After just 10 days of competition, the highs and lows of the Esports World Cup (EWC) are becoming apparent. This unprecedented event in the history of esports has not had the expected impact on the public, raising doubts about its repetition in the coming years.
A Grand Ambition: Origins and Objectives
The Esports World Cup was born in Saudi Arabia, with the ambitious goal of positioning it as the largest and most prominent project on the esports stage. With billions of dollars invested, an entire city dedicated to gaming, and hundreds of people working tirelessly to bring the event to life, the lack of expected support is evident in the number of viewers.
Financial Controversies
Despite featuring the most important disciplines in its schedule, the EWC has struggled to boost viewer numbers in its broadcasts. Recently, the League of Legends and CoD Warzone tournaments concluded, providing important metrics to confirm this issue.
The financial backing of the EWC, primarily from Saudi Arabia, has also sparked controversy. Critics have pointed out the country’s human rights record and other issues, leading to discontent within the esports community.
Viewer Discrepancies: League of Legends Comparison
Just days ago, the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), one of the most important international events in competitive League of Legends, concluded with over 3.1 million viewers throughout its duration. In contrast, the LoL tournament organized by the Esports World Cup only managed to attract a million viewers, highlighting a significant difference between the two competitions.
Possible Factors
While important differences such as time zone disparities, fewer participating teams, and shorter tournament durations might account for some of this discrepancy, the peak viewer difference is alarming to EWC organizers. They had hoped for viewership numbers comparable to the MSI.
Prestige and Reputation
The prestige of a tournament is crucial for its long-term success. Although the Esports World Cup is not a failure, its lack of global recognition and the criticism of its Saudi Arabian location have affected its reputation. The community questions whether Saudi money taints the tournament’s integrity.
Investment in Infrastructure
Despite the controversy, one of the EWC’s high points is the initiative to invest in infrastructure for participating clubs. This support is vital for the growth of organizations and the overall scene, highlighting the event’s ultimate goal of contributing to the growth of esports.
Future Uncertainty
As of now, there is no official confirmation regarding the future of the Esports World Cup. It remains unclear whether this event is here to stay as an annual fixture or if it was a one-time occurrence never to be repeated. The upcoming competitions and their viewer numbers will be crucial for the final decision.
Conclusion
The fate of the Esports World Cup hangs in the balance. In the coming years, we will need to watch closely to see if it evolves and establishes itself as a prestigious event.
Can it compete with the renowned IESF (International Esports Federation) World Championship? Only time will tell if this tournament has a bright future or if it will remain in the shadow of its more established competitors.