The Esports World Cup is back in 2025, and this year features a major addition: Free Fire! Following the success of the 2024 tournament, Garena's popular mobile battle royale will return to the competition.
Team Falcons, the 2024 champions, will be looking to defend their title. Their victory secured them a coveted spot in the Free Fire World Series Global Finals in Rio de Janeiro.
Free Fire joins Honor of Kings in returning to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for this Gamers8 spin-off event. Saudi Arabia's significant investment in esports aims to establish the country as a global esports hub, with the Esports World Cup offering substantial prize pools and global exposure.
The high production values of the Esports World Cup are undeniable, attracting major titles like Free Fire. However, the event's status as a secondary event compared to other global esports tournaments remains a question. While the return of Free Fire after the 2021 cancellation of the Free Fire World Series is a positive sign, the long-term success of the Esports World Cup's continued growth is yet to be seen. Despite this, the event's prestige and significant prize money remain attractive to both players and developers alike.