A massive, multi-million prize pool awaits participants of the 2024 Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
The Esports World Cup Foundation, the organization running the tournament, announced Tuesday that the 18-game multi-esport tournament will have a total of US$60 million in prizes.
Esports World Cup Foundation CEO Rolf Reichert explained a bit more about the said prize pool, saying, “It’s about uniting the world’s best athletes across the best games giving fans the incredible competitions they deserve under one umbrella that uplifts the meaning of esports competition. Above all, it’s a true testament to our commitment to helping leapfrog the industry, provide sustainable career options for athletes, and support Clubs worldwide.”
Among the newest additions was a US$20 million prize – one-third overall – for the most dominant esports club or organization in the tournament.
Another US$30 million in prizes will be given to the participants of the 18 games featured in the worldwide tilt, while US$7.6 million will be given for the qualifiers. Another US$1.1 million will be up for grabs for the MVP awards. It is still unknown where the funding for these prize pools will be coming from.
The Esports World Cup is part of Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy. “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. The competition will enhance our progress towards realizing the Vision 2030 objectives of diversifying the economy, growing the tourism sector, creating new jobs in various industries, and providing world-class entertainment for citizens, residents, and visitors alike,” said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Apex Legends, Fortnite, Rennsport, League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, EA FC 24, Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Starcraft II, Counter-Strike 2, Honor of Kings, PUBG Battlegrounds, PUBG Mobile, Overwatch 2, Dota 2, and other titles have been announced for the 2024 Esports World Cup.