Last year, we saw the huge Gamers 8 event take place in Saudi Arabia. This year, the organizers have rebranded the event as the Esports World Cup, where the best eSports players from around the globe will converge and compete for the ultimate prize pool.
With a prize pool exceeding any eSports event and adding more titles to its roster than last year, this is going to be the largest event on a global scale.
Details on Saudi Arabia Esports World Cup
The Esports World Cup is scheduled to take place in the summer of 2024. It will take place in Riyadh, where Gamers 8 concluded the previous year. The exact itinerary has not yet been released, but it is expected to be released soon.
The organizers have named five titles for the Esports World Cup 2024, which include Mobile Legends, Counter Strike 2, Dota 2, StarCraft II and Honor of Kings. There are potential announcements of the other popular titles, such as Fortnite and Rainbow Six Siege, as they were prominently featured last year.
This year, expect the prize pool to be upwards of 45 million dollars. Honor of Kings has announced a $3 million midseason invitational that will lead to their International Championship later this year. That is already greater than last year.
Once all the games and their prize pools are announced, the Esports World Cup can easily become the largest Esports event in history. Currently, the 2021 Dota 2 Championship, titled The International, holds the record for the highest prize pool in an eSports event, with a staggering $40 million up for grabs.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s statement on Esports World Cup
The Saudi government is hosting the event as part of Vision 2030, which aims to diversify their revenue and explore other potential avenues. The widespread success of the Gamers 8 event resulted in the announcement of the Esports World Cup.
Speaking at the launch event, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman expected the event to bring world-class entertainment to the people while creating new job opportunities. He also added, ‘The Esports World Cup is the natural next step in Saudi Arabia’s journey to become the premier global hub for gaming and esports, offering an unmatched esports experience that pushes the boundaries of the industry.’
With more games and an ever-increasing prize pool, the Esports World Cup is shaping up to be a great tournament. Let us know which tournament you are most excited about in the comments below.
