Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Enmaeya News) — The second Esports World Cup has brought together 2,000 elite gamers from over 100 countries and 200 clubs to compete for a record-breaking $70 million prize pot. Spread across 25 competitions and 24 games, the tournament will run for seven weeks at Riyadh’s Boulevard City, transforming the area into a gaming and fan festival hub.

The event features a diverse range of contests, from first-person shooters to mobile multiplayer battle games. Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, told Euronews, “The sheer scale is unprecedented. Esports is still in its early stages but is set to grow into one of the world’s biggest sports in the coming decades.”

Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, president of the Saudi Esports Federation, emphasized the unifying power of gaming: “Your first interaction with someone is not about color, religion, background, or gender. It’s about their avatar and skill.”

The tournament also boasts high-profile ambassadors, with football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo serving as the official ambassador, and American pop star Post Malone headlining the opening ceremony.