The Esports World Cup is set to take place in Saudi Arabia during the summer of 2025, featuring 25 tournaments across 24 games with a record-breaking prize pool exceeding $70 million.

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has launched a global initiative called the Road to EWC, outlining the qualification pathways for the upcoming event.

The campaign's theme, 'Rise Above,' emphasizes aspiration and determination, showcasing inspiring player stories through multimedia materials and a short film.

Major sponsors for the event include founding partners like Aramco and Sony, along with global brands such as Adidas, Amazon, and PepsiCo, indicating strong commercial interest.

CEO Ralf Reichert highlighted the foundation's commitment to establishing a sustainable esports model through sponsorships, media rights, ticketing, and merchandise.

Reichert defended the foundation's efforts, suggesting that perceptions of sportswashing may be misleading and asserting Saudi Arabia's legitimacy as a host for global esports.

Top-tier titles such as League of Legends, VALORANT, and Overwatch 2 will have qualification routes through official publisher circuits, while games like Dota 2 and PUBG will utilize open online qualifiers.

In light of recent challenges in the esports sector, the foundation aims to stabilize the ecosystem while addressing concerns regarding accusations of 'sportswashing' related to Saudi Arabia.

This qualification process will involve over 200 tournaments, with more than 2,000 professional players and 200 top clubs expected to participate.

Last Chance Qualifiers will be held in July 2025 for various games, including Chess and Overwatch 2, providing additional opportunities for players to qualify.

The Road to EWC will feature a multi-channel marketing campaign, including original content like player interviews and behind-the-scenes access to engage both dedicated fans and newcomers.

EWCF aims to create a year-round storytelling campaign that fosters emotional connections between fans and players, enhancing the overall esports culture.