The legendary mobile MOBA Honor of Kings is making a major comeback at the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC). As part of a newly signed three-year deal, the title will return this July to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for its biggest event yet—boasting a monumental $3 million USD prize pool.
With more teams than ever and fan-favorite squads like the Kings Pro League (KPL) champions returning, the stakes have never been higher.
Complete Breakdown of Tournament Format and Schedule
- Tournament Dates: July 15–26, 2025
- Competing Teams: 18 total
Group Stage
- 16 teams compete
- Four groups of four teams
- Double-elimination format
- Group winners advance directly to Playoffs
- Second-place finishers move to Last Chance bracket
- Matches follow a Best-of-3 (BO3) format
Last Chance Bracket
- 4 teams
- Single-elimination structure
- Matches are Best-of-5 (BO5)
- Top 2 teams secure Playoff spots
Playoffs (August 16)
- 8 total teams
- Includes group stage qualifiers, Last Chance victors
- Seeded KPL and Asian Champions League (ACL) champions
- Single-elimination bracket
- Matches are Best-of-7 (BO7)
- Third-place match uses Best-of-5 (BO5) format
Path to Qualification: Regional Tournaments
Several regional events and wildcard opportunities will determine which teams earn a shot at EWC 2025 glory:
- Indonesia League Spring – Top 3 teams qualify (ends June 1)
- Philippine League Spring – Top 3 teams (ends June 8)
- Malaysia League Spring – Top 3 teams (ends June 7)
- KPL – Top team qualified (concluded May 10)
- Wildcard Series – Winner advances (concluded May 25)
- CHOKBR Fall – Top 2 qualify (ends June 8)
- Major East & West – Winners from each region (concluded May 4)
- Major Last Call – Top team qualifies (concluded May 5)
- Asian Champions League (China) – Champion qualifies (held May 14–18)
- EWC Online Qualifier MENA – Top finisher advances (held May 21 & 23)
Prize Pool on the Line
- Total Pool: $3,000,000
- MVP Award: $10,000 bonus for the tournament’s most valuable player
Looking Back: KPL Dream Team’s 2024 Victory
Last year, the KPL Dream Team dominated the Honor of Kings Invitational Midseason x Esports World Cup in Riyadh. Representing China, they swept through the tournament, proving themselves unstoppable with a clean 5-0 record in the group stage and a flawless playoff run:
- Quarterfinals: Took down Impunity 2-0
- Semifinals: Shut out All Gamers Global 3-0
- Grand Finals: Swept LGD Gaming 3-0
Their clinical performance made them the undisputed champions of the 2024 EWC showdown. Follow their journey this year and join the countdown to the action-packed Esports World Cup 2025!
About Esports World Cup
The Esports World Cup stands as the globe’s top-tier esports championship, featuring a cross-title format where leading clubs face off. With the largest prize pool in competitive gaming, it draws elite talent from all corners of the industry. Set once again in Riyadh this summer, the EWC promises unforgettable matchups and fan-fueled excitement.
For more information about Esports World Cup, visit their official website. To be updated with the latest news, you can follow their social media: X (Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn.
