Aug 19, 2025.
Counter-Strike 2 returns to Riyadh as the final event of the 2025 Esports World Cup. 16 of the world’s best teams compete for prestige, the final club championship points, and a piece of the $1,250,000 prize pool.
Teams qualified for this year’s Esports World Cup through their placements in the global Valve Rankings as of June, with one exception. The winner of the Asian Champions League, TYLOO, was granted the 16th spot in Riyadh. Ranked 18th at the time, the Chinese club would have otherwise missed out on EWC.
Other teams should not take TYLOO lightly. The club has since surged to 10th in the world following a string of strong performances.
One notable absence based on the current rankings is FURIA. The Brazilian squad recently climbed to 6th place after narrowly missing qualification in June, where they sat at 16th. Their rise pushed Virtus.pro down the ladder, making Virtus.pro the only team at EWC currently sitting outside the world’s top 16.
As one of the big favorites for the Counter-Strike 2 at EWC 25 title, Team Vitality carries the weight of expectation. They must deliver if they want their organization to stay in contention for the Club Championship crown.
Sitting 950 points behind, nothing short of victory will do for the French bees. Even then, their fate rests on the Falcons. If the Saudi-based squad secures even a single point, Vitality’s hopes of overtaking them will vanish.
Counter-Strike 2 at EWC 25 will be one of the most unforgiving tournaments of this year’s Esports World Cup. No group stage, no double elimination, just straight knockout rounds. Every match matters, and every mistake could be fatal.
For favorites, one bad day or even a single poor series could end their title hopes. For underdogs, all it might take is one upset to spark a life-changing run.
While Counter-Strike 2 at EWC 25 is Team Vitality’s only shot at claiming Club Championship gold, the competition may already be decided before a single bullet is fired in the finals. If Team Falcons secure a top-eight finish in either Street Fighter 6, CROSSFIRE, or Counter-Strike 2, Vitality will be locked out of first place.
Team Liquid, meanwhile, needs at least 550 points across the remaining three titles to stay ahead of the bees, while also finishing 500 points clear of the Falcons to take home the crown themselves.
Ever dreamt of having all your star players on one team? Now you can within EWC Fantasy! Head to the EWC Game Hub to draft and manage your dream Counter-Strike 2 roster. Activate boosters, trade players, and keep track of your roster depending on real match results. It’s completely free to play and you also stand to win a share of the $200,000 prize pool.
With dozens of matches taking place over the next week, new legends will rise as winners are crowned and rivals are toppled. Watch the Esports World Cup 2025 live or check out the ticket options to watch the games in person!