrent viewers, highlighting the growing global appeal of esports.
HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, hailed the event as a transformative moment for esports. “The Esports World Cup 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,” he said.
Team Falcons dominated the competition, participating in 18 of the 22 game championships and finishing with 5,665 points. Their victories in Call of Duty: Warzone and Free Fire, along with six additional top-three finishes, secured their position at the top of the leaderboard. Following Team Falcons were Team Liquid, Team BDS, Team Vitality, and T1, all of whom shared in the unprecedented $60 million prize pool, the largest in esports history.
The EWC was more than just a competition. Riyadh’s Boulevard City was transformed into a vibrant hub of gaming culture, hosting community tournaments, pop culture events, concerts, and immersive experiences. The festival atmosphere attracted over two million fans, making it not only a sporting event but a cultural phenomenon.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, reflected on the success of the inaugural event. “The Esports World Cup has been an incredible success in year one, driving global esports to new heights. I’m proud of accomplishing what we set out to do: bringing together the best games, Clubs and players, offering a life-changing prize pool and building the world’s largest esports festival,” he said.
The event also featured the 2024 Esports Awards, celebrating the best in the industry, and the New Global Sport Conference, which brought together leaders from esports, gaming, business, and entertainment to explore the future of fandom.
The Esports World Cup is set to return to Riyadh in July and August 2025, promising to build on this year’s historic success and further solidify Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for esports.