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
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The Asian Games’ golden ticket: South Korea’s esports stars target medal success – and a military exemption

Video

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• Video 2:28
CNN
Video 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
Video 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
Video 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
Video Esports World Cup takes competitive gaming to new heights 1:06

Sport photos

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 03: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles hurdles Jarrian Jones #22 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 03, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
• Gallery Gallery
Elsa/Getty Images
Gallery The best photos from the 2024 NFL season
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate their win against the New York Yankees in Game 5 to win the baseball World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
• Gallery Gallery
Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP
Gallery The best photos from the 2024 World Series

Sport news

Ducks fans rush the field after Oregon beat the Ohio State Buckeyes in Eugene, Oregon, last month.
Troy Wayrynen/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Decision day: Oregon tops season’s first College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings
Video: Jason Kelce smashes fan's phone for slur about brother, Taylor Swift
Perry Knotts/Getty Images
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Could the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions be set for a Super Bowl meeting?
Getty Images
Chiefs and Lions on Super Bowl collision course? Improvement from Bryce Young? Chargers showing promise? NFL Week 9 takeaways
Australian Rules umpire Leigh Haussen has been suspended after he dressed up as Osama bin Laden at a party.
Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos
Australian Rules umpire suspended after dressing up as Osama bin Laden at party