In a remarkable blend of traditional sports and the burgeoning world of esports, football legend Cristiano Ronaldo attended the finals of the inaugural Esports World Cup in Riyadh. The event, which concluded on Sunday under the presence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marked a significant milestone in the esports industry.
Ronaldo, who was seen alongside the Crown Prince, took to social media to express his excitement about the event. He tweeted, "An unforgettable night for esports! What an honour to witness the vision becoming a reality, celebrating all sports. Congrats to @FalconsEsport."
The Esports World Cup, held over eight weeks, was the largest event in esports history, with a staggering prize pool of over $60 million. It attracted around 500 teams and 1,500 professional players from all over the world, all converging in Riyadh to compete in various tournaments. This monumental event set new benchmarks in the esports landscape, showing the rapid growth and increasing mainstream acceptance of competitive gaming.
Falcon Esports dominated the inaugural World Cup
The highlight of the evening was the crowning of Saudi Arabia’s Team Falcons as the champions of the Esports World Cup 2024. The Falcons, who dominated the competition with 5,665 points across 12 tournaments, including first-place finishes in "Call of Duty: Warzone" and "Free Fire," secured $7 million in prize money.
Beyond the competition, the Esports World Cup set record-breaking milestones in viewership and attendance. The event attracted over two million visitors, contributing to a 29% increase in visitors to Riyadh during the event period compared to the previous year. With over 500 million viewers and 250 million hours watched, the Esports World Cup set a new global record for this year, solidifying its place in esports history.
Here are some fan reactions to Ronaldo’s attention to Esports –
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