It has been known for some time now that Saudi Arabia will host the 2024 eSports World Cup this summer in Riyadh. Under the leadership of Mohammed bin Salman, the country has demonstrated an interest in video games and pop culture over the past few years. A first glimpse of the program has been revealed, along with the names of the competing games. The titles include Mobile Legends Bang Bang, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Honor of Kings, StarCraft 2, PUBG Mobile, Street Fighter 6, Overwatch 2, Tekken 8, EA Sports FC 24, Rocket League, Rainbow Six Siege, Apex Legends, and Fortnite. Clearly, this lineup is diverse, demonstrating that both iconic PC games and mobile titles can coexist without any issues.
According to Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, “the Esports World Cup embodies both the heritage and the evolution of esports through a mix of iconic PC games and top-tier mobile esports titles.” He further noted that “StarCraft II, Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, Mobile Legends Bang Bang, and Honor of Kings are standout choices for the Esports World Cup. By including games that have shaped this industry alongside those favored by today’s players, we aim to create a tournament that connects and uplifts teams, athletes, fans, and the broader esports community.”
It is also noteworthy that two French organizations will be among those chosen by the EWC: Team Vitality and Karmine Corp. They will join the 30 selected teams, aware that Saudi Arabia has announced an unusually high prize fund of at least $60 million to be distributed across all games. This amount is sufficient motivation for each team to perform at their best, as winning teams can receive up to six figures if they participate in new games, with additional funding promised based on audience and fan engagement levels. Consequently, Vitality has decided to concentrate on Starcraft 2 and Tekken 8, aiming to achieve significant accomplishments by next summer.
The eSports World Cup from July 3 to August 25, 2024, in Riyadh is recalled. The event will feature a diverse lineup of games including Mobile Legends Bang Bang, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Honor of Kings, StarCraft 2, PUBG Mobile, Street Fighter 6, Overwatch 2, Tekken 8, EA Sports FC 24, Rocket League, Rainbow Six Siege, Apex Legends, and Fortnite. This mix represents both established PC games and popular mobile esports titles. Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, emphasized that the tournament will encompass the history, present, and future of esports with titles like StarCraft II, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike 2 alongside mobile favorites. French teams Team Vitality and Karmine Corp have been chosen from a pool of 30 for this event, which boasts an unusually large prize fund of at least $60 million distributed across all games. Teams can earn six-figure sums by exploring new titles if audience engagement matches expectations. Team Vitality has decided to concentrate on StarCraft 2 and Tekken 8 in preparation for the tournament, aiming for significant achievements come next summer.
