The curtain fell on the first-ever Esports World Cup this Sunday with an unforgettable Closing Ceremony that marked the end of an epic two-month event in Riyadh. The ceremony, graced by the presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was a fitting conclusion to a summer that set new benchmarks for the global esports industry. Held at The Venue, the grand finale featured electrifying performances by international stars Kid Cudi, Rabeh Saqer, Sevdaliza, and Steve Aoki, thrilling the thousands of fans in attendance. The celebration was the culmination of eight weeks of fierce competition, which saw 1,500 athletes from over 200 clubs battle it out across 22 tournaments featuring 21 world-renowned titles, all competing for a record-breaking $60 million prize pool. The Esports World Cup wasn’t just a showcase of competitive gaming; it was a global event that captivated audiences worldwide. With 500 million viewers and 250 million hours of content consumed, it secured its place as the most-watched esports event of 2024. The peak of the excitement came during the Esports World Cup League of Legends competition, where 3.5 million fans tuned in simultaneously to witness the legendary Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok lead T1 to victory over Top Esports. The highlight of the evening was the crowning of Saudi Arabia’s Team Falcons as the first-ever Esports World Cup Club Champions. Team Falcons, led by Chairman Mossad ‘Msdossary’ Al-Dossary, dominated the competition, securing two tournament championships and six Top 3 finishes. Their triumph was rewarded with a $7 million first prize and the prestigious EWC Club Championship trophy. The Celebration of Champions, which followed the awards presentation, was a spectacle of fireworks, an impressive light show, and stories of the champions’ journeys. — SG