PUBG Esports World Cup 2025: Schedule, Teams, and $2M Prize Pool

The gaming world is buzzing as PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS returns to the global spotlight with its biggest stage yet — the PUBG Esports World Cup 2025, taking place from August 12 to 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This marks a major milestone not just for PUBG fans, but for the entire esports ecosystem, as part of the larger Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, a multi-title tournament featuring the world’s best players, jaw-dropping venues, and a staggering prize pool across various games.

At the heart of the excitement is PUBG’s massive $2 million prize pool, drawing in 24 elite teams from across the globe. These teams have fought their way through regional qualifiers or earned their place through direct invites, making this one of the most competitive and diverse PUBG events ever held. With regions like Korea, EMEA, Americas, and Asia-Pacific all represented, fans can expect intense action and unforgettable moments throughout the five-day tournament.

The venue, Riyadh Boulevard City, is being transformed into a digital battlefield, with state-of-the-art production, massive fan zones, and viewing parties planned to elevate the experience. Whether you're a hardcore player or a casual fan, there’s something thrilling about watching PUBG played at its highest level — especially when national pride, global rankings, and millions of dollars are on the line.

In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the PUBG Esports World Cup 2025: the full tournament schedule, the team lineup, the format, and how the impressive $2M prize pool will be distributed. We'll also compare the PC and Mobile versions of PUBG in this event, and highlight how countries like Pakistan are making their mark on the global stage.

PUBG Esports World Cup 2025 – Schedule & Format

Event Dates and Venue Details

Mark your calendars — the PUBG Esports World Cup 2025 is set to take place from August 12 to 16, right in the heart of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event is hosted at the iconic Riyadh Boulevard City, a futuristic hub built to host global esports titles with high-tech stages, audience seating, and immersive fan experiences. The entire city is expected to turn into a gaming festival, thanks to the broader Esports World Cup (EWC) atmosphere.

This 5-day showdown will feature back-to-back matches, fan meetups, interactive zones, and live performances — all designed to hype up the PUBG experience like never before. Whether you’re attending in person or watching online, the scale of production promises to be world-class, with live streams available on Twitch and YouTube via EWC and PUBG channels.

This is the first time PUBG is participating in the newly rebranded Esports World Cup, replacing what was formerly known as Gamers8. With Cristiano Ronaldo as the official ambassador, the EWC 2025 aims to blend gaming with global pop culture — and PUBG is front and center.

Tournament Structure Explained

The competition is broken down into two main phases:

1. Group Stage (August 12–14)

   • 24 teams will be divided into three groups of eight.

   • Teams will play across multiple maps in a round-robin style.

   • Based on their cumulative points, the top 16 teams will advance to the Grand Finals.

2. Grand Final (August 15–16)

   • These 16 teams will battle it out in a two-day final series.

   • Each day will include multiple matches across PUBG’s iconic battlegrounds like Erangel, Miramar, and Taego.

   • Final rankings will determine the prize share, championship titles, and global standings.

Points are awarded based on kill counts, placement rankings, and overall match strategy — rewarding both aggression and survival. This format ensures dynamic matches that keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Qualified Teams & Prize Pool Breakdown

Complete List of Participating Teams

A total of 24 top-tier teams from across the globe have qualified for the PUBG Esports World Cup 2025, representing the best from every region. These teams earned their spots through intense qualifiers or by direct invites based on past performance and global rankings.

Here’s a look at the regional distribution:

• Korea Region

  • Danawa e-sports

  • Gen.G

  • GNL ESPORTS

• EMEA Region (Europe, Middle East & Africa)

  • Twisted Minds

  • Acend Club

  • FaZe Clan

• Asia-Pacific (APAC) Region

  • Daytrade Gaming

  • eArena

  • Theerathon Five

• Americas Region (North & South America)

  • Soniqs

  • Wildcard Gaming

  • Team Falcons

• China Region

  • 17 Gaming

  • Petrichor Road

  • NewHappy

• Global Invite Teams

  • Natus Vincere (Na'Vi)

  • Four Angry Men (4AM)

  • ENCE

  • CERBERUS Esports

  • Virtus.pro

  • TakeMeAway Gaming

  • TYLOO

  • Exo Clan

  • iNFiNiTE Gaming

While no Pakistani team has officially qualified this year, the country remains a hotspot for PUBG Mobile fandom and talent. Expect strong community support and future representation in upcoming international events.

$2M Prize Pool & Distribution

The $2 million prize pool is one of the biggest ever offered for a PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS event. This prize will be distributed among the top 16 teams who make it to the Grand Finals.

Although the official prize breakdown hasn’t been fully revealed, past PUBG events suggest a format similar to this:

There may also be MVP awards and special bonuses for highest kill counts, longest survival, and more — keeping individual performance in the spotlight.

This format not only rewards top placements but ensures all finalists walk away with something, making every game a high-stakes showdown.

Conclusion

The PUBG Esports World Cup 2025 is more than just a tournament — it’s a global celebration of competitive gaming. With 24 of the world’s best teams, a $2 million prize pool, and a stunning venue in Riyadh, this event is set to redefine the future of PUBG esports.

As part of the massive Esports World Cup (EWC) initiative, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS returns to center stage alongside other popular titles, offering fans five days of nonstop, edge-of-your-seat action. From the group stages to the grand final, each match will showcase the highest levels of strategy, teamwork, and raw mechanical skill. Whether you're rooting for a fan-favorite like Gen.G or curious to see underdog teams shake up the leaderboard, there’s plenty of drama and excitement ahead.

For fans in Pakistan, while no national team has made the 2025 lineup, the passion and support for PUBG remain stronger than ever. With ongoing talent development and regional qualifiers, it’s only a matter of time before Pakistani squads rise to the top in future editions of this global showdown.

Don’t miss out! Tune in from August 12 to 16 via Twitch, YouTube, or the official Esports World Cup channels, and follow along as PUBG crowns its next world champion. Share your predictions, cheer for your favorite teams, and join millions of fans from around the globe in celebrating the return of elite-level battle royale.