From August 20 to August 24, Riyadh will host the Esports World Cup 2025 for Counter-Strike 2 — one of the most prestigious S-Tier tournaments of the year. With 16 teams, a $1,250,000 prize pool, and Tier 1 status by Valve, the event is set to bring high stakes, fast action, and some of the most dramatic games of the season.
Format
The entire tournament will be played in a single-elimination bracket, which means that every match is a do-or-die scenario. All games are held in the best-of-3 format, ensuring that teams need both depth and adaptability to advance. Unlike longer tournaments, there are no second chances — one bad series could end a campaign instantly. Before the Grand Final, fans will also see a Third Place Match, giving semifinal losers one last opportunity to secure additional prize money and ranking points.
Prize Pool Distribution
The $1,250,000 prize pool is split across all 16 participants, with the champion taking home the lion’s share. The winner of the event will earn $500,000 and 1,000 Club Points, while the runner-up secures $230,000 and 750 points.
- 1st place: $500,000 + 1,000 Club Points
- 2nd place: $230,000 + 750 Club Points
- 3rd place: $130,000 + 500 Club Points
- 4th place: $70,000 + 300 Club Points
- 5th–8th place: $40,000 + 200 Club Points
- 9th–16th place: $20,000
Schedule and Opening Matches
The Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh runs from August 20 to August 24. With a single-elimination bracket, every day brings decisive clashes, leaving no room for mistakes. All times below are listed in Central European Summer Time (CEST).
Wednesday, August 20 — Opening Round
- 13:00 — Natus Vincere vs. 3DMAX
- 13:00 — GamerLegion vs. The MongolZ
- 16:15 — Vitality vs. Liquid
- 16:15 — TYLOO vs. Astralis
- 19:30 — FaZe vs. Aurora
- 19:30 — Spirit vs. Heroic
Thursday, August 21 — Opening Round & Quarterfinals
- 13:00 — MOUZ vs. Virtus.pro
- 13:00 — G2 vs. Falcons
- 16:15 — Quarterfinal #1
- 19:30 — Quarterfinal #2
Friday, August 22 — Quarterfinals
- 16:30 — Quarterfinal #3
- 19:45 — Quarterfinal #4
Saturday, August 23 — Semifinals
- 16:30 — Semifinal #1
- 19:45 — Semifinal #2
Sunday, August 24 — Finals
- 09:00 — 3rd Place Match
- 12:00 — Grand Final
Tier List Predictions
S-tier: Vitality, Spirit — Two clear favorites. Vitality remain the most dominant roster in CS2, while Spirit’s momentum and firepower put them on equal footing to challenge for the title.
A-tier: MOUZ, The MongolZ — Both teams are well-prepared and highly consistent. MOUZ have proven themselves as finalists in Cologne, while The MongolZ impressed with their balanced style and breakout stars.
B-tier: NAVI, Falcons, Astralis — Teams that can make semifinals but need perfect conditions to go further. NAVI are finding new rhythm, Falcons have high motivation, and Astralis continue their steady rebuild with role clarity.
C-tier: FaZe, G2, Aurora — Dangerous but volatile. FaZe struggle to break into elite form, G2 are refining their system, and Aurora remain inconsistent after the map pool changes.
D-tier: Liquid, GamerLegion, 3DMAX — Solid enough to contest but unlikely to reach late stages. Liquid and GL lack stability, while 3DMAX often fall short against Tier 1 opposition.
E-tier: Virtus.pro, TYLOO, HEROIC — Long shots in Riyadh. VP’s form is flat, TYLOO remain unproven internationally, and HEROIC roster shuffle leaves them in disarray.
Where to Watch
All matches will be streamed on EWC official Twitch and YouTube channels, with full coverage in multiple languages. Regional co-streams and community broadcasts will also be available under EWC rules.
Final Thoughts
The Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh promises to be a short but brutal fight for one of the biggest trophies of the year. With just five days of action and a knockout bracket, every mistake could end a team’s run. Vitality and Spirit stand out as the main contenders, but MOUZ, The MongolZ, and Astralis all have a real shot to surprise.
Last year’s champions, Natus Vincere, enter the tournament with the pressure of defending their crown. They showed glimpses of resurgence in Cologne, yet the question remains — can NAVI rise to the occasion once again and retain their title, or will a new king be crowned in Riyadh?
