Esports World Cup Foundation Announces Partnership with IMG to Launch Flagship Broadcast Series EWC Spotlight
IMG (NYSE:TKO) has partnered with the Esports World Cup Foundation to launch 'EWC Spotlight,' a flagship broadcast series for the world's largest esports tournament. The tournament, running from July 7 to August 24, 2025 in Riyadh, features a record-breaking $70 million prize pool.
IMG will produce over 50 hours of programming, including a two-hour show airing Friday through Sunday during Championship weekends. The broadcast will reach a potential audience of over 250 million people through major networks like Fox Sports, DAZN, and beIN. The tournament encompasses 25 tournaments across 24 games, featuring 2,000 elite players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries.
IMG (NYSE:TKO) ha collaborato con la Esports World Cup Foundation per lanciare 'EWC Spotlight', una serie di trasmissioni di punta dedicata al più grande torneo di esports al mondo. Il torneo, che si svolgerà dal 7 luglio al 24 agosto 2025 a Riyadh, presenta un montepremi record di 70 milioni di dollari.
IMG produrrà oltre 50 ore di programmazione, inclusa una trasmissione di due ore in onda dal venerdì alla domenica durante i weekend dei Campionati. La trasmissione raggiungerà un pubblico potenziale di oltre 250 milioni di persone attraverso grandi network come Fox Sports, DAZN e beIN. Il torneo comprende 25 competizioni in 24 giochi, con la partecipazione di 2.000 giocatori d'élite e 200 club provenienti da più di 100 paesi.
IMG (NYSE:TKO) se ha asociado con la Esports World Cup Foundation para lanzar 'EWC Spotlight', una serie de transmisión principal para el torneo de esports más grande del mundo. El torneo, que se llevará a cabo del 7 de julio al 24 de agosto de 2025 en Riad, cuenta con un premio récord de 70 millones de dólares.
IMG producirá más de 50 horas de programación, incluyendo un programa de dos horas que se emitirá de viernes a domingo durante los fines de semana del campeonato. La transmisión llegará a una audiencia potencial de más de 250 millones de personas a través de grandes cadenas como Fox Sports, DAZN y beIN. El torneo abarca 25 torneos en 24 juegos, con la participación de 2,000 jugadores élite y 200 clubes de más de 100 países.
IMG (NYSE:TKO)는 Esports World Cup Foundation과 협력하여 세계 최대 규모의 e스포츠 대회를 위한 대표 방송 시리즈인 'EWC Spotlight'를 출시했습니다. 이 대회는 2025년 7월 7일부터 8월 24일까지 리야드에서 개최되며, 7천만 달러의 역대 최대 상금을 자랑합니다.
IMG는 50시간 이상의 프로그램을 제작하며, 챔피언십 주말 동안 금요일부터 일요일까지 매일 2시간씩 방송됩니다. 이 방송은 Fox Sports, DAZN, beIN 등 주요 네트워크를 통해 2억 5천만 명 이상의 잠재 시청자에게 도달할 예정입니다. 대회는 24개 게임에서 25개 토너먼트를 포함하며, 100개국 이상에서 온 2,000명의 엘리트 선수와 200개 클럽이 참가합니다.
IMG (NYSE:TKO) s'est associé à la Esports World Cup Foundation pour lancer 'EWC Spotlight', une série de diffusion phare pour le plus grand tournoi d'esports au monde. Le tournoi, qui se déroulera du 7 juillet au 24 août 2025 à Riyad, propose un prize pool record de 70 millions de dollars.
IMG produira plus de 50 heures de programmation, incluant une émission de deux heures diffusée du vendredi au dimanche pendant les week-ends du championnat. La diffusion atteindra un public potentiel de plus de 250 millions de personnes via des réseaux majeurs tels que Fox Sports, DAZN et beIN. Le tournoi comprend 25 compétitions réparties sur 24 jeux, réunissant 2 000 joueurs d'élite et 200 clubs provenant de plus de 100 pays.
IMG (NYSE:TKO) hat sich mit der Esports World Cup Foundation zusammengetan, um 'EWC Spotlight', eine Flaggschiff-Broadcast-Serie für das weltweit größte Esports-Turnier, zu starten. Das Turnier findet vom 7. Juli bis 24. August 2025 in Riad statt und verfügt über einen rekordverdächtigen Preisfonds von 70 Millionen US-Dollar.
IMG wird über 50 Stunden Programm produzieren, darunter eine zweistündige Sendung, die freitags bis sonntags während der Meisterschaftswochenenden ausgestrahlt wird. Die Übertragung erreicht potenziell ein Publikum von über 250 Millionen Menschen über große Netzwerke wie Fox Sports, DAZN und beIN. Das Turnier umfasst 25 Turniere in 24 Spielen mit 2.000 Elite-Spielern und 200 Clubs aus über 100 Ländern.
- Partnership with IMG provides premium broadcast production and global distribution reach
- Largest prize pool in esports history at $70 million
- Potential audience reach of over 250 million people through major broadcasting networks
- Strategic partnerships with high-profile ambassadors including Magnus Carlsen and Cristiano Ronaldo
- None.
Insights
TKO's IMG secures major esports content deal with global distribution potential reaching 250M viewers across premium networks.
IMG's partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation represents a significant content acquisition that strategically positions TKO in the rapidly expanding esports market. This deal includes producing over 50 hours of premium content including the flagship 'EWC Spotlight' program and an original documentary, showcasing IMG's full-service capabilities spanning production, distribution, and rights management.
The distribution strategy is particularly impressive, leveraging IMG's SNTV joint venture with The Associated Press to secure placement on major networks including Fox Sports (US), DAZN (16 countries), beIN (MENA), and numerous regional broadcasters across Asia, Latin America, and Europe. This comprehensive network provides access to a potential audience exceeding 250 million viewers.
The content strategy intelligently bridges traditional entertainment and esports by featuring celebrities, musical performances (starting with Post Malone), and sports personalities, creating entry points for mainstream audiences. This approach aligns with the broader convergence trend between traditional sports, entertainment, and gaming.
For TKO, this deal builds on IMG's growing esports portfolio, where they've previously managed media rights and partnerships for organizations including EA Sports, Epic Games, and Riot Games. The Esports World Cup itself features a $70 million prize pool (the largest in esports history), 2,000 professional players, and 200 clubs from over 100 countries, making it a premier property in the competitive gaming landscape.
The inclusion of chess champion Magnus Carlsen and football star Cristiano Ronaldo as ambassadors further enhances the mainstream appeal and potential viewership, expanding the commercial opportunities beyond core gaming audiences.
Live from the Esports World Cup in
entertainment and pop culture to captivate global audiences
Premieres Thursday, July 10 with live performance by Post Malone
at EWC 2025 Opening Ceremony
The agreement will see IMG provide premium broadcast production, content strategy, global rights management, and international distribution via SNTV, a joint venture between IMG and The Associated Press, for the Esports World Cup 2025. Throughout the tournament, IMG will create and produce over 50 hours of programming, covering the thrilling live esports action, as well as digital and social content, and an original documentary showcasing the biggest teams in the competition.
This includes an action-packed two-hour show, 'EWC Spotlight,' that will be produced live Friday through Sunday every Championship weekend from a custom-built studio in the heart of Boulevard City,
EWC Spotlight kicks off with a special premiere on Thursday, July 10, including a live performance by superstar entertainer Post Malone, as the Esports World Cup 2025 gets underway with the Opening Ceremony. Hosted by Hugh Woozencroft and Rachel Stringer, EWC Spotlight will welcome more than 60 high-profile celebrity, entertainment and sports guests throughout the summer, solidifying the show as the cultural heartbeat of the Esports World Cup for fans around the world.
"With EWC Spotlight, we're creating a new gateway into esports, not just for the millions already engaged, but for the billions yet to discover their passion for competitive gaming," said Ralf Reichert, CEO, Esports World Cup Foundation. "By blending elite competition, mainstream entertainment, and cultural storytelling, we're breaking barriers between esports and traditional media. Partnering with IMG, a global leader in sports production and content, allows us to show the world what esports truly represents: an evolution in global entertainment, sports, and culture."
IMG has also worked with EWC to develop an international distribution strategy for the tournament's programming and will leverage its network of global media experts to manage the content worldwide. In addition, EWC has appointed SNTV to distribute daily content of the tournament to global broadcasters and media partners via its sports video production and distribution agency, Story10.
Captured using state-of-the-art studio cameras, wire-cams and augmented reality (AR) capabilities, EWC Spotlight's English-language broadcast will be available exclusively to select media partners globally, reaching a potential audience of over 250 million people.
The show will be available for fans to watch around the world on Fox Sports (
Barney Francis, EVP, Studios, IMG, said: "The Esports World Cup is as big as it gets for gaming fans and we're excited to help bring the tournament to fans across the globe through unmissable and headline-grabbing programming. Combining IMG's premium production capabilities and creativity with our team of global media experts and strategists, this partnership enables us to provide an elevated viewer experience for fans worldwide, as they watch their favourite teams and personalities battle it out on a world stage."
The Esports World Cup is the world's largest professional esports event, uniting global gaming communities in a celebration of esports culture. With 25 tournaments across 24 games, 2,000 elite players, and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries, the EWC will feature the largest prize pool in esports history, over
For the first time, EWC will feature chess, with five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen serving as both competitor and official Global Ambassador. Additionally, football icon Cristiano Ronaldo joins as a Global Ambassador, further strengthening connections between esports and traditional sports.
IMG works with some of the world's leading esports organisations, providing media rights representation, brand partnerships and strategic advisory services, as well as digital and production services. To date, IMG has managed the media rights and brand partnerships for more than 20 globally recognised esports events, including EA Sports, BLAST, Epic Games, PGL Esports, Riot Games, the International Olympic Committee and the Global Esports Games.
IMG has also produced innovative programming for some of the world's biggest sports leagues and competitions, including the viral sensation 'UCL Today' for CBS, Ligue de Football Professionnel's (LFP) 'Ligue 1 Show', Premier League Productions' 'The Kelly and Wrighty' show, and the 'English Football League Highlights' show for ITV.
About Esports World Cup
The Esports World Cup (EWC) is a premier annual sporting event and global celebration of competitive excellence and esports fandom. The competition features a unique cross-game format that pits the world's top esports Clubs against one another for the largest prize pool in esports history. Returning to
About IMG
IMG is a leading global sports marketing agency, specializing in media rights management and sales, multi-channel content production and distribution, brand partnerships, strategic consulting, digital services, and events management. It powers growth of revenues, fanbases and IP for more than 200 federations, associations, events, and teams, including the National Football League, English Premier League, International Olympic Committee, National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, ATP and WTA Tours, the AELTC (Wimbledon), Euroleague Basketball, CONMEBOL, DP World Tour, and The R&A, as well as UFC, WWE, and PBR. IMG is a subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company.
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SOURCE Esports World Cup Foundation
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