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

Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (24) reacts after a play against the New York Jets during an NFL football game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 in London. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
• Gallery Gallery
Steve Luciano/AP
Gallery The best photos from the 2024 NFL season
Pete Rose was a 17-time Major League Baseball All-Star who played more games and had more hits than anyone in league history.
• Gallery Gallery
Kim Kulish/Corbis/Getty Images
Gallery Pete Rose’s life in pictures

Sport news

October 1, 2023; The New York Liberty defeat the Connecticut Sun 87-84 at Mohegan Sun to advance to the 2023 WNBA Finals (Brandon Todd/Live Nation)
Brandon Todd/Brandon Todd/New York Liberty/Brandon Todd/New York Liberty
Making HERstory: How WNBA owner Clara Wu Tsai turned a team ‘no one wanted’ into New York’s next big franchise
Jabrill Peppers appears in court in Quincy, Massachusetts, on Monday, October 7.
Pool via WFXT
New England Patriots captain Jabrill Peppers arrested on assault, strangulation, drug charges
USA's Coco Gauff celebrates with the trophy after winning the women's singles final match against Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova at the China Open.
Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images
Gauff claims eighth WTA title, Castellanos comes up clutch: Five athletes who shone this weekend
Barcelona's Polish forward #09 Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring a hat-trick during the Spanish league football match between Deportivo Alaves and FC Barcelona at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria on October 6, 2024.
Cesar Manso/AFP/Getty Images
European soccer round-up: Robert Lewandowski hat-trick keeps Barcelona top of La Liga