Jul 11, 2025.
Fans of every esport were on the edge of their seats as the Esports World Cup officially kicked off on July 10th with the Opening Ceremony. The star-studded event featured an incredible musical lineup – headlined by American rapper and singer Post Malone – and celebrated the upcoming weeks of top-tier competitive gaming by players from around the globe.
Breathtaking set design, jaw-dropping pyrotechnics, stunning choreography, and even multiple appearances by chess heavyweight Magnus Carlsen created an experience unlike anything the esports world had seen before.
The ceremony kicked off with a breathtaking cello solo by the acclaimed Tina Guo, leading into the live debut of the official Esports World Cup anthem, “Till My Fingers Bleed.” The performance fused the talents of DINO of Seventeen, DUCKWRTH, Telle Smith from The Word Alive, and EDM star Alesso into one seamless set.
Country, pop, and rap star Post Malone took the stage soon after the conclusion of the official anthem with a medley of his greatest hits, including songs like "Sunflower." A dynamic team of dancers, alongside appearances from EWC competitors like the Team Falcons roster, created an emotionally compelling tribute to last year’s competition and an introduction to the Esports World Cup 2025.
After a brief pause, Post Malone returned to pick up right where he left off during the first segment of the show. Riding the venue’s energy, he noted that winners would be hearing the title of his final song as they lifted their trophies after their tournaments concluded. The crowd roared with excitement as the opening chords of “Congratulations” filled the arena.
Big names weren’t confined to the stage at the anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The red carpet featured influencers and gaming icons like actor Kerry Wang, FGC star Arslan Ash and League of Legends streamer Tyler “Tyler1” Steinkamp. Well-known footballers such as Karim Benzema, Sadio Mané, and Riyad Mahrez also made their presence known at the Opening Ceremony.
That’s not to mention the variety of Esports World Cup competitors, esports organization executives, content creators, and musicians who stopped by from all over the world.
Even though the majority of excitement was confined to the anb arena, the action at Riyadh boulevard was exhilarating. FATAL FURY: COTW at EWC 25 and Apex Legends at EWC 25 were in full swing as opening segments from both tournaments had competitors fighting to reach the next stage in their journey to Esports World Cup glory.
The night was far from over for those lucky enough to attend the Opening Ceremony in person. Entertainment at the anb arena continued as Alesso pumped more life into the party with his progressive house pop.
Looking to relive the show for the first time? Miss the live stream on July 10th? Make sure to hop over to YouTube to catch the Opening Ceremony recording. Don't forget to keep up with the Esports World Cup schedule to see who is competing each and every day over the next two months.
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