ESPORTS WORLD CUP: BEST EWC EVENTS TO WATCH
The Esports World Cup 2024 is the biggest esports event of all time. With 22 tournaments across 21 different games, this is going to be a little overwhelming to new fans or those tuning in for the very first time. So if you’re a little lost, here are the best EWC events to watch in July and August!
The world of esports is vast and can be a little overwhelming. There are a lot of different types of games to choose from depending on what you like. They require an intense amount of skill and practice to reach the top levels of play but watching them is a lot of fun. Our list features the most popular esports in the world to help you narrow down the choices.
BEST EWC EVENTS TO WATCH
1. DOTA 2 RIYADH MASTERS
Credit: Dota 2
Dates: July 3rd – 21st
Prize pool: $5 million
Where to watch: EWC_Dota2 on Twitch
Dota 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) and is one of the most popular esports in the world. The 3 week tournament has players fighting it out for the largest Esports World Cup prize pool at $5 million.
Dota certainly takes some getting used to and probably isn’t the best choice for first time esports fans. It’s a fiercely complicated game where 2 teams of 5 players each select a hero from a pool of 124 and compete to destroy the other team’s Ancient, located in diagonal corners of the map.
You’ll need to put some work into understanding how to play Dota 2 but it’s exciting play makes it one of the best EWC events on the roster. If you’ve ever tried games such as League of Legends, Heroes of the Storm or even Pokemon Unite, you won’t have too much trouble getting to grips with it.
From the ESL Pro Tour to the 3 Major tournaments to The International, Dota has got a packed calendar every year. The game is still actively updated by Valve and has a significant amount of Dota players logging in every day.
2. COUNTER-STRIKE 2
Credit: Daniel Morris
Dates: July 17th – 21st
Prize pool: $1 million
Where to watch: EWC on Twitch
Counter-Strike 2 is the 2023 evolution of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. This first person shooter game is very easy to understand but very hard to master, climbing the CS2 ranks is no mean feat. Having said that, CS frequently tops the list of most played games on Steam and has one of the largest esports audiences of any game out there.
If you’re the kind of gamer who loves watching satisfying headshots, fast paced team fights and heart attack inducing rounds, CS might be the game for you. In this game, 2 teams of 5 players will compete to win a best of 12 rounds. They’ll each take a turn on the T side and CT side, with their aim being to either plant a bomb and have it detonate or defuse the bomb before it can go off.
This is going to be one of the best EWC events to watch because the teams attending are some of the best in the world from Copenhagen Major winners NaVi, to IEM Katowice champions Team Spirit, we’re going to have some amazing play.
3. FORTNITE
Source: Epic Games, screenshot esports.net
Dates: August 8th – 11th
Prize pool: $1 million
Where to watch: EWC on Twitch
If you’ve been around in gaming for the last few years, you’ve almost certainly heard of Fortnite. This game is a little different to others on our list because it’s a battle royale. This means that teams must work to eliminate all other players on the map in order to win the Victory Royale.
Fortnite is perhaps the most changeable game in the esports world simply because of the sheer volume of content. Almost every week there are new skins and the list of all Fortnite collabs is about as long as my arm. New chapters and seasons frequently introduce new weapons, mechanics and maps, making it a really exciting game to follow.
But why is Fortnite one of the best EWC events? The gameplay is fast and comparatively simple to follow, even for brand new esports fan. The best Fortnite players have real skill when it comes to landing headshots from a long way away but if you’re looking for something that won’t make your brain leak out, Fortnite might be for you.
4. ROCKET LEAGUE
Image credit: SpookyLuke @ YouTube
Dates: August 22nd – 25th
Prize pool: $500,000
Where to watch: EWC on Twitch
Last but certainly not least on the list of best EWC events is Rocket League. This is a truly unique esport, there really aren’t any other games like it. In Rocket League, teams of 3 players essentially play a game of soccer while driving high powered cars that can fly. Easy, right?
Rocket League has a broad appeal since it’s perhaps the most accessible game on the list. Again, it’s easy to understand but the best Rocket League players have real skill when it comes to controlling the ball and scoring goals.
Rocket League also has a thriving esports scene, with the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) featuring 2 Majors and a World Championship every year. The games are relatively short and you won’t be locked in for hours like you might be in Dota. So if you’re interested in fast-paced fun that you can just sit back and enjoy, we’d highly recommend Rocket League.