VALORANT: Everything You Need to Know About the Esports World Cup

The VALORANT tournament at the Esports World Cup kicks off this week, starting July 8, live from Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia. Sixteen teams from the four VCT International Leagues will compete over one week for a share of $1.25 million and EWC Club Points. Recent Masters Toronto finalists Fnatic and Paper Rex will be there, alongside Titan Esports Club, making its first appearance at an international event.

The Esports World Cup (EWC) is a new and significant addition to the VCT calendar. While it doesn't count toward qualification for Champions, it's seen as a must-attend event for Riot’s partner teams—at least for the next three years, the length of the current deal between Riot Games and the Saudi organizers. Beyond the large prize pool, teams are especially interested in earning Club Points.

The EWC isn't just about showcasing top-tier VALORANT talent. As its name suggests, it aims to become a global "World Cup" or even the "Olympics" of esports. Over eight weeks, clubs from around the world compete in Riyadh across 25 different games. The ultimate goal is to win the Club Championship. Points are awarded based on placement in each title, and the club with the most at the end will be crowned champion.

It's worth noting that the event is fully funded by Saudi Arabia, founded by the royal family as a soft power initiative to improve its international image—similar to efforts seen in other countries. This was highlighted when Tarik "tarik" Celik revealed he declined a “seven-figure offer” to host the event. Critics have pointed out ongoing concerns about LGBTQ+ safety and press freedom in the country.

There were two paths to the EWC for the 16 competing teams. Just like the recent Masters in Toronto, results from VCT Stage 1 determined automatic qualification for the top two teams in each region (EMEA, Americas, Pacific, and China). This accounts for half the lineup in Riyadh. The other eight teams had to earn their spots through regional qualifiers.

Based on their regional Stage 1 placements, teams faced off in either double-elimination brackets or group stages, depending on the region. For some, the road was long—NRG had to play seven matches in their qualifier, one more than they did in the entire VCT Americas regular season.

The competition follows a straightforward format due to the tight schedule. The 16 qualified teams are split into four groups, each featuring one team from every region. In Group A, Masters Toronto champions will face G2 Esports (missing Nathan “leaf” Orf), Karmine Corp (back on the international stage since Madrid), and China’s second seed, Bilibili Gaming, who had a disappointing run in Toronto.

In Group B, China’s top seed will face Sentinels, BBL Esports, and DRX in a battle for the two playoff spots. Group C features Titan Esports Club’s international debut, as they face Pacific’s top seed RRQ, Team Heretics, and NRG. Finally, Group D includes EMEA powerhouse Fnatic and reigning world champions EDward Gaming, joined by Gen.G (Pacific) and 100 Thieves, making their international return a year after Masters Shanghai.

The competition will begin with a GSL Group Stage played in BO3, featuring four groups of four teams. Teams achieving two victories will progress to the playoffs, while two losses will result in elimination. The top two teams from each group will move on to a single-elimination playoff bracket, with a third-place match also scheduled.

As mentioned earlier in the article, this is the first time VALORANT is officially part of the Esports World Cup. Last year, the game was featured in a less official capacity through a side tournament. Named the Warriors Cup 2024, the event only included teams from Gulf countries, with three Saudi clubs and one from Kuwait competing in the final stage. Onyx Ravens ultimately took the title, defeating Team Falcons in the grand final.