The upcoming Esports World Cup has announced Counter-Strike 2 and StarCraft II as the latest major esports titles to join the fledgling tournament series. Teams and players will battle through existing CS2 and SC2 events for the chance to qualify for their respective Saudi-backed world championships this summer.
With invites tied directly to tournaments like IEM Katowice and Cologne, the incentive for top-level performance has dramatically increased.
Summary
- Counter-Strike 2 and StarCraft II tournaments will be held at the Esports World Cup 2024 in Saudi Arabia
- CS2 event invites will go to top teams from IEM Katowice and Cologne tournaments
- StarCraft II championship will feature 18 top players and have the game’s largest ever prize pool
- Esports World Cup will use a cross-game ranking system across all titles
- Saudi Arabia’s increased esports involvement continues to draw “sportswashing” accusations
SC2’s inclusion is fairly straightforward – the Esports World Cup installment will effectively serve as this year’s world championship, featuring the 18 best players on earth. Reigning world champions Serral and Clem have already punched their tickets.
Other invites will go to top performers at recent and upcoming tournaments like IEM Katowice, setting the stage for an epic clash between SC2 legends. With organizers touting this as StarCraft II’s highest ever prize pool, that alone should entice the fiercest competition from elite players.
Esports World Cup 2024 🤝 Counter-Strike 2
Which teams do you think will make it to the largest esports event of all time? 🤨#EsportsWorldCup #CS2 #EWC pic.twitter.com/vpthZWCcGo
— Esports World Cup (@ESWCgg) February 3, 2024
The CS2 tournament invites remain vague for now, but will also connect directly to existing major events. IEM tournament winners will earn automatic entry into the Esports World Cup, while top teams across other ESL Pro Tour events stand to qualify as well. This stimulates even greater importance and intensity around established CS2 tournaments.
Both new Esports World Cup events will take place this summer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, alongside mobile title Mobile Legends Bang Bang. They are the latest fruits of Saudi Arabia’s massive push into the esports industry, as the oil-rich Kingdom repositions itself as an entertainment destination.
The country has poured vast sums of money into gaming investments – most recently the $15 million Riyadh Masters for DOTA 2.
The world's most storied esport is joining the official #EsportsWorldCup lineup!
StarCraft II will be featured at #EWC as the World Championship event for #ESLProTour, crowning the best #SC2 player on the planet!
Who are you rooting for? Tell us in the comments below! 👇👇 pic.twitter.com/wDCjxN8U88
— Esports World Cup (@ESWCgg) February 2, 2024
The Esports World Cup in particular seems poised to drive Saudi Arabia’s esports influence to new heights. Featuring multiple game titles and record prize pools, the Olympic-style tournament has the makings of an elite worldwide spectacle. However it has already drawn sharp criticism for alleged “sportswashing” – exploiting esports to whitewash Saudi Arabia’s repression of human rights and civil liberties. Similar to football though, the lure of bigger money and global exposure continues to override these concerns for some tournament organizers and participants.
