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| Team Falcons holding the eSports World Cup trophy in celebration of becoming the inaugural EWC Club Champions after over a month of intense and high-caliber professional gaming action in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Image Source: eSports World Cup Foundation) |
The eSports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) celebrated the historic hosting of the inaugural edition of the eSports World Cup (EWC), the world's largest eSports competition and gaming festival, by crowning Team Falcons the first EWC Club Champion during its Closing Ceremony last August 25, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia which marked the conclusion of the biggest weekend in eSports history. At the Closing Ceremony comprising of the star-studded 2024 eSports Awards and the 2024 New Global Sport Conference, the victorious Team Falcons were awarded $7M in life-changing prize money and the EWC Club Championship Trophy which was presented to CEO Mossad "Msdossary" Al-Dossary by His Royal Highness (HRH) Saudi Arabia Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
Saudi eSports Federation Chairman HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan said, "The eSports World Cup has underscored the transformative impact of eSports and the pivotal role that this incomparable industry now plays in cultures and societies all around the world – its inclusive and empowering nature is something truly unique. For eight successive weeks, this unparalleled event has brought the entire international gaming community together like never before – inviting all to participate in this milestone moment in eSports history. We could not be more delighted with what's transpired this summer – it's a historic moment in time that Saudi Arabia and the world will always remember fondly." Across its eight-week run, the EWC recorded more than 500 million viewers who consumed over 250 million hours of content across various streaming platforms available worldwide, making it the most-watched tournament in 2024. The event reached its highest peak concurrent viewership of 3.5 million during the League of Legends Grand Final when legendary superstar Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok guided T1 to championship victory over Top eSports. T1 and Top eSports were two of more than 200 eSports clubs from different parts of the globe that have participated in the EWC, competing in front of sold-out crowds in Riyadh's Boulevard City. In total, more than two million fans visited the EWC festival in Boulevard City which was transformed into the epicenter of gaming culture featuring community tournaments, pop culture celebrations, concerts, and immersive international experiences.
The eSports World Cup awarded an unprecedented total of more than $60M in prize money — the largest prize pool in eSports history – of which $20M was reserved for the Club Championship, allocated across the top 16 finishers. Team Falcons fielded competitors in 18 of the event's 22 game championships, making them the most-represented Club at the EWC. The Club finished with 5,665 points including two game championships (Call of Duty: Warzone, Free Fire) and six additional Top 3 finishes while Team Liquid (2,545 points, $4M), Team BDS (2,000 points, $2M), Team Vitality (1,650 points, $1.5M) and T1 (1,600 points, $1.25M) rounded out the Top 5. The EWCF has also confirmed that the EWC will return to Riyadh on July and August 2025 for its second year. EWCF CEO Ralf Reichert said, "The eSports World Cup has been an incredible success in year one, driving global eSports to new heights. I'm proud of accomplishing what we set out to do: bringing together the best games, Clubs and players, offering a life-changing prize pool and building the world's largest eSports festival. Congratulations to Team Falcons.who were rewarded for their competitive excellence and investment across many new games by becoming the first eSports World Cup Club Champion. I can't wait to gather the best of the industry again for another epic EWC in 2025!"
EWCF Chief Product Officer Faisal bin Homran said, "The eSports World Cup was a unique event that brought together the best players, teams, games, and fans in one location. In addition, the eSports World Cup is also a prime example that our investments and our willingness to build projects at this massive scale are primarily aimed to fulfill the passion of our youth for gaming and eSports. We are focused on developing eSports in Saudi Arabia and we are determined to obtain our vision of developing this sector into a fully functioning industry that tailors to the interests of our local population. Our aim is to become a global hub for gaming and eSports; to elevate the sector, contribute meaningfully to its development, and shape its future on a global scale." The EWC welcomed more than 1,500 of the world's best eSports players from over 100 countries as they competed across 22 competitions in 21 games consisting of (in alphabetic order) Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Call of Duty: Warzone, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, EA Sports FC 24, Fortnite, Free Fire, Honor of Kings, League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Overwatch 2, PUBG Battlegrounds, PUBG Mobile, ESL R1, Rocket League, StarCraft II, Street Fighter 6, Teamfight Tactics, TEKKEN 8 and Tom Clancy's Rainbow 6 Siege.
Following the awards presentation, winning players were honored in the Celebration of Champions, a festive event that combined live music with compelling stories of the champions' journey. The program was followed by live performances headlined by international music icons Steve Aoki and Kid Cudi, as well as fireworks and a light show. The biggest weekend in eSports history also included the 2024 Esports Awards, the most prestigious night in eSports, where the best in the industry, including teams, athletes, content creators, games and more, were honored. In addition, the 2024 New Global Sport Conference (NGSC) brought leaders from eSports, gaming, business, sports, and entertainment together to explore "The Future of Fandom". Thought leaders from around the globe including HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar, Ralf Reichert, Magnus Carlsen, Toshimoto Mitomo, Greg Norman, Maya Rogers, RJ Cutler, Dr. Songyee Yoon, Sir Leonard Blavatnik and Joe Marsh discussed fandom's impact on business planning, content, IP and media rights, marketing, and community-building. For more information on the Esports World Cup, visit esportsworldcup.com and follow all upcoming Esports World Cup announcements on X (formerly Twitter).
