The global stage is set for the highly anticipated Honor of Kings World Cup (KWC) 2025, officially kicking off today in Riyadh as part of this year’s Esports World Cup.
With a staggering $3 million prize pool on the line, the tournament is expected to be the most competitive and exciting edition yet.
For the first time in tournament history, two teams from China’s King Pro League (KPL) have been directly invited to participate: AG.AL and TT Global. These teams represent the KPL Spring Season and Asia Champions League (ACL) champions, respectively — bringing an extra edge to an already star-studded competition.
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Tournament format and key dates
Since the introduction of the Global Ban&Pick to Honor of Kings in 2025, regional leagues have seen more strategic and intense showdowns — now set to play a pivotal role in the World Cup. The updated format increases strategic complexity and ensures no two matches are alike.
Group Stage (July 15–19)
Sixteen teams from around the world will battle across four groups (A–D), each featuring a double-elimination format with best-of-three (Bo3) matches. Group winners advance to the Group Kings stage, while second-place teams head to the Last Chance qualifier.
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
Group Kings & Last Chance (July 20)
Last Chance: Runners-up from the group stage (A2 vs B2 and C2 vs D2) will compete in best-of-five (Bo5) matches. Winners proceed to the playoffs.
Group Kings: Group winners will face off in Bo3s (A1 vs B1 and C1 vs D1). Victors enter Playoffs Pool 1, while the losers and Last Chance winners fill out Pool 2.
Playoffs (July 23–26)
Eight elite teams — six from earlier rounds and the two invited KPL teams — will compete in a high-stakes single-elimination bracket. The grand finals on July 26 will feature a dramatic best-of-seven (Bo7) series using the “Ultimate Battle” draft mode.
In-game events and rewards
To celebrate the KWC, Honor of Kings is rolling out a range of in-game activities, including the debut of the first-ever esports-themed Honor Pass. From June 24 to August 28, players can access the Elite Pass for free and unlock a variety of exclusive rewards by completing missions.
Additional in-game features include team support voting and prediction quizzes, allowing fans to engage with the tournament beyond the screen.
With top-tier talent, innovative formats, and major stakes, the Honor of Kings World Cup 2025 is set to deliver unforgettable moments for the fans of the game.
