The summer in Saudi Arabia is especially scorching, but the heat this time comes not only from the weather — it’s from the upcoming global showdown at the EWC Arena 1 in Riyadh: the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Esports World Cup. This high-stakes tournament, bringing together 16 of the world’s top teams, will take place from July 24 to 27, with a total prize pool of USD 1.8 million, drawing the eyes of countless players and spectators around the world.
This isn’t the first time the Call of Duty series has appeared on the Esports World Cup stage. Last year’s Modern Warfare III event was a true visual and auditory feast, with FaZe Clan astonishing the audience to claim the championship. This year, they return once again, carrying the weight and glory of defending champions as they step onto a familiar yet even more challenging battlefield. Team captain Chris “Simp” Lehr admitted in an interview, “Of course there’s pressure, but we’ve been preparing for this all year.” He added with a smile that the team even flew to the Middle East two weeks early to adapt to the time zone, saying, “It feels like we’re going to the Olympics.”
This year’s lineup is nothing short of stellar. Alongside traditional powerhouses like OpTic Gaming and 100 Thieves are rising forces such as Luminosity Gaming and Koi, all eager to make their mark on this esports spectacle. Notably, three team slots are still up for grabs — to be decided through the upcoming Call of Duty Challengers Championship — adding an extra layer of suspense to the competition.
Like previous years, the tournament will use a group stage followed by knockout rounds. Sixteen teams are divided into four groups, each using a GSL double-elimination format with best-of-five (BO5) matches. The top two from each group will advance to the knockout stage, which will consist of a series of do-or-die battles until the final grand championship — a best-of-seven (BO7) showdown — crowns the true world champion.
Interestingly, this year’s format has reminded many veterans of the 2016 Black Ops III World Cup. Back then, a 19-year-old James “Clay” Douglas led an unheralded North American second-tier team all the way to the semifinals as dark horses. In his documentary, he recalled those days fondly: “We slept on an Airbnb couch, lived on instant pasta and Red Bull, and stayed up till 3 a.m.” Now part of the analyst team, his story continues to inspire a new generation of players chasing their esports dreams.
This year’s roster of teams is also notably diverse. North American giants FaZe Clan, OpTic Gaming, and 100 Thieves will once again renew their storied rivalries. European teams such as Heretics and G2 Esports arrive with fresh strategies and new rosters, while Cloud9, Gentle Mates, and Falcons — ranked 9th to 12th in the CDL regular season — aim to prove they’re far more than just background players.
The inclusion of Koi has sparked much discussion as well. Centered around Spanish players, this team may not be as well-known among North American fans, but they’ve performed impressively in European circuits. It’s akin to an English Premier League team facing off against a South American side in the Champions League — the clash of playstyles often produces electrifying surprises.
As for prize distribution, the champions will take home the largest share of prize money and ranking points, earning 1,000 Club Points — a symbol of prestige. These points not only impact global standings but also play a crucial role in future tournament qualifications. In other words, every single match could have long-term consequences for a team’s future.
The entire event will be broadcast live on the official BO6 EWC 2025 Twitch channel, allowing fans around the world to tune in. To accommodate time zone differences between North America and Europe, organizers have arranged multilingual commentary and post-match replays so fans can relive the highlights whenever convenient.
Notably, with the official launch of Black Ops 6, this year’s Esports World Cup could signal a new era in the Call of Duty competitive scene. From tactical systems to roster compositions, from weapon mechanics to map selection, this installment places a greater emphasis on teamwork and adaptability — testing each squad’s coordination and on-the-fly decision-making.
British player Tom “Scrappy” Llewellyn shared his preparation routine on social media: “I practice eight hours a day, and my coach makes me review last year’s VODs to analyze strategies. I’m even shouting callouts in my sleep.” He joked that it feels like attending a graduate school for esports.
Though the tournament has yet to begin, the smoke of battle has already quietly risen. From seasoned champions to rising underdogs, from tactical innovations to individual heroics, this Esports World Cup promises to be a spectacle for the ages. Who will rise above the rest? Will FaZe defend their crown, or will a new star team seize the throne? All the answers will be revealed this July in Riyadh.
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