BECOME AN EWC FESTIVAL STAR
DO WHAT YOU LOVE AT THE EWC FESTIVAL
Stars of the esports community, we want to see your Play of the Game. Esports is more than just the pros - it’s the casters, analysts, streamers, and cosplayers that keep esports hype. The EWC Festival celebrates the esports community by giving opportunities to talented and passionate fans who are grinding and getting W’s.
Cosplayer Experience
Whether you’ve been building your own Sven-inspired armor or striking poses as D.Va, cosplayers have been bringing esports games to life at conventions and tournaments - and now we want you at the EWC festival! If you have a detailed and well-made cosplay inspired by a video game character that you’ve made yourself, we want you to show it off! Get the crowds hype or host cosplay workshops at one of the largest esports events of the year.
Criteria for Cosplayers
ORIGINAL CREATIONS: The cosplay must be your own work, showcasing creativity and craftsmanship.
QUALITY AND DETAIL: Costumes should be well-made, detailed, and reflect the character or concept accurately.
RELEVANCE: Cosplays related to gaming, esports, or pop culture themes.
Media Coverage
From insightful interviews to immediate tournament results, esports publications keep tournaments in the spotlight and connect the community. Whether it’s high-quality video essays, in-depth features, or informative livestreams, if you have prior experience covering esports and game topics we have exclusive spots for media to cover the EWC festival. Those excited to cover the event will have access to everything (and everyone) they need to create authentic content that speaks to fans.
Criteria for Media Coverage
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: The platform should have prior experience covering esports events or gaming-related topics.
CONTENT QUALITY: Produces high-quality content (videos, articles, photos, or live streams) that aligns with the professionalism of the EWC event.
SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE: Active on platforms that can amplify the event’s reach and generate buzz.
COMMITEMENT TO THE EVENT: Must show enthusiasm for esports and a clear interest in covering EWC.
Game Developer
Want a bunch of experienced esports fans to test out your game? Bring your original and unique creation to the EWC festival to get valuable feedback and engagement from both passionate gamers and industry professionals. We want to see your innovative ideas on the grand stage, so let’s see those stand-out games whether it’s a concept or finished product.
Criteria For Game Developer
ORIGINAL GAME: The game must be your own creation, whether it's a new concept or a completed product.
CREATIVITY: The game should feature unique ideas or mechanics that make it stand out.
PASSION: The developer should be enthusiastic about showcasing their game and receiving feedback.
Caster Experience
Esports casting is all about hype, strategy, and a little bit of good-natured banter. If you know the game inside and out and can engage the audience with your energy and humor, step up to the mic at the EWC Festival studio and show us what you’ve got! You might just earn a spot casting at one of the biggest esports events in the world.
Criteria for Caster
GAME KNOWLEDGE: They must know the game inside and out, including strategies, rules, and current trends.
CASTING SKILLS: Good at explaining the action, either with excitement (play-by-play) or detailed analysis (color commentary).
AUDIENCE CONNECTION: Engages the audience with energy, humor, and a likable personality.
EXPERIENCE: Has cast games or events before and knows how to handle the pressure of live events. SOCIAL MEDIA: An active online presence can help promote your event.
Analyst Experience
Do you have experience breaking down a play during a match or predicting a team’s strategy going into the next round? You’re not a know-it-all - you’re an analyst! We want to see your best analytical yapping in the EWC festival studio, including game analyzing, team stats, and clear play explanations so we can break down your abilities ahead of the second annual EWC!
Criteria for Analyst
GAME KNOWLEDGE: Knows the selected game well, including strategies, player stats, and the latest updates.
ANALYSIS SKILLS: Can explain why teams and players make certain decisions in matches.
COMMUNICATION: Clearly explains ideas in a way that both casual viewers and hardcore fans understand.
EXPERIENCE: Has analyzed games before in events or content, showing they know what they’re doing.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Active online to share thoughts and interact with the esports community.
Other
We wanna see your passion and creativity become a reality at EWC. Make an impact on the esports industry by doing what you love. Anyone with something unique to offer to the esports scene should show us their latest W’s, whether it’s an exciting community activation or a way to spread awareness to fans.
Criteria for other ideas
INNOVATION: The idea should be unique and creative, and offer something new to the esports industry.
ENGAGEMENT: The idea should actively involve and engage the audience, creating memorable experiences.
FEASIBILITY: The concept should be realistic to execute within the festival's resources, space, and time constraints.
IMPACT: The activation should have a lasting effect on attendees, such as raising awareness, inspiring collaboration, or showcasing innovation in esports.
About EWC and EWCF
About Esports World Cup and Esports World Cup Foundation
The Esports World Cup is an elite multi-game esports competition that showcases the top pros from all over the world in high-level tournaments with massive prize pools. The calendar of events spans for two months, including matches featuring both popular teams and new arrivals that proved themselves in qualifying events. The annual event in Saudi Arabia is meant to bring the entirety of the esports community together, with challenges, live entertainment, and more to celebrate the esports community as a whole.
The Esports World Cup Foundation is a nonprofit organization chartered with organizing the Esports World Cup.
Mission and objectives of the initiative
Esports is more than just top esports teams. The Esports World Cup Festival highlights the passionate industry as a whole, including the community. The Esports World Cup Foundation fosters a deeper connection with esports talent and fans, giving them an opportunity to be recognized for doing what they love.
FAQ
What is the Esports World Cup and EWC Festival?
Esports World Cup (EWC) is a premier annual sporting event and global celebration of competitive excellence and esports fandom. The competition features a unique cross-game format that pits the world's top esports clubs against one another for the largest prize pool in esports history. The inaugural EWC in 2024 featured 1,500 elite athletes and 200 clubs from 100 countries. They competed in 22 tournaments across 21 games for a $60 million prize pool. The eight-week competition and festival drew 500 million viewers online and saw 2.6 million people attend.
Returning to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the summer of 2025, the EWC will bring gaming and esports communities together again to crown the next Esports World Cup Club Champion.
The EWC Festival is a global celebration of gaming culture, held as part of the Esports World Cup. Bringing together esports tournaments, live music, retro gaming arcades, anime cafés, cosplay competitions, creator studios, and more, it offers millions of fans exclusive experiences that showcase their passion for gaming and entertainment.
When does the EWC Festival start and end?
The EWC Festival 2025 will take place from July to August 2025, spanning several weeks of esports action and gaming celebrations at Riyadh Boulevard.
What is the EWCF Stars Community Program?
The EWC Festival Stars Community Program, launched by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), is a pioneering local initiative that empowers aspiring esports talents, content creators, cosplayers, analysts, and gaming innovators. Designed specifically for local participants, it offers them a unique opportunity to be part of the EWC Festival experience, the world’s largest gaming and esports celebration.
What categories can I apply for?
The program includes multiple categories, allowing participants to engage in different areas of gaming and esports:
- Caster Experience - Provide live commentary and analysis for the community esports tournaments at the festival
- Analyst Experience - Deliver in-depth game breakdowns and strategic insights for the community tournament at the festival
- Cosplayer Experience - Showcase your craftsmanship and engage with the gaming community
- Media Platform - Cover the festival, connect with influencers, and produce exclusive content.
- Game Developer - Present and promote your game to industry leaders and the global gaming community
- Other - Open application to propose and implement innovative ideas to enhance the festival experience
Who is eligible to participate in the program?
The EWC Festival Stars Community Program is open to Saudi citizens and residents who meet the following criteria:
- Must be at least 12 years old by July 1, 2025
- Must be fluent in both Arabic and English
- Must be available for at least one week during July - August 2025
What is the selection process for participants?
Participants applying to the program will be evaluated on their creativity and contributions to enhancing the EWC Festival and enriching the gaming and esports community experience. Selected participants will gain exclusive opportunities to connect with industry leaders and showcase their work to a global audience.
Do I need prior experience to apply?
No experience is necessary! What matters most is your passion and enthusiasm for esports, gaming, and content creation. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned participant, the program values creativity and a desire to contribute to the festival.
Can I participate if I don’t live in KSA?
Currently, the program is exclusively open to Saudi citizens and residents.
What is the deadline for registration?
The application deadline is May 31, 2025. Interested participants should apply before the deadline to be considered.
Can I participate in multiple categories?
Absolutely! You can apply for as many categories as you’d like, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements for each.
How will I know if my application is successful?
If selected, the EWCF team will contact you using the details provided in your application.
Will selected participants receive official accreditation or certification?
Yes, all successful participants will receive official accreditation recognizing their role and contributions to the Esports World Cup.
How will my work or performance be evaluated?
Evaluations will be based on category-specific criteria, such as creativity, technical skills, audience engagement, and overall contribution to the festival experience.
If I am selected, will I need to be available during the entire event?
No, participants will only need to be available on specific days, which will be communicated in advance by the EWCF team.
What happens if I am selected but unable to attend?
If you are unable to attend, your spot will be forfeited, and another candidate may be chosen.
Will participants be paid for their contributions?
The EWC Festival Stars Community Program is a voluntary initiative. Participants will receive exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the Esports World Cup festival, including mentorship, industry connections, and exposure at the world’s largest esports and gaming event.
Will I need to sign an employment contract?
No, this is not an employment opportunity. Participants will receive official accreditation for their role but will not sign employment contracts.
Is there a possibility of employment after the festival?
While there are no guaranteed employment opportunities, the program provides valuable networking and industry exposure that may lead to future career prospects in gaming and esports.
If I participated in 2025, do I need to reapply for EWC 2026?
Yes, all participants must submit a new application for EWC 2026.
Who can I contact for more information?
For further details, please contact communityemail@worldcupfoundation.org, or follow @EWC_AR on social media for the latest updates.