Pro Gamers are competing for a record breaking US$60M prize pool at the esports world cup.
As part of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 initiative, the inaugural Esports World Cup (EWC) is underway! Running from July 3rd to August 25th, 2024; the EWC features 22 tournaments across 21 of the world’s leading game titles, uniting the largest game publishers in the industry. These publishers, among the largest companies in the world, play a crucial role in the esports ecosystem, making their participation in this event highly significant.
Saudi Arabia’s substantial investment in esports aligns with its broader goals of diversifying the economy and becoming the ultimate global hub for the gaming industry (APnews). With such high stakes and global participation, the EWC is set to redefine the landscape of competitive gaming and captivate audiences worldwide.
How does this resemble a ‘World Cup’?
Introducing $20 Million Club Championship:
Open to all clubs competing at the EWC, club championship is a competition between clubs spanning across the 21 game titles. A prize pool of US$20M is awarded to the top 16 clubs with US$7 million awarded to the top club across the games.
Is it difficult to win the esports world cup?
Very, consider the list of games at the EWC to be very different just like at the Olympics. Call of Duty (FPS), League of Legends (MOBA), Apex Legends (Battle Royale), and Street Fighter 6 (Arcade). For a club to clinch the title requires incredible consistency.
Clubs qualify to compete in title competitions and are awarded points in the overall ranking by finishing top 8 of a tournament, with a first place gaining 1000 points total. The Club that scores the most points in total wins the championship however a team must have won at least 1 of the 22 events.
This structure mirrors the competitive spirit and prestige of traditional world cups, making the EWC a truly global event.
Business Side: What’s unique about the Esports world cup and why is it an irresistible offering for teams?
Financial Incentives to bolster esport team businesses
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), the hosting entity of the EWC, has announced their club support program, an industry first initiative designed to support the sustainability of esport organisations. Out of the 150 clubs that applied, just 30 have been accepted. These teams will be expected to expand their operations, entering new games and international markets and will receive six-figure funding from the EWC Foundation to do so.
Saudi Arabia is clearly aiming to set high standards in the esports world. The opportunities and financial rewards provided by this infrastructure come at a crucial time, as organisation stability has been a challenging topic in the economics of esports. This program helps to stabilise and sustain the competitive landscape and the overall esports ecosystem.
30 teams join the esports world cup program (Image: EWC)
Travel and Logistics: Dedicated Esports Visas
Additionally, the EWC is dedicated to streamlining the overall experience for participants by simplifying the often complex logistics involved in international competitions. The introduction of the KSA Esports Visa is a key component of this effort. A collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Tourism to streamline access to the event with a simplified, discounted VISA which gives access to more nationalities.
From EWC-branded airport tickets to ubiquitous signage around the venue, it’s clear that no detail has been overlooked, reflecting the strong support from both the Saudi government and various industries in making the EWC a seamless and accessible event for all involved.
Prince Faisal; Chairman of Saudi esports federation addresses the press (Image: CNN)
Sponsorships: Does EWC already have the most notable portfolio for global esports events?
Sponsorship continues to be a key source of revenue for esports businesses, despite a pullback of brand partnership activity in 2023 there has been a bounceback in 2024 to power the higher volume of esports events this year.
Multinational brands remain committed to esports. Mastercard is a long term partner of Riot Games for League of Legends esports. Mastercard’s association with the largest, most prestigious esports tournament’s opening ceremony continues to trend positively. Its integration into the live artwork was seen by 6.4 million viewers.
Unilever gets involved
The EWC is elevating the game by attracting an impressive array of new sponsors to its portfolio, including Unilever brands, with CLEAR MEN Shampoo and AXE Body Spray signed on as official partners of the (EWC) to host on-site activations and promotions.
One of the largest FMCG companies in the world positioning its leading brands within the esports sphere underscores the importance of capturing the diverse audience full of younger consumers and solidifying brand trust among fans.
Graphic: AST
Amazon, TikTok and Mastercard become official partners
Amazon has also collaborated to provide EWC fans with discounts when shopping for gaming products, and TikTok partnered to launch a dedicated EWC hub on the app for coverage. Mastercard has partnered to enhance the fan engagement and experience including seamless digital payments and a dedicated booth located in the esports venue hosting activations and meet-and-greets.
For an industry that is still maturing and developing, multinational brand involvement will send a ripple effect.
The sports and esports crossover
(Images: EWC)
Superstar footballers Neymar and Diogo Jota were among the crowds at EWC, showcasing the large crossover potential. Neymar showing support for Brazilian esports club Furia. Diogo Jota talking esports with G2’s CS2 team
Asia Dominance in the Titles
The Esports World Cup is not only a landmark event for its groundbreaking scale and prize pool but also for its inclusive approach towards different gaming platforms, including mobile esports. Among the 21 leading game titles featured at the EWC, three prominent mobile games stand out. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), PUBG Mobile, and Honor of Kings.
Chinese tech giant Tencent commits its top games to EWC
Level Infinite, Tencent’s global gaming brand has signed a multi-year partnership with EWC Foundation, committing titles PUBG Mobile and Honor of Kings – which has over 100 million daily players – to host official tournaments at the EWC. The integration of games’ official esports circuits into the EWC ecosystem is significant, as it reflects a strategic vision to sustain and expand the presence of mobile esports within the EWC framework beyond the inaugural event this year.
The meteoric rise of mobile gaming in Asia
Asia, particularly Southeast Asia and China, is a dominant force in mobile gaming. The inclusion of MLBB, PUBG Mobile, and Honor of Kings in the EWC is a testament to the region’s massive influence. These games are not only wildly popular but also have some of the largest and most passionate fan bases in the world.
Facilitated by budget smartphones, fastest growing 5G markets, free-to-play models and Asia being home to most experienced mobile developers, Asian consumers play but they also watch a lot.
MLBB: Over 600 million downloads most prominently in Southeast Asia, its esports tournaments have seen some of the highest viewership of all time, recording over 5 million peak viewers at its 2023 world championship
PUBG Mobile: Chinese game version recorded 64 million MAU’s in Q1 2024, players located in China account for 66% of global player spending on PUBG Mobile.
Honour of Kings: China has been the major revenue source for the game, accounting for at least 98 percent since its release. The mobile app recorded 149 million MAU’s in Q1 2024.
Asian teams have consistently dominated global tournaments in MLBB, PUBG Mobile, and Honor of Kings, setting high standards and showcasing exceptional skill levels. This dominance is expected to continue at the EWC, where these teams will compete against the best from other regions.
Conclusion
As Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative ushers in the inaugural Esports World Cup, the landscape of global gaming is set for a transformative shift.
With its innovative club support program and streamlined logistics, including the revolutionary KSA Esports Visa, the EWC is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and accessible competitive environment. Partnerships with major sponsors highlights the event’s role in bridging the gap between esports and mainstream business, reflecting a growing recognition of the sector’s commercial potential.
The EWC’s embrace of mobile gaming and the dominant Asian presence emphasise the event’s commitment to celebrating diverse gaming cultures and audiences. As Asian teams continue to set high standards in mobile esports, their involvement underscores the global nature of this competition.
In related news, the IOC just announced the creation of the Olympics Esports Games; set to debut in Saudi Arabia in 2025. This marks the start of a 12-year partnership between the Saudi Olympic Committee and the IOC with the organization of the Games.
(Image: IOC)
Up next, AST will breakdown the Paris Olympics! Feel free to reach out to us if you think we should focus on any particular key areas.
