As esports continues to grow globally, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a major player in the industry. This summer, Riyadh will host the Esports World Cup 2025, the world’s biggest gaming tournament, featuring a record-breaking $70 million prize pool, the largest in competitive gaming history.

The Esports World Cup, which will kick off on July 7 and run through August 24, will bring together top players and teams from around the world. The event will be held at Boulevard City in Riyadh and is expected to be the largest edition to date.

Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Al Nassr FC and five-time Ballon d’Or winner, has been named Global Ambassador for the event. The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), the tournament’s organizers, announced the news.

More than 2,000 professional players will compete, representing over 200 clubs and more than 100 countries. The tournament will feature 25 competitions across 24 top game titles. With a prize pool exceeding $70 million, it sets a new benchmark in esports.

As Global Ambassador, Ronaldo will lead the event’s international media campaign, appear in promotional content, and even feature as a playable character in FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, one of the event’s headline games.

His involvement is expected to draw wider audiences to the esports scene, driven by his massive global following of over one billion fans across social media.

The Esports World Cup is part of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to position itself as a global hub for gaming and digital entertainment. It reflects the Kingdom’s ambition to host major events that blend technology, culture, and sport.