The Esports World Cup (EWC) is underway in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking its second iteration.
Over the next seven weeks, elite teams from across the globe will engage in fierce competition across a diverse range of 25 titles, including prominent games like Call of Duty, League of Legends, and EA Sports FC (EA FC).
A substantial prize pool of $70 million (£50 million) is at stake.
While individual and team prizes are offered, participants compete under the banners of professional esports organizations rather than representing their respective countries.
Many competitors are affiliated with leading organizations such as Team Liquid, a prominent force in the esports landscape.
BBC Newsbeat gained exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Team Liquid’s headquarters, seeking to understand the significance of the EWC for the organization and their perspective on participating in the controversial event.
Nestled in Utrecht, Netherlands, Team Liquid’s base functions as a multifaceted space, encompassing office facilities, a video game arcade, and upscale accommodation for its members.
The facility features dedicated rooms for team members to engage in head-to-head or online competitions, along with streaming booths for live broadcasts to their Twitch followers.
Many of Team Liquid’s top players reside and train within the building, benefiting from an on-site chef who prepares three daily meals designed to optimize concentration and reaction times.
Given the blurred lines between work and play, team members dedicate approximately eight hours per day to rigorous training in preparation for major competitions, as reported by Newsbeat.
Among these dedicated players is Levi de Weerd.
Like many others, he developed a passion for EA FC (formerly known as Fifa) during his childhood.
Now, at 21 years old, he has transformed his passion into a career, competing against the world’s best players.
He credits his membership in Team Liquid with providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and experienced coaching staff.
“We have a gameplay coach, we’re analysing games from tournaments in the past and in friendly games where we try things out. We have performance coaches and mental coaches too,” he says.
He emphasizes the importance of a cohesive environment, stating that physical proximity fosters collaboration and synergy.
“I think it’s important to have a good environment with coaches, with players and staff to get a good chemistry”, he says.
The EWC’s structure allows teams to recruit talent from around the world, transcending national boundaries.
YanYa, a member of Team Liquid’s Apex Legends squad, hails from Mexico.
He describes the EWC as “the best feeling in the world because you are playing the best players”.
“You get a lot of excitement. You get a lot of adrenaline,” he says.
Team Liquid aims to improve upon their performance from the previous year, where they finished second overall to Saudi-based Team Falcons.
However, YanYa remains unfazed by the pressure.
“I don’t feel pressure, I feel confident,” he says. “We’ve been practising a lot.”
Individual performance is a crucial component of the EWC, with substantial cash prizes awarded to winning players.
Additionally, the club championship recognizes the team that accumulates the most event victories overall, awarding a $7 million (£5 million) bonus.
A larger roster increases the chances of competing in more events, thereby enhancing the likelihood of securing the top prize.
Levi is a relatively new addition to Team Liquid, having joined when his former team was integrated into the organization.
Consolidation, marked by larger esports teams acquiring smaller ones, has become increasingly prevalent, driven by factors beyond prize money.
Several esports organizations have faced financial difficulties in recent years following a period of significant investment in the industry.
Victor Goosens, founder and co-CEO of Team Liquid, emphasizes the paramount importance of maintaining a steady revenue stream.
While prize money is not the sole determinant, Victor acknowledges the financial significance of the EWC for Team Liquid.
“It’s another source we can plan around and project our year for and that allows us to build the company and establish ourselves as a sustainable esports organization”, he says.
He affirms the team’s ambition to win the club championship after their second-place finish the previous year.
Victor concedes the necessity of participating in numerous events to secure the top spot, but emphasizes that “it’s not worth expanding if your core rosters aren’t already great”.
Attracting top talent is essential.
Consequently, when online chess was included as an event in this year’s Esports World Cup, Team Liquid recruited world-renowned grandmasters Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana.
Some esports enthusiasts have voiced criticism regarding teams participating in an event hosted and largely funded by Saudi Arabia.
The kingdom has faced accusations of human rights violations and maintains restrictive laws impacting women’s rights.
Like other Middle Eastern nations, it has been subject to scrutiny for its anti-LGBT laws, where homosexuality is punishable by death.
The kingdom’s substantial investments in sports, video games, and esports have been interpreted by critics as an attempt to enhance its public image.
This has generated considerable backlash.
Individual players have opted out of participation, such as Street Fighter 6 pro Chris CCH, who declined a spot at this year’s contest after qualifying via a partnered event.
However, acknowledging the increasing entanglement of esports with Saudi Arabia, he conceded that avoiding all Saudi-linked events would render it nearly impossible for him to continue competing.
Victor acknowledges the “sensitive and tricky situation to navigate” for Team Liquid, which has publicly advocated for gay rights.
“We’ve been very outspoken that we believe in esports for all,” says Victor.
“So there’s a contradiction. But we believe that if we want to be around in five or ten years’ time we need to play at the EWC.”
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The facility, in Sunderland, will host tournaments and help train the next generation of players.
Arkay is studying esports production at college in Nottingham and competing on a national stage.
Iford Academy is running an esports’ qualification to help engage students with special educational needs.
James Thomsen, who coaches people in League of Legends, says there are many roles in the industry.
The esports course serves as a starting point for learners who want a career in the sector.