The Esports World Cup 2025 is about to make history as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (BO6) joins the tournament for the very first time. With 16 teams, a massive $1.8 million prize pool, and weeks of intense roster changes, the stage is set for one of the most unpredictable and exciting competitions of the year.
From Modern Warfare III to Black Ops 6
This year marks a big shift for the Call of Duty competitive scene. EWC 2025 will follow a group stage format with four groups of four teams, leading into a high-stakes single-elimination bracket.
FaZe Clan enters the event as the reigning EWC champions, but their dominance looks shaky. After a tough run at their last championship and a switch from Modern Warfare III to Black Ops 6, they’ll need to prove they can adapt to the new meta in an already competitive field.
Teams to Watch: Favorites, Dark Horses, and Wild Cards
OpTic Gaming is drawing the most attention. They’re coming off a stellar performance at their last major, where they dropped only three maps. Interestingly, all those maps were taken by the Vancouver Surge, another strong contender at EWC 2025. Surge has made three grand final appearances this season, making them a serious threat.
Team Heretics is another team to keep an eye on. They’ve been consistently performing just outside the top spots all season, but this could be their breakthrough tournament.
Then there are the wild cards. Teams like G2 Esports, Gentle Mates, KOI, and Team Falcons have all made big roster changes since Champs. With a month of preparation, these lineups could surprise everyone. KOI in particular looks unpredictable but promising with its refreshed squad.
The group stage will also see some intriguing matchups. Project 7, who picked up the former OMIT Brooklyn roster, will face off against the main OMIT squad, one of the strongest Challengers teams in the field. This battle of old teammates could get heated as both teams fight for a playoff spot.
Every Challengers team competing here has one goal upset the giants and prove they belong among the elite.
Club Championship Stakes
For most teams, BO6 will only impact their individual standings. But for Team Falcons, the Saudi-based organization, this is more than just a Call of Duty event.
The Falcons are one of the few clubs competing across multiple titles at EWC 2025, making this tournament critical for their Club Championship hopes. After underperforming earlier in the event, this is their chance to climb the leaderboard on home soil in Riyadh.
When and Where to Watch
The group stage action kicks off on July 24 at 3 PM KSA time. Fans can watch live on official streaming platforms or even experience the event in person by securing tickets for the matches.
Also Read: China Aims For Esports Glory At The 2025 Esports World Cup
