This year, a new tournament has emerged on the professional scene — the Esports World Cup 2025. The organizers announced an off-season event with a prize pool of $1,250,000, intended for partner teams but not affiliated with the official Riot Games league. We have prepared a tier list of participants for the upcoming tournament for you. The teams are ranked from weakest to strongest at this event.

C Tier

Karmine Corp

Finalists of the EWC 2025: EMEA Qualifier, but had a weak performance in the VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 1, finishing in 7-8 place. The team has yet to reach a competitive level with the top teams, making many tactical and individual mistakes.

100 Thieves

Finalists of the EWC 2025: Americas Qualifier, but failed to qualify for Masters, finishing 5-6 place at VCT 2025: Americas Stage 1. Despite having individually strong players, the team struggled under pressure in key matches. They lacked stability and team synergy to establish themselves on the international stage.

Titan Esports Club

A dark horse with an unsuccessful performance in VCT 2025: China Stage 1. However, they managed to defeat Wolves Esports in the EWC qualifiers, who later secured 3rd place at the VALORANT Masters Toronto 2025, indicating the team's hidden potential.

Bilibili Gaming

Finalists of VCT 2025: China Stage 1, finishing 9-10 place at Masters Toronto. The team reached the world tournament but was unprepared for the level of competition. Their execution in key matches let them down at crucial moments, and they couldn't challenge the top teams.

B Tier

NRG

Winners of the Americas Qualifier, but their 7-8 place at Masters Toronto reflected their issues with top-tier opponents. The team can dominate in the region, but on the global stage, they need to improve team chemistry and performance in decisive moments. NRG remains a team with great potential for the future.

BBL Esports

Winners of the EMEA Qualifier. The team performed well in the qualifiers but made too many mistakes against the strongest regional teams. BBL currently lacks the composure and cohesion needed at the top level.

Team Heretics

Finalists of VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 1 and participants in Masters Toronto, where they couldn't progress far, finishing in 9-10 place. Despite having a strong lineup and smart strategies, Heretics couldn't realize their potential on the world stage this year. They clearly need more stability in key series.

Edward Gaming

Winners of the China Evolution Series Act 2, champions of VALORANT Champions 2024. EDG didn't perform their best on the home scene this year, although they managed to secure third place at the VALORANT Masters Bangkok 2025. They lacked the game density to secure a higher position.

XLG Esports

Winners of VCT 2025: China Stage 1, debutants at Masters Toronto, where they finished 7-8 place. The team managed to challenge certain opponents but overall struggled in matches against top teams. XLG currently lacks international experience and strategic versatility.

A Tier

Rex Regum Qeon

Champions of VCT 2025: Pacific Stage 1, but their 7-8 place at Masters Toronto reflected difficulties adapting to the style of world-class teams. The team was the season's revelation in the region and impressed with their tactical developments. At Masters, they showed character, but lacked experience against the world's strongest teams.

DRX

DRX finished VCT 2025: Pacific Stage 1 in 4th place and 2nd in the ACL 2025: EWC Pacific Qualifier. They remain a dangerous team with rich international experience, but this season their results have yet to meet expectations. DRX lacked fresh ideas and precise execution in crucial matches.

Sentinels

Second place at VCT 2025: Americas Stage 1 and 5-6 place at Masters Toronto. Sentinels this year maintained last year's stability, demonstrating a high level both on the home and international scenes.

Gen.G Esports

Finalists of VCT 2025: Pacific Stage 1 and playoff participants at Masters Toronto, finishing 5-6 place. Gen.G possesses excellent team synergy and strong potential, but has yet to show extraordinary gameplay that could elevate the team further.

S Tier

G2 Esports

Winners of VCT 2025: Americas Stage 1 and 4th place at Masters Toronto. G2 has been a favorite for championships both at home and abroad since 2024. This year, the team not only maintained their level of play but even improved it.

Fnatic

Fnatic became champions of VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 1 and finalists of Masters Toronto, confirming their reputation as one of the most balanced teams. Despite a rough start at VCT 2025: EMEA Kickoff, the team managed to recover during Stage 1. The replacement of two players clearly benefited them: it not only changed gameplay but also strengthened the team's mental aspect.

Paper Rex

Champions of Masters Toronto and 3rd place at VCT 2025: Pacific Stage 1. Despite a rough start this year due to a lack of strategies and player preparedness, PRX managed to overcome difficulties. In the grand finals of Masters Toronto, the team looked significantly stronger than their opponent, but this is clearly not the limit for this team.

The Esports World Cup 2025 will take place from July 8 to 13 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During the event, 16 teams, four from each region, will compete for a prize pool of $1,250,000. You can find detailed information and match schedules via this link.