Esports World Cup Teams With IMG To Launch Global Broadcast Series EWC Spotlight

The Esports World Cup Foundation has joined forces with global sports marketing agency IMG to launch “EWC Spotlight,” a broadcast series designed to bring esports to new audiences worldwide with a fusion of competitive gaming, entertainment, and pop culture.

The weekly two-hour show will air live every Friday through Sunday during Esports World Cup Championship weekends from a state-of-the-art studio in Riyadhs Boulevard City, offering fans around the globe exclusive access to the EWCs biggest moments. The series premieres Thursday, July 10, with a special episode featuring a live performance by Post Malone during the tournaments opening ceremony.

Hosted by Hugh Woozencroft and Rachel Stringer, “EWC Spotlight” will welcome more than 60 celebrity guests throughout the summer, showcasing behind-the-scenes content, esports highlights, lifestyle features, and interactive segments. The Esports World Cup is currently underway in Riyadh and runs through August 24.

“With ‘EWC Spotlight’, were 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 will provide production, content strategy, and global rights management for the Esports World Cups 2025 tournament, including more than 50 hours of original programming. The agency has also collaborated with EWC to distribute content internationally via SNTV, a joint venture between IMG and The Associated Press, and Story10, a sports video distribution agency.

“EWC Spotlight” will be broadcast in English and distributed globally through a lineup of media partners including Fox Sports (U.S.), DAZN (16 countries), beIN/TOD (MENA), Channel 7 (Australia), TRT (Turkey), Astro (Malaysia), and DirecTV (LatAm), among others. The series is expected to reach more than 250 million viewers worldwide.

“The Esports World Cup is as big as it gets for gaming fans and were excited to help bring the tournament to fans across the globe through unmissable and headline-grabbing programming,” said Barney Francis, EVP, Studios, IMG. “Combining IMGs 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 favorite teams and personalities battle it out on a world stage.”

The 2025 Esports World Cup features 25 tournaments across 24 games, with more than 2,000 players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries competing for a record-breaking $70 million prize pool. New to this years lineup is chess, with five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen participating as both a competitor and Global Ambassador. Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo also joins as a Global Ambassador, further bridging the gap between traditional sports and esports.