Explore These Highlights At The Esports World Cup's Festival This Week

Riyadh is alive with energy as Esports World Cup 2025 first week kicks off with a slew of exciting festivities. Attendees can explore Riyadh Boulevard’s esports arenas, play games, create content, race against others, meet their favorite Falcons players, learn how to do Japanese calligraphy, and so much more.

Here is a sampling of some of the events, games, and experiences taking place over the first week of the Esports World Cup Festival.

Content Creator Park

Esports World Cup Festival Empowers the Falcons’ Spirit

Starting July 7th, fans can visit the Falcons Zone inside Content Creator Park and step right into the world of their favorite esports stars. This venue connects attendees with Falcons players and creators through live stage activations and fun challenges. There are even in-person meet and greets with the team this Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets to this opportunity are now available.

Other exciting activations in the same area include the Content Factory Experience where fans can star in and edit their own live video, the Haunted House that has a spooky adventure for all ages and the Try Not to Laugh Booth that tests their poker face with hilarious clips.

Japan Park in Crunchyroll Box

Japanese Culture Meets Gaming and Esports

Also throughout the week, visitors to Japan Park in the Crunchyroll Box can check out a special collaboration between Mugenjin and Kembu, learn Japanese calligraphy, play Go, visit exhibits dedicated to Attack on Titan and Blue Lock, and more. Interested in the cultural side of things? Try on a yukata and make your own fan. What makes this area stand out is how it blends gaming with traditional Japanese festival elements, thanks to its Shibuya-meets-summer matsuri design.

JAMEEL Motorsport Park

Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Meets Esports World Cup

If you’re visiting the JAMEEL Motorsport Park area, be sure to check out its wide range of activities. It’s a fast-paced zone that blends gaming and motorsport, giving attendees a chance to take part in car battles, karting time trials, livery design stations, and even paint and personalize car parts. There’s something for every racing fan throughout the week. The themed karting activation, in particular, lets racers drive Sonic-, Tails- and Knuckles-themed karts on a neon-lit track with boosts and game-inspired sound effects referencing SEGA’s Sonic Racing CrossWorlds.

stc Gaming Hall

Special Activations and Fan Experiences

The stc Gaming Hall is the heart of the festival, where attendees can catch live matches, explore club and publisher booths, and challenge friends in games that mirror the official EWC 2025 tournaments. The Gaming Pass offers daily challenges across key zones to keep the excitement going. This week’s special activations include the VALORANT G2 booth, celebrating 10 years of the esports organization, and a competitive SNK Fatal Fury activation.

Publisher Park

Unlock the League of Legends Skin of Your Dreams

Are you a fan of Riot Games’ VALORANT and League of Legends? Then Publisher Park is the place to be, offering gorgeous Spirit Blossom photo ops, merchandise, food and more. This area lets attendees enjoy treats at the VALORANT Night Market Coffee Corner and get custom portraits from a VALORANT-style sketch artist. Visitors can also take on VALORANT and League of Legends challenges before heading to the League of Legends Wishing Tree for a chance to earn a skin they’ve always wanted in their collection.

Retro Park

Rewind and Turn Back Time With the Atari and ‘90s Anime

Next, Retro Park drops attendees right into gaming’s golden eras — whether they’re feeling nostalgic or experiencing the best of the ’80s and ’90s for the first time. In addition to activations dedicated to classic gaming, the venue features movies, VBR experiences, arcades, a wall of memes, and even a Just Dance competition. Don’t forget about ’80s and ’90s anime, either — it doesn’t get more retro than this.

Aramco SIM Arena

Go Full Speed Ahead with the Formula 1 Experience

As for Aramco SIM Arena, it channels the adrenaline and precision of a real Formula 1 starting grid. This venue puts fans in the heart of a live motorsports event by testing their reflexes in the LIGHTS OUT Reaction Time Trials and letting them snap a photo with the iconic Aramco Aston Martin Formula 1 car. There’s also the Week 1 Grand Prix Tournament Finals, where top competitors race for glory on state-of-the-art simulators.

HMG Play Park

Where Gaming Meets Wellness

Last but not least, HMG Play Park blends the digital world with real life. It's the perfect place to play video games and get some exercise at the same time, thanks to titles such as the virtual reality game EVA, CycloBEAT 3.0, and Run Beat. Other highlights of Week 1 include the multi-room Maze Challenge and the full-body Valo Arena. There’s even an interactive mixed-reality trampoline and an augmented reality climbing wall to check out.