Saudi esports teams rising to the occasion at Esports World Cup in Riyadh

Saudi teams have continued to enjoy success in front of the home crowds at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 12 August 2025
Follow

Saudi esports teams rising to the occasion at Esports World Cup in Riyadh

  • Strong performances from Team Falcons and Twisted Minds in front of home crowd highlight Saudi Arabia’s emergence on world stage

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s top esports teams have continued to make their mark on the global stage at the Esports World Cup 2025, with Team Falcons and Twisted Minds delivering standout victories in front of sold-out crowds at Boulevard Riyadh City.

Team Falcons recently stormed to victory in Overwatch 2, while Twisted Minds captured the Call of Duty: Warzone title in a dramatic grand final performance, adding crucial points to their Club Championship standings.

The Overwatch 2 competition showcased Saudi dominance, with all top-three places claimed by local teams.

Team Falcons defeated Al-Qadsiah Esports 4-0 in the final, their first title of the tournament. Twisted Minds claimed third place after a 3-1 victory over South Korea’s T1, highlighting the Kingdom’s depth of talent in the title.

Twisted Minds triumphed in the Call of Duty: Warzone tournament, lifting the trophy after an intense 10-game final. Along the way, they defeated top-seeded rivals, including last year’s champions and tournament favorites Team Falcons, who finished fifth overall.

Saudi teams have also earned podium finishes and top placements across a range of other competitions.

Team Falcons finished second in Dota 2 after a dominant path to the grand final, with victories over Team Liquid and Tundra Esports, before falling to Team Spirit.

In the inaugural Esports World Cup Chess tournament, Team Falcons’ Alireza Firouzja placed second behind Magnus Carlsen, while teammate Hikaru Nakamura took third.

ROC Esports delivered a historic result in Apex Legends, finishing second among 40 of the world’s best teams, and Twisted Minds reached the semifinals of Honor of Kings to claim fourth place.

In addition, Team Falcons secured sixth in Free Fire and 10th in PUBG Mobile, with fellow Saudi team POWR Esports finishing 12th in the latter.

With two weeks of competition remaining, the race for the Esports World Cup Club Championship is heating up.

Team Falcons sit in second place overall with 3,700 points behind leaders Team Liquid, while Twisted Minds have strengthened their standing with their Call of Duty victory, climbing to fifth place with 2,200 points.

The coming days will see Saudi teams compete in several more high-profile tournaments, with the potential to add to the Kingdom’s medal count and Club Championship points total.

Here are some of the events that will include Saudi teams before the end of the competition:

Rocket League: Saudi squads Team Falcons and Twisted Minds are targeting Esports World Cup glory, with Team Falcons looking to go one better after finishing as runners-up last year.

PUBG: Battlegrounds: Team Falcons and Twisted Minds are set to battle for success in the tournament.

Tekken 8: Team Falcons are entering with proven regional champions.

Teamfight Tactics: Falcons, POWR Esports, and Twisted Minds are all in action, with strong prospects for deep runs.

Counter-Strike 2: Team Falcons are aiming for redemption after previous close finishes.

Street Fighter 6: Team Falcons’ top fighters are expected to contend against the world’s best.

Crossfire: Team Falcons, Twisted Minds, and Al-Qadsiah will represent Saudi Arabia.


‘Influence across the region’: La Liga President Javier Tebas hails regional partnership with Strive

Updated 4 sec ago
Follow

‘Influence across the region’: La Liga President Javier Tebas hails regional partnership with Strive

  • Bahrain-based ports, media and entertainment company acquires 50% stake in La Liga MENA & South Asia

MADRID: La Liga and Strive Sports & Entertainment, a Bahrain-based sports, media and entertainment company, signed a partnership at the weekend to boost the Spanish league’s growth in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia markets.

Strive has acquired a 50 percent stake in La Liga MENA & South Asia, a company based regionally in Dubai for over 11 years.

Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, said in a statement the pact would “unlock new markets and opportunities, working hand in hand with a partner that brings strong professionalism, reputation, and influence across the region.”

Abdulla Al-Zain, chairman of Strive Sports & Entertainment, stated: “This partnership represents an important step in advancing Strive’s regional and global portfolio, and we look forward to the opportunities it will create.”

The company has 20 professionals based across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Egypt, Morocco, India, Jordan, and Turkiye.

The organization has over 40 partners and five football academies in the region, and a strategic consultancy agreement in Iraq.

La Liga has a total audience of over 500 million, and more than 55 million followers across regional social media channels.

Maite Ventura, MD of La Liga MENA & South Asia, added: “This agreement reinforces our long-term commitment to a region we view as essential to La Liga’s global growth.

“We aim to be closer to our fans, better understand their habits, and forge local alliances that will allow us to continue delivering sustainable value over time.”