If you’re as pumped about competitive gaming as I am, then you’ve probably already circled July 2025 on your calendar. That’s when the Esports World Cup (EWC) returns to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, bringing together the absolute cream of the crop from across the gaming universe for what promises to be the most spectacular multi-title tournament of the year.
With a record-breaking prize pool and qualification spots that teams around the world are fighting tooth and nail for, the 2025 edition is shaping up to be an unmissable festival of esports excellence. Whether you’re a die-hard League of Legends fan, a CS2 enthusiast, or someone who appreciates the strategic brilliance of Chess, there’s something for everyone at this gaming extravaganza.
But here’s the million-dollar question (quite literally, given those prize pools): How exactly do teams earn their ticket to the big show? Let’s break down the qualification paths for each major title in a way that won’t put you to sleep!
League of Legends: The Global Battle for Riyadh
League of Legends remains one of the centerpiece competitions at the EWC, featuring the most elite organizations from every corner of the globe. The good news for T1 fans? Your favorite team already has its bags packed for Riyadh as the defending EWC champions from 2024.
For everyone else, the qualification pathway is crystal clear:
- LCK (Korea): 2 spots through the Road to MSI 2025
- LPL (China): 2 spots from Split 2
- LTA North & South: 2 spots each from their respective Split 2 competitions
- LEC (Europe): 2 spots from Spring 2025
- LCP (Portugal): 2 spots from Mid Season 2025
This format ensures we’ll see a genuinely international field of competitors vying for supremacy in one of esports‘ most prestigious titles.
Counter-Strike 2: The Valve Standings Showdown
Counter-Strike fans, listen up! This year’s qualification system is beautifully straightforward. The top 15 teams on Valve’s Regional Standings as of July 25 will receive direct invitations to the EWC.
There’s also one special qualification spot reserved for the champion of the Asian Champions League 2025, giving teams from the region an alternative path to the main event.
With powerhouse organizations from across Europe, North America, and Asia all jockeying for position on the leaderboard, expect some nail-biting moments as we approach that July 25 cutoff date.
VALORANT: The VCT Connection
VALORANT’s presence at the EWC 2025 marks a significant milestone, as the tournament has officially partnered with Riot’s Valorant Champions Tour. This means we’ll see the absolute best of the best from the official competitive circuit.
Each major VCT region will send four teams, with spots allocated as follows:
- Top 2 from VCT Americas Stage 1 (G2 Esports and Sentinels have already secured their spots)
- Top 2 from VCT EMEA Stage 1
- Top 2 from VCT Pacific Stage 1
- Top 2 from VCT China Stage 1 (XLG Esports and Bilibili Gaming are locked in)
The remaining spots for each region will be determined through dedicated EWC Qualifiers (2 per region), giving teams who missed out on VCT qualification another shot at glory.
Chess: The Unexpected Esports Sensation
Yes, you read that right. Chess is back at the EWC, and it’s a bigger deal than ever before! After several high-profile esports organizations signed chess grandmasters earlier this year, the ancient game has cemented its place in the modern competitive gaming landscape.
Qualification comes through the Champions Chess Tour (CCT) 2025 Circuit Points, with 12 spots available through this pathway. Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, and Ian Nepomniachtchi have already secured their places after podium finishes at this year’s Chessable Masters.
For those who miss out on CCT qualification, there’s still hope through the Last Chance Qualifier, which will award 4 additional spots to the EWC finals.
Dota 2: The $3 Million Dream
With an eye-watering $3 million prize pool, Dota 2’s EWC tournament is one of the most lucrative competitions on offer in Riyadh. Qualification spots are distributed through various pathways:
- 8 spots through the ESL Pro Tour Season 3 Leaderboard (PARAVISION, Team Spirit, BetBoom Team, Team Falcons, and Team Liquid have already secured places)
- 1 spot for the Riyadh Masters 2024 champion (Gaimin Gladiators)
- 1 spot for the Asian Champions League 2025 winner
- 6 regional invites covering West Europe, East Europe, MESWA, Southeast Asia, North America, and South America
This diverse qualification system ensures representation from every major Dota-playing region, making for a truly global competition.
PUBG Mobile: The Battle Royale Behemoth
PUBG Mobile’s World Cup at the EWC 2025 brings together 24 teams from across the globe, all competing for a share of the $3 million prize pool. The qualification system is designed to encompass every major region:
- Host country invite: R8 Esports (Saudi Arabia)
- 3 spots each from PUBG Mobile Super Leagues in Southeast Asia, Central & South Asia, Europe, MENA, and Americas
- 2 spots from China’s Peacekeeper Elite League
- 1 spot each from Korea, Japan, and the PUBG Mobile Rivals Cup
- Plus various other qualification pathways for smaller regions
This comprehensive approach ensures that no matter where you’re from, your favorite PUBG Mobile team has a shot at making it to Riyadh.
Fighting Game Fiesta: Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8
The fighting game community takes center stage at the EWC 2025, with both Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 featuring prominently in the lineup.
For Street Fighter 6, nearly 50 of the world’s best players will battle for the $1 million prize pool, with qualification spots coming from:
- The reigning EWC champion (Xiao Hai)
- 12 spots from the Street Fighter League World Championship 2024
- 8 spots from Capcom Cup 11
- Various major tournaments including EVO Japan 2025, Combo Breaker 2025, CEO 2025, and more
- 10 spots through the EWC Last Chance Qualifier
Tekken 8 follows a similar model, with qualification through major tournaments like EVO Japan, Combo Breaker, Battle Arena Melbourne, and CEO, plus a Last Chance Qualifier offering a final opportunity for those who miss out through traditional pathways.
Mobile Gaming’s Moment: Honor of Kings and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Mobile gaming continues its meteoric rise on the global esports stage, with Honor of Kings and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang both featured prominently at the EWC 2025.
Honor of Kings offers a $3 million prize pool, with teams qualifying through regional leagues across Asia and beyond. The Kings Pro League Spring champion and Asian Champions League champion advance directly to the playoffs, while other teams must navigate through the group stage.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’s Mid Season Cup introduces a unique format with both Groups and Wildcard stages. The 15 direct Group Stage spots are primarily reserved for champions of the various MPL regional leagues, while the Wildcard stage offers 8 additional teams a chance to secure the final Group Stage slot.
Other Featured Titles
The EWC 2025 lineup also includes several other popular titles, each with their own qualification pathways:
- Overwatch: The Overwatch Champions Series 2025 Midseason Championship features teams from every major region, with Crazy Racoon already qualifying as the OWCS 2025 Champions Clash winner.
- Rainbow Six Siege: With $2 million on the line, 16 teams will qualify from the European MENA League, North America League, South America League, and various Asia-Pacific regions.
- TeamFight Tactics: Featuring 16 competitors vying for $500,000, with qualification spots distributed across APAC, China, Americas, and EMEA regions.
- Apex Legends, Call of Duty, PUBG, and Rocket League are also confirmed for the EWC 2025, though specific qualification details for these titles are yet to be announced.
Why the Esports World Cup Matters
What makes the EWC special isn’t just the prize money (though let’s be honest, those numbers are eye-watering). It’s the rare opportunity to see the world’s best competitors across multiple gaming titles gather in one place, representing their regions, organizations, and personal legacies.
For players, it’s a chance to cement their place in gaming history. For fans, it’s the ultimate celebration of everything we love about competitive gaming. Skill, strategy, determination, and those heart-stopping moments that keep us on the edge of our seats.
As qualification races heat up across every title, teams are leaving nothing to chance in their pursuit of those coveted Riyadh spots. Every tournament point matters, every match is crucial, and the pressure is mounting with each passing day.
Whether you’re planning to make the trip to Saudi Arabia in person or settling in for a marathon viewing session from the comfort of your gaming chair, the Esports World Cup 2025 promises to deliver unforgettable moments and crowning achievements for a new generation of esports heroes.
Mark your calendars, set your reminders, and get ready for what might just be the biggest celebration of competitive gaming the world has ever seen.
What teams are you most excited to see at the Esports World Cup 2025? Which qualification races are you following most closely? The road to Riyadh is already heating up, and I can’t wait to see which teams emerge victorious when the competition kicks off in July!
Lex Northbyte 
Adrian Kovacs