StarCraft II Joins Esports World Cup and Exits ESL Pro Tour

The ESL FACEIT Group has announced the discontinuation of the StarCraft II ESL Pro Tour (EPT), a circuit that had been in operation since 2020. This decision marks a significant shift in the competitive landscape for the long-standing real-time strategy title. The organization cited the increasing difficulty of securing long-term funding for a full-scale, year-round circuit as the primary driver for the cancellation.

Despite the end of the EPT, StarCraft II will remain active in the professional esports ecosystem through its inclusion in the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This event, which features a multi-title format and a club-based competition structure, serves as the primary venue for the game’s top-tier professional play moving forward. The Esports World Cup is operated by the ESL FACEIT Group and managed by the Esports World Cup Foundation, both of which are backed by the Saudi Arabian government.

The transition reflects broader industry trends regarding the sustainability of dedicated, multi-event circuits for legacy titles. While the EPT provided a consistent structure for players and fans, the move toward centralized, high-profile events like the Esports World Cup highlights a strategic pivot in how major esports organizations manage tournament funding and scheduling. The shift has drawn attention to the influence of state-backed investment in the global esports market, particularly regarding the concentration of top-level competition within Saudi-funded initiatives.