Naraka: Bladepoint Joins The Esports World Cup Festival 2025

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) and NetEase Games today announced that Naraka: Bladepoint is the first esports title to join the Esports World Cup Festival tournament program, a new series of competitive events held alongside the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC). The Esports World Cup and its accompanying EWC Festival are set to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 through August 24.

The Naraka: Bladepoint Mid-Season Championship will be hosted at EWC Festival 2025, with Solos and Trios competitions offering prize pools of $150,000 and $350,000, respectively. The Solo finals will take place on August 19, followed by the Trios finals on August 20.

Credited with redefining the battle royale genre through its martial arts-inspired melee battle royale, the inclusion of Naraka: Bladepoint highlights the EWCF’s commitment to supporting the global esports ecosystem by providing a platform for the world’s most influential IPs to reach new audiences of players and fans.

“We are thrilled to welcome Naraka: Bladepoint to the Esports World Cup 2025 as the first title in our new EWC Festival tournament program,” said Fabian Scheuermann, Chief Games Officer, Esports World Cup Foundation. “Naraka pioneered the melee battle royale genre, blending martial arts elegance with competitive intensity that captivated millions of players worldwide. We’re proud to give it a new home on the world’s biggest gaming festival stage, where the EWC Festival celebrates competition and opens new opportunities for world-class esports ecosystems and players to compete at the highest level alongside the EWC Club Championship.”

Ray Kuan, Producer of Naraka: Bladepoint, added: 'By bringing the Naraka: Bladepoint Mid-Season Cup to the Esports World Cup (EWC) Festival program, the global esports strategy of 24 Entertainment and NetEase Games is taking a pivotal step. By leveraging the global influence of EWC's Festival we continue to prove our commitment to delivering a premier competitive experience for players everywhere, offering a significant opportunity for Chinese action-combat games to shine on the world stage."

Naraka: Bladepoint has sported a thriving esports scene since its release in 2021. The J Cup, which serves as the world championship for the competitive circuit, has drawn players from around the world to China to compete in Solos and Trios action for more than $1.5 million each year for the last three years.

The Esports World Cup Festival is a global celebration of gaming and esports culture. From esports tournaments and live music stages to retro arcades, anime cafes, cosplay shows and creator studios, the EWC Festival invites millions to explore and play together in the heart of Riyadh during the Esports World Cup.