IFES Esports World Cup 2025 – Publisher Guide

Dear Publishers,
Welcome to the International Federation of Esports (IFES) Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025—an unparalleled celebration of competitive gaming that unites players, publishers, and fans from over 100 nations. This isn’t just another tournament; it’s a global movement, a historic inaugural event launching in September 2025, poised to redefine esports with 20 unique categories, an innovative auction-based onboarding process, and a stage that spans the digital and physical world. This Publisher Guide is your comprehensive roadmap to seizing this extraordinary opportunity and cementing your place in esports history.

Overview: IFES Esports World Cup 2025

The IFES Esports World Cup 2025 is a 6-week global festival (SEP 2025) that crowns champions across 20 diverse esports categories—from the adrenaline-fueled chaos of First-Person Shooters (FPS) to the strategic brilliance of Chess and the cutting-edge frontier of VR Innovate. Hosted by IFES, this event begins with online qualifiers across 100+ countries, building momentum toward a hybrid grand finale that blends virtual spectacle with in-person excitement. Our mission is bold and clear: to empower every gamer, connect cultures through competition, and elevate esports to unprecedented heights.

Key Highlights

• Global Scale: Qualifiers ignite in over 100 nations, engaging millions of players and viewers worldwide.
• 20 Unique Categories: Each genre features its own tournament and prize pool, showcasing the full spectrum of esports talent.
• Event Format: Online qualifiers (May-July 2025) lead to a hybrid main event, combining global online broadcasts with an electrifying in-person finale.

This is your chance to position your game at the heart of a worldwide phenomenon.

Publisher Eligibility: Your Path to Participation

To join the IFES EWC 2025, your game and company must meet the following criteria. These standards ensure a vibrant, fair, and globally inclusive competition:

1. Game Eligibility

• Release Status: Your title must be fully released (or in open beta) by March 1, 2025, with an active and engaged player base.
• Category Fit: It must align with one of the 20 IFES-defined categories (e.g., MOBA, Fighting Games, Motorsport). See the full list under “Auction Process.”
• Competitive Design: The game should support structured competitive play, such as matchmaking, scoring systems, or tournament-ready modes.

2. Global Accessibility

• Language & Regions: Available in at least 5 languages or regions, with a scalable plan to support qualifiers across 100+ countries.
• Platform Compatibility: Accessible on widely used platforms (PC, console, mobile—or any combination) to maximize inclusivity.

3. Publisher Commitment

• Registration Fee: A non-refundable $10,000 fee, payable upon registration, which is credited toward your winning bid.
• Collaboration: Willingness to partner with IFES on qualifier logistics, branding integration, and promotional efforts.
• Policy Adherence: Agreement to IFES’s anti-cheat measures, fair play standards, and diversity initiatives.

4. Community Engagement

• Esports Potential: Demonstrated competitive viability (e.g., existing tournaments, a passionate fan base, or an active esports scene).
• Event Integration: Readiness to incorporate IFES EWC branding (e.g., in-game events, skins, or banners) to amplify the event’s reach.

Meeting these criteria positions your game as a cornerstone of the IFES EWC 2025, ready to shine on a global stage.