The Honor of Kings World Cup 2025 kicks off July 15th in Riyadh with 18 global teams, a $3M prize pool, and exciting in-game events. Here’s everything you need to know about its format, schedule, participants, and rewards.
The Honor of Kings World Cup (KWC) 2025 is set to electrify the global mobile esports scene this summer. As the game’s premier midseason international tournament, KWC 2025 will be held during the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, beginning July 15th. The competition features 18 elite teams from around the world battling for a share of the massive $3 million (~£2.2 million) prize pool.
Tournament Structure and Stages
KWC 2025 is structured into three main stages: the Group Stage, Group Kings & Last Chance, and the Playoffs. The format emphasizes strategy and fairness through its signature Global Ban and Pick system, ensuring a highly competitive playing field.
Group Stage (July 15–19):
16 of the 18 participating teams are split into four groups (A–D), each playing in a double-elimination bracket with best-of-three (BO3) matches.
- Group A: Blacklist International, BOOM Esports, Gen.G Esports, Paws Gaming
- Group B: Alpha7 Esports, Dominator Esports, Loops, Team Vitality
- Group C: Black Shrew Esports, Kagendra, Nova Esports, Twisted Minds
- Group D: ACT Esports Club, Alpha Gaming, Nongshim RedForce, OG Esports
Each group will send its winner to the Group Kings stage and its runner-up to the Last Chance stage.
Group Kings & Last Chance (July 20):
- Group Kings: The four group winners face off in two BO3 matches (A1 vs B1, C1 vs D1). Winners move into Pool 1 of the Playoffs; losers are placed into Pool 2.
- Last Chance: Group runners-up (A2 vs B2, C2 vs D2) compete in BO5 matches. The two winners proceed to the Playoffs.
Playoffs (July 23–26):
The Playoffs feature eight teams: the six from the Group Kings and Last Chance stages, plus AG.AL (KPL Spring Champions) and TT Global (ACL Champions). The Playoffs will follow a single-elimination format leading up to the Grand Finals on July 26, which will be a BO7 showdown using the ‘Ultimate Battle’ draft mode.
KWC 2025 In-Game Events and Rewards
Alongside the intense competition, KWC 2025 is being celebrated in-game with a range of special events. From June 24 to August 28, players can engage in the game’s first-ever esports-themed Honor Pass. This free Elite Pass offers numerous rewards as players complete missions and level up.
Key highlights include:
- Level 1 Reward: Nuwa – Syzygy Moonlight skin
- Level 80 Reward: Exclusive Alessio KWC skin
Additional fan engagement features include team support voting, quizzes, and match prediction activities, allowing fans to immerse themselves in the tournament experience.
Conclusion
With a star-studded lineup of teams, a strategic format, and immersive in-game experiences, the Honor of Kings World Cup 2025 promises to be one of the most exciting mobile esports events of the year. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the scene, there’s something for everyone in this high-stakes tournament.
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