The Esports World Cup (EWC) has launched an official fantasy league, offering fans a new avenue to engage with the prestigious tournament and compete for a share of a substantial $200,000 USD prize pool. Renowned chess grandmaster Anish Giri recently highlighted the new initiative on social media, tweeting, "Apparently you can join fantasy league for the EWC with the link below. Sounds like a lot of fun, to be honest, do check it out and let me know whats up."
The interactive fantasy platform, developed in collaboration with sports data and technology company Genius Sports, features two primary modes: Pick'ems and a full Fantasy League. The Pick'em stage allows participants to predict the top eight teams across all 24 EWC titles, while the comprehensive Fantasy League focuses on five major esports: VALORANT, Dota 2, League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and Counter-Strike 2.
This initiative aims to deepen fan interaction and transform spectators into active participants, making them an integral part of the action. Mike McCabe, COO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, stated that the EWC is designed to serve every level of the esports ecosystem. The free-to-play platform is accessible via a dedicated website and the official EWC mobile app, available in both English and Arabic.
The Esports World Cup itself is being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 to August 24, 2025, and boasts an unprecedented overall prize pool of $70 million. The introduction of the fantasy league further expands the tournament's reach and appeal, inviting a broader global audience to participate in the competitive esports landscape beyond traditional viewership.