By Sagar V. Mankar The International Esports Federation (IESF) is gearing up for the 16th edition of its prestigious World Esports Championship, with a rise in the prize pool and countries’ representations.
This time, the action is heading to the heart of the Middle East as Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, gets ready to host the grandest esports event from November 11th to 16th, 2024.
Notably, Saudi Arabia is also hosting the first Esports World Cup in August where 8 esports already joined the event.
Games Will Be Featured at IESF 2024
The IESF has an impressive lineup of iconic game titles in store for us:
- Counter-Strike 2 (CS2)
- Dota 2
- eFootball™ Series
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- PUBG MOBILE
Notably, IESF has introduced women’s competitions in CS2 and MLBB, fostering greater diversity and inclusivity within the esports community.
How Do Teams Qualify for the IESF World Championship?
The path to the IESF World Esports Championship 2024 begins with National Qualifiers, where the top teams from each participating country battle it out for the coveted spot to represent their nation on the global stage.
This year a record-breaking 130 Member Federations have registered for the 2024 National Qualifiers, with a total of 609 teams vying for glory across the five game titles.
The National Qualifiers have already kicked off on January 16th, setting the stage for the Regional Qualifiers, scheduled to begin in June.
Crucial Regional Qualifier dates:
- Africa: June 10th – 19th
- Asia: June 20th – 30th
- Europe: July 6th – 25th
- Africa (again): August 17th – 21st
- America: August 24th – September 1st
- Asia (again): September 6th – 14th
Winners of these qualifiers will earn the right to represent their nations in the LAN event at the World Esports Championship in Riyadh from November 11th to 16th.
Last year, Iași, Romania, hosted the 15th IESF WEC 2023. Here are the winners:
- Counter-Strike 2 – Sweden
- Mobile Legends – Philippines
- PUBG Mobile – Kyrgyzstan
- DOTA 2 – Mongolia
- eFootball 2023 – Serbia
- Tekken7 – Pakistan
Prize Pool Distribution
With a staggering $1 million prize pool, the IESF World Esports Championship 2024 promises to be a life-changing opportunity for the top performers.
The prize money will be distributed among the top eight teams in each game title and category, ensuring that every participant has a chance to walk away with a substantial reward.
Additionally, in a first for the tournament, each of the 16 participating teams in PUBG Mobile will receive a portion of the prize pool, making it a truly inclusive and rewarding experience for all competitors.
The IESF World Esports Summit
Alongside the thrilling esports action, the IESF 2024 roadmap will culminate with the 9th IESF World Esports Summit in December.
This prestigious event brings together esports leaders, global brands, government officials, and key figures from around the world to address challenges, share knowledge, and collectively shape the future of the esports industry.
Since its inception in 2016, the IESF World Esports Summit has evolved into a must-attend event, offering unparalleled networking opportunities, business prospects, knowledge-sharing sessions, and inspiration for all attendees.
Last year, Busan, South Korea hosted the the 8th World Esports Summit in November 2023.
This year’s host is yet to be announced so stay tuned for further updates.
Source: IESF official website