TLDR
- Team Orchids’ Hambino withdraws from ALGS Midseason Playoffs at Esports World Cup due to Saudi Arabia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws and personal safety concerns
- EA forces Apex Legends players to compete in Saudi Arabia by integrating the tournament into the official ALGS circuit for Championship Points
- Esports World Cup 2025 features record $70 million prize pool and 25 tournaments across 24 games from July 7-August 24 in Riyadh
- New Prime Video documentary “Esports World Cup: Level Up” premieres, showing behind-the-scenes footage from the 2024 tournament
- Controversy grows as multiple gaming communities question participation in Saudi-hosted events due to human rights concerns
The Esports World Cup has drawn renewed controversy as professional players withdraw from competitions due to concerns about Saudi Arabia’s laws and policies. The tournament, set to feature a record $70 million prize pool this summer, faces growing pushback from gaming communities worldwide.
Team Orchids’ Hambino announced their withdrawal from the Apex Legends Global Series Midseason Playoffs less than 12 hours after qualifying. The player cited Saudi Arabia’s criminalization of homosexuality and transgender expression as reasons for not attending the tournament in Riyadh.
“It is illegal to be queer under Sharia law in Saudi Arabia,” Hambino told Esports News UK. “I very recently came out as trans, and I personally would not feel safe being in an environment surrounded by people in a country where they could legally murder someone like me.”
The withdrawal comes at a major cost to Hambino’s competitive career. Missing the tournament prevents them from earning Championship Points needed to qualify for the end-of-year Championship event.
Forced Participation Creates Dilemma
EA’s decision to integrate the ALGS Midseason Playoffs directly into the Esports World Cup has created a unique situation. Unlike other esports tournaments that remain separate entities, Apex Legends players must now compete in Saudi Arabia to earn points in their official competitive circuit.
The ALGS Year 5 calendar includes only three LAN tournaments. Players who skip the Saudi Arabia event lose crucial opportunities to accumulate Championship Points for the season finale.
“Due to EWC joining the ALGS, EA has given EWC the same rule set as any other LAN,” Hambino explained. “This means that travel is mandatory if you wish to compete in the LAN and earn Championship Points for playing.”
The forced integration has sparked debate about EA’s commitment to inclusive values. Apex Legends markets itself as an inclusive game featuring LGBTQ+ characters in its roster and storylines.
FURIA player Ryan Schlieve questioned EA’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights given the game’s inclusive marketing. The contradiction between the game’s values and tournament location has created tension within the competitive community.
Tournament Expansion Continues
Despite the controversy, the Esports World Cup continues to expand. The 2025 event will run from July 7 to August 24 at the new SEF Arena in Boulevard City, Riyadh.
The tournament features 25 competitions across 24 different games. New additions include Chess with grandmasters like Magnus Carlsen expected to participate, plus Valorant and Crossfire following a multi-year deal with Riot Games.
Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo serves as the tournament’s global ambassador. The event organizers have secured partnerships with major gaming companies including Riot Games and Chess.com.
About 200 clubs and 2,000 players from more than 100 countries are expected to participate. The Club Championship format requires teams to win at least one tournament and finish top eight in two additional events.
Documentary Spotlights Tournament Growth
Prime Video has launched “Esports World Cup: Level Up,” a five-part documentary series about the 2024 tournament. Emmy-winner R.J. Cutler directed the series, which follows players competing for more than $60 million in prize money.
The documentary releases new episodes weekly through July 4, when all five episodes become available for streaming. The series focuses on personal stories behind the competition rather than just gameplay footage.
“What drew me to the Esports World Cup was the compelling human stories unfolding within this high-stakes arena,” Cutler said. The documentary follows Team Falcons’ Warzone trio and other competitors facing rivalries and personal challenges.
Community Reactions Vary
Other gaming communities have also questioned participation in Saudi-hosted events. Geoguessr withdrew entirely from the competition following community backlash about the tournament’s location.
The controversy extends beyond individual player decisions to broader questions about esports governance. Years 3 and 4 of the ALGS featured EA-organized tournaments independent from other organizers.
EA has not announced plans for Year 6 of the ALGS competitive calendar. Players continue to speculate whether the company will maintain the Saudi Arabia partnership or return to independent tournament management.
Ticket prices for the 2025 event start at 999 Saudi riyals ($266) for weekly passes. The tournament venue spans 34,000 square meters with capacity for 2,200 spectators in the main arena.
The Esports World Cup 2025 will feature the largest prize pool in esports history at $70 million, with Team Falcons defending their Club Championship title from 2024.
