Stands are prepared for visitors during the opening ceremony of 2024 Esports World Cup is held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on July 2.
Mohammed Saad/Anadolu/Getty Images
A new esports tournament in Saudi Arabia promises to be a game-changer – but it’s also caused division in the industry
Spectators watch video games as gamers from different countries play during an esports and gaming festival Gamers8 at Boulevard Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, July 9, 2023.
Ahmed Yosri/Reuters
Inaugural Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia, worth more than $60M, hopes to send ‘positive message’ to struggling industry
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Paul Sewald throws against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning in Game 7 of the baseball NL Championship Series in Philadelphia Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brynn Anderson/AP
Analysis: World Series or not – viewership is baseball’s big problem
Fans watch a "League of Legends" tournament at the Zenith on May 18, 2018 in Paris, France
Chesnot/Getty Images
The Asian Games’ golden ticket: South Korea’s esports stars target medal success – and a military exemption

Video

esports world cup pkg1 card 1.jpg
• Video 2:28
CNN
Saudi Arabia is hosting the world’s first Esports World Cup 2:28
esports world cup pkg 2 video card 1.jpg
• Video 2:30
Esports World Cup Foundation
Gamers are competing for a record-breaking $60m prize pool at the Esports World Cup 2:30
Javier Zafra, Fnatic's Director for League of Legends
• Video 1:06
CNN
Pro-Gamers at Esports World Cup predict explosive industry growth 1:06
Romain Bigeard, the General Manager for League of Legends at G2 Esports
• Video 1:06
CNN
Esports World Cup takes competitive gaming to new heights 1:06

Sport photos

04 whim golf
• Gallery Gallery
Jessica Foley/Whim Golf
Gallery The luxury fashion brand trying to inject golf with a new style
Paris 2024 Olympics - Ceremonies - Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - August 11, 2024. General view of fireworks above the stadium during the closing ceremony. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
• Gallery Gallery
Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters
Gallery In pictures: The closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics

Sport news

27 August 2024, France, Paris: Briton John McFall is the first ESA astronaut in training with a disability and is taking part in the opening of the Paralympic Games in Paris as flag bearer. Photo: Michael Evers/dpa (Photo by Michael Evers/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Michael Evers/picture alliance/Getty Images
This Paralympian could be the first disabled person to go to space
MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 25: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid looks on prior to the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Real Valladolid CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 25, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Angel Martinez/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Vinícius Jr. tells CNN that he and Real Madrid teammates would walk off the pitch in reaction to racist abuse
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 27: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces goes for the rebound during the game against the Dallas Wings on August 27, 2024 at the College Park Center in Arlington, TX. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
Michael Gonzales/NBAE/Getty Images
Dallas Wings defeat back-to-back WNBA champions Las Vegas Aces despite 42-point explosion from A’ja Wilson
Dan Evans looks on during his match against Karen Khachanov at the US Open.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
‘I just want to go to bed’: Dan Evans outlasts Karen Khachanov in longest US Open match in history