Esports World Cup 2025 Launches Global Qualification with Road to EWC Program

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has officially unveiled the comprehensive qualification system for the Esports World Cup 2025, marking a significant milestone in the global esports landscape. The event’s grand finale will take place in August 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but the competition journey begins now with the launch of the “Road to EWC” program.

The Road to EWC is a global qualification platform featuring more than 200 tournaments that range from grassroots leagues to elite international circuits. This expansive program offers players at every skill level the opportunity to compete on the world’s biggest esports stage. The initiative embodies the spirit of competition and inclusivity, aiming to connect players, clubs, and communities worldwide.

Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer of EWCF, emphasized that by linking hundreds of tournaments globally, the foundation is creating life-changing opportunities for players and fostering sustainable growth across the esports industry. This approach not only grows the sport but also strengthens partnerships and invests in competitive ecosystems.

The Esports World Cup 2025 will feature 25 tournaments across 24 games, including four new titles: Chess, Crossfire, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and Valorant. The event is set to bring together over 2,000 elite players and 200 top clubs competing for a prize pool exceeding $70 million—the largest in esports history.

Qualification routes vary by game genre and region:

• Official publisher circuits such as LEC (League of Legends), VCT (Valorant), OWCS (Overwatch 2), and ALGS (Apex Legends) serve as primary qualification routes.
• Open online qualifiers for games like Dota 2, Call of Duty: Warzone, PUBG, Teamfight Tactics, and StarCraft II.
• Community-driven tournaments such as EVO Japan, Combo Breaker, and CEO for fighting games including Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and Fatal Fury.
• Region-specific leagues in Southeast Asia, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and Latin America for mobile titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Free Fire, PUBG MOBILE, and Honor of Kings.
• Last Chance Qualifiers in July for games such as Chess, EA Sports FC 25, and Overwatch 2, providing final opportunities for emerging players.

Beyond competition, the Road to EWC program includes a multi-channel marketing campaign featuring original content, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes access. This content aims to engage fans, highlight player dedication, and introduce esports games to broader audiences, enhancing the overall fan experience.

The Esports World Cup 2025 promises to be the largest celebration of esports ever held, uniting diverse gaming communities under one banner in Riyadh. Its unique cross-game format will reward clubs and players competing across multiple platforms and genres, crowning the next Esports World Cup Champion and advancing the global esports ecosystem.