The Esports World Cup 2025, running from July 3 to August 25, has turned Riyadh into the global heart of competitive gaming with a $71.5 million prize pool and 25 titles vying for digital dominance. But while the event features everything from mobile MOBAs to online chess, it’s PC gaming’s finest that continues to deliver the moments that matter.
Gen.G walked away with League of Legends gold, putting on a macro masterclass against AG.AL. In Valorant, Team Heretics stunned favorites Fnatic with a 3-1 victory and a breakout performance by Mert “Wo0t” Alkan that earned him MVP nods across social feeds. Meanwhile, Team Spirit reaffirmed their legacy in Dota 2 with another trophy run, ousting Team Falcons in a grueling grand final.
Apex Legends brought the biggest upset of the event: VK Gaming blitzed through ROC Esports in a series that felt more like a speedrun than a championship. Counter-Strike 2, however, is still waiting in the wings—its matches are scheduled to begin August 20 and culminate in the grand finals on August 24. No games have been played yet in Riyadh, but expectations are high given the stacked qualifier results earlier this season. Teamfight Tactics also made waves, continuing to evolve as Riot’s wild card strategy title, though official placements hadn’t dropped as of this report.
Outside our usual beat, the event features an eclectic mix: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Free Fire, Rainbow Six Siege, StarCraft II, even chess. Genres clashed and players flexed, from mobile battle royales to traditional fighters like Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6, showing just how broad the modern esports spectrum has become.
We’re only in Week 3, and the biggest stages are still ahead. PC esports remains the backbone of competitive play, but cross-platform titles and mobile-first leagues are staking serious claims. With IEM Cologne, TI, and Worlds looming just beyond Riyadh, 2025 is far from finished.
Got a favorite match or MVP moment? Hit us up—we’re cooking up a weekend wrap and might just feature your hot take.
