The Esports World Cup has come under scrutiny for failing to compensate players, production workers, and on-screen talent for its 2024 event. Reports indicate that a significant number of individuals and teams are still awaiting prize money, service payments, and salaries months after the tournament concluded.
Unpaid Winnings and Delayed Salaries Spark Concerns
Sources have revealed that payments remain outstanding across multiple games, including Apex Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Tekken, and PUBG Mobile. Despite the tournament boasting a massive $60 million prize pool, many players and staff have yet to receive their earnings.
Held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 3 to August 25, the 2024 Esports World Cup was celebrated as one of the most significant esports events in history. The competition was managed by the Esports World Cup Foundation, a non-profit entity backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and other subsidiaries, including SAVVY Games Group. However, nearly six months later, multiple teams and workers claim they have not been paid for their participation and services.
Apex Legends, Mobile Legends, and Tekken Among Affected Games
Apex Legends was one of the key titles in the tournament, featuring a $2 million prize pool. Each of the 40 competing teams was entitled to a share of the winnings, but reports confirm that many players are still waiting for their payments.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang had an even larger prize pool of $3 million, with the winning team promised a significant portion. However, sources indicate that multiple teams have not received their earnings. Additionally, Moonton, the game’s publisher, allegedly pressured affected parties to remain silent about the missing funds.
In the cases of PUBG Mobile and Tekken, individuals within these competitive scenes have also reported a lack of payment from the Esports World Cup. While some participants from other games have received full or partial payments, these titles have been left in limbo, raising concerns about favoritism in the payout process.
Uneven Payment Distribution Raises Further Questions
Insiders claim that payment delays have not been uniform across all games. Titles with larger and more vocal communities appear to have been prioritized, leaving smaller scenes struggling to receive compensation. Similarly, top-tier teams and talent seem to have been paid ahead of lesser-known participants.
Further complicating the issue is the involvement of multiple entities in handling payments. Affected individuals point to the Esports World Cup Foundation, SAVVY Games Group, and ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) as responsible parties. EFG, a subsidiary of the PIF-backed SAVVY Games Group, has continued running tournaments and managing prize pools post-event, but contractors have described a culture of delayed payments, with requests for updates often met with silence or vague responses.
Many affected individuals have chosen to remain anonymous, fearing professional repercussions if they speak out. Despite their frustrations, many still hope to secure work for the 2025 edition of the Esports World Cup, highlighting the precarious nature of employment within the industry.
Esports World Cup Addresses Non-Payment Allegations
In response to inquiries, the Esports World Cup Foundation issued a statement addressing the payment delays:
“Over 99% of the payments have already been paid, including $60 million of the total prize pool for over 400 participating teams in various jurisdictions and financial systems. We are working with all involved parties to finalize the remaining transactions as quickly as possible, but while the overwhelming majority of payments have been processed, minor delays can occasionally occur due to bank processing times, administrative checks, or recipient verification. The Esports World Cup remains fully committed to ensuring all payments to our talent, production partners, Clubs, and players are completed, as we continue to support the growth of the esports ecosystem globally and work towards its long-term sustainability.”
Following this statement, some affected individuals confirmed that payments had begun to be processed. However, others report that they have yet to receive any compensation or a clear timeline for when they can expect their funds.
The Future of the Esports World Cup Amid Controversy
With the 2025 edition set to feature 25 titles and another multimillion-dollar prize pool, the Esports World Cup remains an attractive opportunity for esports professionals. The event continues to provide thousands of jobs and offers lucrative prizes, making it difficult for players, staff, and organizations to walk away despite payment concerns.
Spanning almost a quarter of the esports calendar, the EWC dominates the competitive scene, leaving little room for alternative opportunities. While it has been hailed as a financial powerhouse capable of sustaining the eSports industry, these ongoing payment issues cast doubt on its long-term reliability.
