Cristiano Ronaldo named ambassador for $78m prize-pot Esports World Cup 2025 in Saudi Arabia

The world's biggest gaming tournament kicks off in Saudi Arabia on July 7, with a record-breaking $70m prize pool and Cristiano Ronaldo as a global ambassador.
Saudi Arabia aims to make esports history this summer as the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC) returns to Riyadh from July 7 to August 24, bringing together the world's top gamers and teams.
Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Al Nassr FC and five-time Ballon d'Or winner, has been named Global Ambassador for the Esports World Cup. The announcement was made by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), the organisers behind the world's largest and most prestigious gaming tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo named ambassador for Esports World Cup 2025
Held at Boulevard City in Riyadh, the Esports World Cup 2025 will feature:
2,000+ professional players
200+ clubs
100+ countries represented
25 tournaments across 24 top game titles
A record prize pool exceeding $70 million
As ambassador, Ronaldo will lead EWC's international media campaign, appear in a range of promotional activities, and even feature as a playable character in FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves — one of the headline games in the 2025 competition.
His involvement is expected to draw fresh audiences to esports, leveraging his global social media following of more than 1bn fans.
The Esports World Cup is part of the Kingdom's ambitious strategy to become a global hub for gaming and digital entertainment, reinforcing its leadership in hosting mega-events that merge technology, culture, and sport.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The National

an hour ago

• The National

Family man Robert Whittaker puts his game face on for UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi

Family, the gym and video games make up the 'perfect three' in life outside the octagon for Robert Whittaker. The former UFC middleweight champion's 16-year journey in the sport is well-documented. However, what is not as widely talked about is the fact he is a family man who spends most of his time at home with his wife and kids, whenever he is not in the gym. 'I'm a family man, I've got a big family. So if I'm not at the gym you'll catch me with the kids. I'm big into video games, I enjoy them for my downtime as well,' Whittaker told The National. 'That's something maybe people don't know, I'm not sure. Otherwise, yeah that's me. I'm at the gym, I'm with my kids or I'm at the computer. That's kind of my perfect three.' It is a different story inside the octagon, though. 'When I'm in the octagon, across from my opponents, it's business, you know. He's trying to take everything from me, I'm trying to take everything from him but I understand that 15-25 minutes, that's as long as it goes for,' he added. 'Outside of that, I'm a dad, I'm a husband, I'm another man. I'm just another person. We all have our strengths and there's a time and place for everything.' Next month, Whittaker will have to take a step back from family life as he takes on Dutchman Reinier de Ridder in Abu Dhabi. Whittaker, 34, enjoys a 26-8 win-loss MMA record, compared to his Dutch opponent's 20-2 record. The middleweights headline UFC Fight Night at the Etihad Arena on July 26. De Ridder made an impressive debut in the UAE Warriors by knocking out Magomedmurad Khasaev in the first round and was immediately signed by the UFC. He is undefeated in three appearances in the world's lead MMA promotion, ending all of them without inside the distance. 'I look forward to hard fights. They bring the best out of me. Obviously, the crowd and the fans enjoy it. But I like the test,' Whittaker said of his upcoming fight. 'I'm not here to fight chumps. I'm here to fight the best. He's well put together. He's got a good skill set. He's high calibre. So, I look forward to putting on a show.' Whittaker believes success against De Ridder will take him closer to another title shot. 'Yes, victory against RDR pushes me in the path towards gold. That's what I'm trying to head for. That's the direction I want to head to. It makes me a better fighter,' he said. Whittaker will look into his opponent's fighting skills and the challenges he may pose, but believes he will make his own assessment of De Ridder closer to the contest. 'I don't do too much research up until a little closer to the fight night. I let my coaching staff do that, so that I work on skill sets without any predisposition in my head,' he added. 'And once this week, next week, the week after, I'll do my own research and then everything will just click and fall into place.' Whittaker returns to the octagon for the first time since a first-round defeat to Khamzat Chimaev in the UFC 308 co-main event in Abu Dhabi last October. There, Chimaev handed Whittaker a chastening defeat, crushing several of his teeth in the process. 'Outstanding,' he said of his preparation for De Ridder. 'I got that last month to sharpen up. I'm looking forward to getting in there and looking forward to going back to Abu Dhabi. 'I love fighting over there. So yeah, everything's in place and I'm going to be coming in fight week at 100 per cent.' I love fighting in Abu Dhabi. I jump at the opportunity. Any opportunity I'm given to fight in Abu Dhabi Robert Whittaker Whittaker hopes to arrive in Abu Dhabi 10 days before the fight; this will be his fourth visit to the capital. 'I love fighting in Abu Dhabi. I jump at the opportunity. Any opportunity I'm given to fight in Abu Dhabi, I take it because I just … I know the area now,' he said. 'I know how I got my set-up, my plans for when we get in, and where we're going to train, who we're going to work with. And I know everything's done well and professionally. So I always look forward to the opportunity of fighting there.' Whittaker has come a long way in combat sports, after moving on from rugby league in his younger days. 'I've always been in combat sports,' he said. 'I don't think I played a lot of rugby league when I was younger. Honestly, that's what I thought I'd be doing professionally, but then kind of branched off into MMA, and I'm glad I did. I did all right. 'Right now my trade is combat sports. After I finish up at UFC, I will probably look to do some jiu-jitsu, some coaching. 'I'm not sure if I'll compete anymore after that. I'll cross that bridge when we get there. I've got some things to do still while I'm active.' And the first of those on his 'to-do' list is the fight in the UAE next month. Preparation for bouts is pretty much routine: gradually move away from the comfort of home and get into fight mode. 'I stay with my family the entire time, but once I leave for the fight, the closer I get to the fight naturally, I start to hone into those instincts and that headspace of what needs to be done,' he said. 'As the weight starts to come off ... it's natural for me now. I've been doing it for so long, and I've been in the sport for so long that it happens naturally. You know, I don't really need to think. 'I want to get that title. That's what I'm fighting for. I'm doing everything in my power to beat RDR and that'll push me in the direction that I need to go to get rematches or fights with people that are holding the strap.' Whittaker will not be completely alone in his journey in Abu Dhabi as his family will join him for the contest. 'I can't wait to come out there once again, put on a show, bring my family this time so they can enjoy the area as well ... I look forward to it.'

Khaleej Times

13 hours ago

• Khaleej Times

Asian Tour poised for thrilling second half as global talent takes center stage

With June drawing to a close, it's the perfect time to take a mid-season look at the fast-evolving landscape of the Asian Tour in 2025. So far, the tour has hosted eight qualifying events, with 15 more to come, including its traditionally strong second half. Major highlights ahead include next month's Open Championship at Royal Portrush, the prestigious $5 million PIF Saudi International in Riyadh in November, and the $1 million Saudi Open presented by PIF in December (venue to be confirmed). Anchoring the schedule are seven more International Series events, the cornerstone of the calendar that kicked off in the Philippines back in January. After a brief pause, action resumes with the $2 million International Series Morocco from July 3–6 at the Red Course at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. Both the Asian Tour Order of Merit and the International Series Rankings currently showcase a strong mix of Asian Tour regulars and LIV Golf stars, reflecting the tour's growing international appeal. At the top of the Order of Merit sits Carlos Ortiz (Mexico), while Lucas Herbert (Australia), a former HERO Dubai Desert Classic champion, leads the IS Rankings. Players from seven different countries feature in each top 10 list which is a testament to the global reach of the tour. Notably, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed both hold top-five positions in the International Series standings. As in previous years, the winner of the IS Rankings earns a coveted spot on the following LIV Golf season, provided they're not already part of its roster. This creates an added layer of incentive for players throughout the year. The LIV Golf investment - which includes the International Series and broader Asian Tour initiatives - continues to elevate the tour, bringing international attention and additional value to all events at a pivotal time in golf's global development. The second half of the season promises even more excitement as players from the Asian Tour, LIV, and other circuits battle it out for prize money, Official World Golf Ranking points, and career-shaping opportunities. Much like the DP World Tour, the Asian Tour, along with its Asian Development Tour (ADT), continues to champion regional talent through partnerships with bodies like the Arab Golf Federation (AGF). These platforms are crucial for nurturing elite amateur and professional players across the Middle East, under the guidance of the Saudi Golf Federation (SGF). Next week's event in Morocco exemplifies this commitment, with players from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and host nation Morocco among those entered so far - a showcase of emerging regional talent alongside seasoned pros. Order of Merit (post-U.S. Open): Carlos Ortiz (Mexico) Sadom Kaewkanjana (Thailand) Ollie Schniederjans (USA) Dongmin Mun (Korea) Ryan Peake (Australia) International Series Rankings (post-U.S. Open): Lucas Herbert (Australia) Carlos Ortiz (Mexico) Ollie Schniederjans (USA) Bryson DeChambeau (USA) Patrick Reed (USA) For full details and schedule updates, visit:

Khaleej Times

14 hours ago

• Khaleej Times

Dubai targets 1,000km of dedicated cycling tracks by 2030

Dubai has always set the benchmark in many areas, and the bustling emirate is now further enhancing its reputation for healthy living and sustainable transport. Dubai, which is already boasts if 560km of cycling tracks, is aiming 1,000km of dedicated cycling tracks by 2030, the Dubai Media Office said on Sunday, June 22. The growth has been tremendous with Dubai starting off with nine kilometres of cycling tracks in 2006.