Hometown team takes unassailable lead as closest challengers drop out of the running RIYADH: Team Falcons of Saudi Arabia became the first Esports World Cup club champions after winning the title and $7 million first prize at Boulevard Riyadh City on Saturday. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport With the Kingdom’s hometown team holding a commanding championship advantage (4,160 points) heading into the penultimate day of the penultimate weekend in Riyadh, results in two of the Week 7 competitions gave them an unassailable lead. The Netherlands’ Team Liquid — Team Falcons’ closest challengers in second place — missed out on qualification for next week’s Tekken8 tournament, a result that ended their EWC Club Championship hopes. Elsewhere on Saturday, Team Vitality also dropped out of the running after bowing out of StarCraft II. With the French club competing in all three of the Week 8 tournaments — Tekken8, Rennsport and Rocket League — victory in StarCraft II would have meant a title win was still possible. However, they too came up short on the day, resulting in Team Falcons officially becoming the 2024 Club Championship winners – news that was greeted by jubilant scenes as the home crowd celebrated the achievement. The SEF Arena on Sunday will host the grand finals of StarCraft II, EA Sports FC 24, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. The Esports World Cup concludes with the closing ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 25, when the Esports World Cup club champion will be crowned in Riyadh.