Esports World Cup 2024: games, teams, schedule, prizes and more

It is well known that in sports, the pinnacle of achievement and glory for many athletes is making their game's World Cup. For some, just getting there is an accomplishment in itself, an affirmation of an entire life's work, while for others, medalling means adding a legacy-defining feather to a burgeoning cap.

With esports now truly established and proving to be a massive draw in terms of sponsorships and prize money, many fans were wondering when its version of a World Cup would come along. Then came Saudi Arabia's Esports World Cup Foundation, which was announced last October as an annual international esports tournament that would replace the highly-lauded Gamers8 event.

The total prize money on offer at the Esports World Cup 2024 could truly be life-changing The total prize money on offer at the Esports World Cup 2024 could truly be life-changing

Promising never-before-seen prize money and the world's best players, teams, and titles, the event has been in the spotlight ever since. Recently, the organizer announced an unprecedented total prize pool of more than $60 million for the inaugural edition of this gaming extravaganza that will be held this summer in Riyadh.

As the statement put it, it is the largest prize pool ever awarded at an esports competition, shattering the previous record of $45 million set by Gamers8: The Land of Heroes in 2023. Between July and August, fans can get ready for eight weeks of intense competition, a celebration of gaming culture, and the largest prize pool esports has ever seen.

What is the Esports World Cup?

The inaugural edition in 2024 has replaced the erstwhile Gamers8 event The weekly schedule for the inaugural 2024 edition that has replaced the erstwhile Gamers8 event

The EWC is a first-of-its-kind event, organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation. It aims to be the pinnacle of esports competition, featuring 19 different video game titles across various genres. Top players from around the world will battle it out to be crowned champions in their respective games, while esports clubs will vie for the ultimate team glory.

The schedule was also announced at the end of April 2024, with the event's dates confirmed as July 3 to August 25. It will feature eight weeks of action across the above disciplines.

Why is it a big deal?

The EWC boasts several factors that make it a landmark event:

Unprecedented scale: With 19 games and the biggest prize pool ever, this competitive gaming spectacle promises a level of competition and investment never seen before in esports.
Global celebration: The event goes beyond just tournaments. Followers can expect a full calendar of entertainment inspired by gaming, creating a festival atmosphere for fans and competitors alike.
A new chapter: The Esports World Cup builds on the legacy of Gamers8, another major Saudi Arabian esports event, aiming to further propel the growth of competitive gaming.

What games will be featured?

The full details about the games are still under wraps, but as of April 2024, 20 events in 19 games have been added:

Matches will take place in a 645,000-square-foot venue that will feature four separate esports arenas. Moreover, each of the 20 championships will have prize pools with a combined total exceeding $33 million. A $50,000 MVP Award will be given to a standout participant in each competition.

2023s Gamers8: The Land of Heroes held the record for the largest esports prize pool ever 2023s Gamers8: The Land of Heroes held the record for the largest esports prize pool ever

Over $7 million will be awarded before the main events start, as teams and athletes compete to qualify for available tournament spots across eligible qualifier events run by partnered publishers and event organizers.

With many qualifiers and other competitions across disciplines ongoing to decide who makes it to Saudi Arabia, there are not many teams to have already confirmed their presence. However, there are a few esports organizations who we know have booked their flights, including a few that attended the Gamers8/Riyadh Masters events over the last couple of years and some newer faces.

Below are some well-known orgs confirmed for the event:

Fluxo (Free Fire)
Team Spirit (CS2)
Natus Vincere (CS2)
FaZe Clan (CS2)
FURIA Esports (CS2)
G2 Esports (CS2)
Team Vitality (CS2)
Virtus.pro (CS2)

How to follow the event?

While specific details about broadcasts and ticketing are yet to be announced, readers can keep themselves updated by following the official EWC channels:

Official website
Social media: Follow the EWC on its social media platforms (Instagram, X, Twitch, Facebook, YouTube) for the latest news and announcements.

What about female representation?

While the official information about the Esports World Cup doesn't explicitly mention female-specific events, there are still possibilities. For now, only the MLBB Women's Invitational 2024 has been disclosed, but with more details about more competitions to come out over the next two months, there could be new events for females too.

Esports Charts will track any such developments and add updates to this article so readers and fans can remain updated on everything related to the EWC.

The maiden edition of the Esports World Cup promises to be a groundbreaking event for esports. With its global scale, focus on entertainment, and potential to crown new champions, it's sure to be a spectacle for gamers worldwide. Readers can stay tuned to Esports Charts for further updates even as they get ready to witness the future of esports this summer.