https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/16/sport/esports-world-cup-saudi-arabia-spt-intl/index.html
CNN —
Boasting the largest prize pool in esports history, this year’s inaugural 2024 Esports World Cup (EWC) could prove to be a pivotal moment for the industry.
Organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation – and with the latest details announced on Tuesday – the EWC will bring together gamers, publishers and fans from across the world under one roof for an eight-week competitive gaming bonanza in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The tournament will include top global clubs competing against each other across 19 esports titles, including Apex Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, EA Sports FC 24, Fortnite, League of Legends, Rocket League, StarCraft II, Street Fighter 6 and TEKKEN 8.
Clubs will be able to choose which games they participate in before the best performing team across the various championships will be crowned the ultimate Esports World Cup champion for the very first time.
While other esports prize purses have shrunk due to well-reported financial struggles felt across the industry, the EWC boasts over $60 million in prize money, which will be broken down into different categories such as player bounties ($50,000 MVP awards per individual competition) and prizes for overall performance (over $33 million allocated for the game competitions).
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It also comes after a difficult period in which the industry saw large-scale layoffs, which included game developer and publisher Riot Games letting 11% of its workforce go at the start of the year.
According to the New York Times, esports leagues are struggling to make money, while sponsors have slashed their advertising budgets and many teams are now operating at a loss.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, hopes this new competition in Saudi Arabia can be a game changer.
“Setting the record for largest esports prize pool is a remarkable achievement, but what I’m most proud of is the positive message this sends to the wider esports and gaming community,” Reichert said in a statement.
“More than $60 million is a testament to our investment in the future of global esports, a commitment to esports fans who deserve exceptional events and an extension of our mission to create meaningful competitive opportunities with life-changing prize pools for esports players everywhere.”
The debut event will held later this year in Saudi Arabia – a nation looking to invest heavily in the esports industry.
The event will have over 645,000 sq. ft. of venue space and features four separate esport arenas. Organizers say they expect to welcome 2.9 million fans through its doors, with the event to include two music concerts, as well as six drone and firework shows.
CNN —
Boasting the largest prize pool in esports history, this year’s inaugural 2024 Esports World Cup (EWC) could prove to be a pivotal moment for the industry.
Organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation – and with the latest details announced on Tuesday – the EWC will bring together gamers, publishers and fans from across the world under one roof for an eight-week competitive gaming bonanza in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The tournament will include top global clubs competing against each other across 19 esports titles, including Apex Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, EA Sports FC 24, Fortnite, League of Legends, Rocket League, StarCraft II, Street Fighter 6 and TEKKEN 8.
Clubs will be able to choose which games they participate in before the best performing team across the various championships will be crowned the ultimate Esports World Cup champion for the very first time.
While other esports prize purses have shrunk due to well-reported financial struggles felt across the industry, the EWC boasts over $60 million in prize money, which will be broken down into different categories such as player bounties ($50,000 MVP awards per individual competition) and prizes for overall performance (over $33 million allocated for the game competitions).
RELATED ARTICLEThe Asian Games’ golden ticket: South Korea’s esports stars target medal success – and a military exemption
It also comes after a difficult period in which the industry saw large-scale layoffs, which included game developer and publisher Riot Games letting 11% of its workforce go at the start of the year.
According to the New York Times, esports leagues are struggling to make money, while sponsors have slashed their advertising budgets and many teams are now operating at a loss.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, hopes this new competition in Saudi Arabia can be a game changer.
“Setting the record for largest esports prize pool is a remarkable achievement, but what I’m most proud of is the positive message this sends to the wider esports and gaming community,” Reichert said in a statement.
“More than $60 million is a testament to our investment in the future of global esports, a commitment to esports fans who deserve exceptional events and an extension of our mission to create meaningful competitive opportunities with life-changing prize pools for esports players everywhere.”
The debut event will held later this year in Saudi Arabia – a nation looking to invest heavily in the esports industry.
The event will have over 645,000 sq. ft. of venue space and features four separate esport arenas. Organizers say they expect to welcome 2.9 million fans through its doors, with the event to include two music concerts, as well as six drone and firework shows.
