With a $70M prize pool and 516K social mentions, the Esports World Cup (EWC) was not just a tournament. It was a stress test of how gaming, culture and communication intersect.
Our analysis of the social conversation shows:
TikTok and YouTube set the agenda: Together, they drove 64% of mentions, showing how short-form clips and official streams are reshaping event coverage.
Clubs, not just players, drove narratives: The points-based championship format and Team Falcons’ back-to-back win created a storyline of sustained dominance that resonated far beyond a single trophy.
Influencers extended reach: Figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, Magnus Carlsen and Arslan Ash were not side notes. They accounted for 43% of coverage and pulled esports into mainstream visibility.
Mobile titles dominated discussion: PUBG Mobile and Mobile Legends captured nearly half of all title-related mentions, a clear signal of where audience growth is happening.
Audience geography is shifting: While KSA and the US led the conversation, Brazil and other emerging regions cut into the dominance of traditional markets.
Game reputations diverged: Tekken 8 achieved 73% positive sentiment, largely thanks to broadcast clarity and Arslan Ash’s performance, while Counter-Strike 2 faced backlash over technical flaws.
The numbers point to an inflection. Esports is less about single champions and more about ecosystems. Platforms, clubs, influencers and sponsors each played a role in shaping how the event landed culturally.
Download the full report to explore how the event became a case study in global engagement.
Commentary
Esports World Cup 2025
Where Competition Met Conversation
With a $70M prize pool and 516K social mentions, the Esports World Cup (EWC) was not just a tournament. It was a stress test of how gaming, culture and communication intersect.
Our analysis of the social conversation shows:
TikTok and YouTube set the agenda: Together, they drove 64% of mentions, showing how short-form clips and official streams are reshaping event coverage.
Clubs, not just players, drove narratives: The points-based championship format and Team Falcons’ back-to-back win created a storyline of sustained dominance that resonated far beyond a single trophy.
Influencers extended reach: Figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, Magnus Carlsen and Arslan Ash were not side notes. They accounted for 43% of coverage and pulled esports into mainstream visibility.
Mobile titles dominated discussion: PUBG Mobile and Mobile Legends captured nearly half of all title-related mentions, a clear signal of where audience growth is happening.
Audience geography is shifting: While KSA and the US led the conversation, Brazil and other emerging regions cut into the dominance of traditional markets.
Game reputations diverged: Tekken 8 achieved 73% positive sentiment, largely thanks to broadcast clarity and Arslan Ash’s performance, while Counter-Strike 2 faced backlash over technical flaws.
The numbers point to an inflection. Esports is less about single champions and more about ecosystems. Platforms, clubs, influencers and sponsors each played a role in shaping how the event landed culturally.
Download the full report to explore how the event became a case study in global engagement.
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