Stands are prepared for visitors during the opening ceremony of 2024 Esports World Cup is held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on July 2.
Mohammed Saad/Anadolu/Getty Images
A new esports tournament in Saudi Arabia promises to be a game-changer – but it’s also caused division in the industry
Spectators watch video games as gamers from different countries play during an esports and gaming festival Gamers8 at Boulevard Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, July 9, 2023.
Ahmed Yosri/Reuters
Inaugural Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia, worth more than $60M, hopes to send ‘positive message’ to struggling industry
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Paul Sewald throws against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning in Game 7 of the baseball NL Championship Series in Philadelphia Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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Analysis: World Series or not – viewership is baseball’s big problem
Fans watch a "League of Legends" tournament at the Zenith on May 18, 2018 in Paris, France
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The Asian Games’ golden ticket: South Korea’s esports stars target medal success – and a military exemption

Video

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• Video 2:28
CNN
Video Saudi Arabia is hosting the world’s first Esports World Cup 2:28
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• Video 2:30
Esports World Cup Foundation
Video Gamers are competing for a record-breaking $60m prize pool at the Esports World Cup 2:30
Javier Zafra, Fnatic's Director for League of Legends
• Video 1:06
CNN
Video Pro-Gamers at Esports World Cup predict explosive industry growth 1:06
Romain Bigeard, the General Manager for League of Legends at G2 Esports
• Video 1:06
CNN
Video Esports World Cup takes competitive gaming to new heights 1:06

Sport photos

Mar 28, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Coen Carr (55) dunks against Mississippi Rebels forward Malik Dia (0) in the second half of a South Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Will
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Dale Zanine/Imagn Images/Reuters
Gallery The best photos from this year’s March Madness
Boxing legend George Foreman poses for a portrait at the George Foreman Youth Center in Houston in 2015.
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Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle/AP
Gallery George Foreman’s life in pictures

Sport news

Apr 3, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; A general overall view of Amalie Arena, the site of the 2025 NCAA Women's Final Four. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Kirby Lee/Imagn Images/Reuters
Women’s Final Four: how to watch and everything to know about the closing stages of Women’s March Madness
US Grant Fisher (L) competes and wins the 3000m men event and breaking the World Record (us cole hocker finishes second) at the 117th Millrose Games at « The Armory » track and field center in New York City on February 8, 2025.
Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
US distance running is ‘at an all-time high,’ and Grant Fisher, who broke two world records in six days, leads the charge
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FG Trade/E+/Getty Images
Fencer disqualified from tournament after refusing to face an opponent she says is transgender
FIFA President Gianni Infantino makes a speech during the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok on May 17, 2024. The 74th FIFA Congress is taking place in Bangkok with member associations voting on a range of issues including confirmation of the host nation or nations for the 2027 women's football World Cup. (Photo by Manan VATSYAYANA / AFP) (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images)
Manan Vatsayana/AFP/Getty Images
FIFA’s Infantino points to US hosting 2031 Women’s World Cup and UK getting 2035 edition