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HRH Crown Prince MBS Named Board of Trustees Chair for Esports World Cup Foundation
The Saudi Arabian cabinet has appointed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) as the Chair of the newly established Board of Trustees for the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF).
- Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has been appointed Chair of the newly established Board of Trustees for the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF).
- The Board of Trustees for the EWCF is set to serve a three-year term, marking a significant increase in direct government oversight of the organization.
- While the EWCF has historically claimed to be a non-profit independent of the Saudi government, this appointment further links the foundation to state leadership and the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Shikenso Analytics Extends FURIA Partnership for Two Years
Brazilian esports organization FURIA has extended its partnership with AI-powered sponsorship analytics provider Shikenso Analytics for an additional two years.
- Brazilian esports organization FURIA has renewed its partnership with AI-powered analytics provider Shikenso Analytics for an additional two years.
- The agreement focuses on utilizing Shikenso’s technology to track, measure, and optimize sponsor visibility across digital platforms, including Twitch and YouTube.
- FURIA’s CMO, Pedro Lopes, stated that the partnership is essential for providing transparent data on partner ROI and identifying new growth opportunities.
Esports World Cup Foundation Reveals Esports Nations Cup
The Esports World Cup Foundation has announced the launch of the Esports Nations Cup, a biennial international tournament designed to foster national-level competition.
- The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced the launch of the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), a biennial international tournament featuring nation-versus-nation competition.
- The inaugural Esports Nations Cup is scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2026.
- The EWCF is co-developing the competition in partnership with major game publishers including Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft.
How Riyadh Is Becoming a Global Hub for Esports
Riyadh is rapidly establishing itself as a premier global destination for esports, driven by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the National Gaming and Esports Strategy.
- Riyadh is hosting the Esports World Cup (EWC), the world's largest esports tournament, featuring a record-breaking prize pool of over US$70 million.
- The event spans eight weeks and includes 24 different game titles, 2,000 players from over 200 clubs, and 7,000 hours of live broadcast content.
- The EWC is broadcast in 35 languages across 140 countries, with viewership reaching over 500 million globally in the previous year.
The Top Co-streamers Promoting Esports and Events
The rise of co-streaming has fundamentally altered the landscape of esports and live event viewership, serving as a critical driver of audience engagement.
- Co-streaming is a dominant force in esports viewership, accounting for 65.1% of total hours watched for the 2025 Call of Duty League and 56.8% for VALORANT Champions 2024.
- In the 2025 BLAST.tv Austin Major, co-streamers outperformed official channels by capturing 53.6% of the 92 million total hours watched.
- Esports viewership typically consolidates around a single dominant co-streamer per title, whereas non-gaming events like the Kings World Cup Nations show a more even distribution of viewership across multiple creators.
Bayes Esports Files for Insolvency
Berlin-based esports data firm Bayes Esports Solutions GmbH has entered formal insolvency proceedings after being declared both illiquid and over-indebted by the Charlottenburg district court.
- Berlin-based esports data firm Bayes Esports Solutions GmbH filed for insolvency on May 26, 2025, and was officially declared illiquid and over-indebted by the Charlottenburg district court on August 1, 2025.
- Attorney Dr. Benedikt de Bruyn has been appointed as the insolvency administrator, with a creditors' meeting scheduled for September 12, 2025, to discuss asset sales and potential merger agreements.
- The company has undergone significant staff reductions, leaving only a small core team tasked with managing the insolvency process and facilitating potential business transitions.
Esports World Cup Foundation Partners With Spotify and IMG
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has secured strategic partnerships with Spotify and the global sports marketing agency IMG to enhance the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has partnered with Spotify and IMG to support the 2025 Esports World Cup, a seven-week tournament in Riyadh with a prize pool exceeding $70 million.
- IMG will produce over 50 hours of original programming, including a two-hour show titled 'EWC Spotlight' that will be broadcast globally across networks such as Fox Sports, DAZN, and beIN/TOD.
- Spotify will manage an EWC music hub featuring the event's official anthem, artist collaborations, and curated playlists, building on a partnership that began with the event's predecessor, Gamers8, in 2022.
NODWIN Gaming Partners With Esports World Cup Foundation
NODWIN Gaming has entered into a strategic partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) to manage media rights sales and distribution across South Asia.
- NODWIN Gaming has partnered with the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) to manage media rights sales and distribution across South Asia, including India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
- Under the agreement, NODWIN Gaming will serve as the EWCF’s marketing partner for the Indian market, executing localized campaigns and initiatives.
- The Esports World Cup is an annual multi-title tournament held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, running from early July through the end of August.
GameSquare Experiences to Produce 100 Thieves Summer Block Party
GameSquare, a publicly traded esports and gaming company, has announced that its subsidiary, GameSquare Experiences (GSX), will design and produce the 2025 100 Thieves Summer Block Party.
- GameSquare Experiences (GSX) has been contracted to design and produce the 2025 100 Thieves Summer Block Party, scheduled for July 26 at the 100 Thieves headquarters in Los Angeles.
- The event will feature interactive brand activations, content creator appearances, and a watch party for the 100 Thieves Call of Duty team’s participation in the 2025 Esports World Cup.
- Lexus is serving as the presenting partner for the event, with additional sponsorship provided by AT&T, Razer, and Oakley.
GameSquare’s Stream Hatchet Partners With Esports World Cup
GameSquare Holdings has secured a partnership for its subsidiary, Stream Hatchet, to serve as the official data and insights partner for the 2025 Esports World Cup.
- GameSquare subsidiary Stream Hatchet has been named the official data and insights partner for the 2025 Esports World Cup, replacing the 2024 partner, Esports Charts.
- The 2025 Esports World Cup is a seven-week, multi-title tournament taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 to August 24, 2025.
- The event features a total prize pool exceeding $70 million USD and is funded by the Saudi Arabian government’s Public Investment Fund.
Aramco, stc Group Renew Esports World Cup Partnerships
The Esports World Cup Foundation has secured a three-year partnership renewal and expansion with the state-owned energy company Aramco, alongside a renewed agreement with the telecommunications provider stc Group.
- The Esports World Cup Foundation has signed a three-year partnership renewal and expansion with Aramco, a state-owned Saudi Arabian company.
- The Esports World Cup features a total prize pool exceeding $70 million, funded by a grant from the Saudi Arabian government’s Public Investment Fund.
- Aramco will serve as a title partner for the 2025 event, featuring a new 'Aramco SIM Arena' for interactive motorsports and a two-season Aramco Esports Championship.
Lenovo Partners With the Esports World Cup
The Esports World Cup Foundation has secured a partnership with Lenovo, designating the company’s Legion brand as the official PC and gaming hardware provider for the 2025 Esports World Cup.
- Lenovo’s Legion brand has been named the official PC and gaming hardware partner for the 2025 Esports World Cup, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 to August 24.
- The partnership provides tournament participants with Lenovo Legion Tower 7i and 5i desktops, Legion Pro 7i laptops, and various gaming peripherals for use in competition and practice areas.
- Lenovo will integrate its branding into global broadcasts, digital content, and onsite festival zones where attendees can test the company's hardware.