Tag: world cup

Mastercard Renews Partnership with Esports World Cup 2025

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced the return of Mastercard as an official event supplier for the 2025 Esports World Cup, the world’s largest esports event, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 to August 24. The renewed partnership underscores Mastercard’s continued commitment to elevating digital experiences, championing youth engagement, and supporting the Kingdom’s rapidly growing gaming ecosystem.

Through the collaboration with the Esports World Cup, Mastercard will introduce a range of immersive on-ground activations and seamless payment solutions designed to enhance the overall fan journey. This will include creating a bespoke version of the Mastercard Gamer Academy, where Mastercard, in collaboration with G2 Esports and Esports World Cup, designed a one-of-a-kind experience that will provide 10 successful applicants with the opportunity to be mentored by professionals on how they could pursue a career in esports.

Further, fans can collect Priceless Points by interacting with the games and activities available at the Mastercard booth for the chance to win ultimate gaming gear that will be rewarded to the top scoring players. Further, there will be live appearances by G2 Esports players to be hosted as fireside chats to talk about areas like pro esports. The brand’s presence will emphasize the intersection of technology, gaming, and culture, anchored by initiatives that highlight and support local Saudi talent.

“Mastercard’s return as a partner reflects the Esports World Cup’s evolution from a tournament into a global cultural platform,” said Mohammed Al Nimer, Chief Commercial Officer, Esports World Cup Foundation. “Together, we’re creating impactful experiences that go beyond gameplay, uniting youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and immersive fan engagement. Mastercard’s focus on Priceless experiences and innovation makes them an ideal partner to help us inspire the next generation of gamers and connect with fans in meaningful and memorable ways.”

Saud Swar, Country Manager, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan and other Levant, Mastercard added, “We are proud to deepen our partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation as we continue to unlock the potential of gaming in the Kingdom. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, Mastercard is committed to connecting people to their passions, driving innovation, and inspiring the next generation. Our priceless experiences help empower youth, promote digital inclusion, and celebrate Saudi Arabia’s vibrant esports culture.”

This partnership builds on Mastercard’s long-standing global support for the gaming and esports industry, including its strategic sponsorship of Riot Games’ League of Legends and VALORANT. It reinforces Mastercard’s leadership in digital payments and its role in shaping future-facing experiences through youth engagement and innovation.

Alongside the tournaments, the surrounding gaming ecosystem continues to grow, including the rise of popular video game marketplaces, where players buy, sell, and trade gaming accounts, skins, and digital goods tied to their favorite esports titles.

The 2025 Esports World Cup will host 25 tournaments across 24 game titles, bringing together over 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs from more than 100 countries; a level of competition that inspires many casual players to improve their skills through options like Dota 2 boosting services, coaching, and gameplay guides.

To learn more about EWC, visit esportsworldcup.com and follow Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn.

Empty Seats, Broken Dreams: Why the 2025 Club World Cup is Failing to Excite Fans

FIFA billed the 2025 Club World Cup as football’s most extraordinary club event: 32 teams, a $2.5 billion prize pool, and global giants clashing in a US summer spectacle. It promised blockbuster action, but reality disappoints like a hyped film flopping on opening weekend. Reports show that 40% of opening match tickets are unsold, starkly contrasting with FIFA’s sold-out vision. Even Inter Miami’s star power fails to draw, with their key match against Al Ahly plagued by empty seats. The anticipated excitement hasn’t materialized, fans wanted an event to cheer about and maybe put a little fun money for casual bets using things like shangri la bonuses, but they were left shrugging.

Five Reasons Fans Are Saying “No”

Why aren’t fans attending? Five hurdles for the 2025 Club World Cup:

  • Schedule Overload. Sandwiched between Euro 2024, 2026 WC qualifiers, Nations League, and Gold Cup, it’s simply too much football too fast.
  • Absurd Pricing. $140+ tickets for group games ($50 for MLS) feel like a wallet punch, especially with rising costs.
  • Meaningless Format. Mismatches feel like pre-season friendlies, not high-stakes games.
  • Star Fatigue. There’s a rumor that some stars may limit their participation due to fatigue, dimming the tournament’s appeal.
  • No Stakes. Even Champions League winners seem indifferent. If top clubs don’t care, why should fans?

These issues stack up like a losing streak. Fans want value and meaning, not a forced, bloated event.

The American Misfire

Hosting in the U.S. seemed a slam dunk, but FIFA fumbled badly. Choosing tourist hubs like New York and Los Angeles over soccer-passionate cities like Portland or Kansas City ignored the true fanbase, making it feel like hosting the Super Bowl without a local team: all flash and no soul.

Further alienating local fans were awkward kickoff times, like 12 p.m. ET for games featuring Asian or African teams, rather than prime-time slots. This corporate focus and scheduling misstep created a Grand Canyon-wide disconnect between FIFA’s plan and what U.S. fans actually want.

FIFA’s Tone-Deaf Response

FIFA’s response to poor ticket sales has baffled. Instead of addressing issues, they’ve said that fans don’t yet understand the vision. Their solution? Desperate discount codes, cutting prices by up to 84%, resemble a clearance sale for unwanted goods.

The core problem is the lack of an emotional hook. Unlike the history-rich Champions League or the pride-filled World Cup, this event feels like an unasked-for “Super League Lite” corporate experiment. FIFA is banking on prestige, but without a resonant story, they’re shouting into the void.

How to Fix It

Can this ship be turned around? Maybe, but it’ll take more than quick fixes. Here’s what could spark some life into the 2025 Club World Cup:

  • Cut Prices. Cap group-stage tickets at $50. Affordable seats worked for baseball’s resurgence in the ‘90s, pulling fans back to struggling teams. Football could use the same playbook.
  • Engage Locals. Partner with grassroots clubs, not just hotel chains or big sponsors. Think small league tailgates or watch parties with local teams. Build a community, not a tourist trap.
  • Simplify the Calendar. Shift the tournament to odd years, away from the Euros and World Cup cycles. Give it breathing room, like a classic TV rerun that finds new fans in a quiet season.

These ideas aren’t rocket science, but they demand that FIFA listen, not dictate. Think of a struggling sports franchise rebuilding its fan base, block by block, through outreach and heart. That’s the vibe this tournament needs.

Wrapping Up

The 2025 Club World Cup, intended as a global football celebration, falters with empty seats signaling broken promises. Fans reject the hype, alienated by excessive games, steep prices, and a soulless event. Hosting in the U.S. was a missed opportunity, undermined by poor city choices and corporate focus. FIFA’s response has been ineffective.

While time remains for bold changes, current signs are worrying: lagging ticket sales and frustrated fan chatter online show little buzz exists. The tournament isn’t doomed but faces a steep climb to win back supporters.

Dublin Tech Summit Partners with Pegasus to Host First Ever Irish Leg of the Startup World Cup

The Startup World Cup, the world’s largest startup pitch competition, will make its debut in Ireland, with the semi-final taking place at Dublin Tech Summit 2024. Powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures, the tournament consists of over 50 regional startup competitions across over 20 countries, providing an unmatched opportunity to access Ireland’s startup ecosystem and global tech companies.

The contendants will be judged at the event by a panel of venture capitalists, with the winner attending the grand final in Silicon Valley to compete against 50 other semi-finalists from across the globe for the $1,000,000 investment prize. The judging panel will consist of esteemed venture capitalist organisations, aimed at supporting startup growth. Featuring partners and directors from, VC Seraphim Space, Sure Valley Ventures, Techstars Sustainability Paris, Anamcara Capital, and The Launch Code.

“The Startup World Cup Grand Finale 2023 in San Francisco was more than just an event; it was a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Martin Tantow, Partner at Pegasus Tech Ventures. “Each pitch brought something unique to the table, elevating the competition to new heights of excitement. To be able to bring such an arena to a highly receptive audience in Ireland, has been a long awaited affair for Pegasus Tech Ventures, and we are honoured to partner with Dublin Tech Summit to bring the first ever leg of the event to Ireland, given the nation’s esteemed tech prowess in Europe”

Dublin Tech Summit 2024 will also be expanding its Accelerate initiative. Accelerate provides an opportunity for Irish start up & scale-up brands to expand internationally and get noticed by technology movers and shakers, to maximise investment opportunities for the Irish startup scene. Dublin Tech Summit will exhibit all entries in its Accelerate hall for the duration of the summit.

“Dublin Tech Summit is thrilled to announce not only the expansion of our Accelerate programme to empower local innovators but its commitment to empowering those very talents on a global stage as host to the Startup World Cup. To be able to utilise our position as a seminal voice in the mainstream techworld to provide opportunities to the next generation of changemakers, is something Dublin Tech Summit and our Accelerate programme take great pride in. In a world of ever changing corporate tax receipts, nurturing our local and start-up economy is as vital now as it ever was”, said Tracey Carney, Managing Director, Dublin Tech Summit.

To compete on the pitch stage at the DTS24, startups must register online to participate in the Accelerate programme and founders must have formed a legal business entity. The startup can be at any stage of development, from pre-seed to scale-up, and each entrant will submit a 90-second video pitch. 50 startups will be selected from the video pitches to compete in knockout presentation rounds on day one of the summit, with finals on day 2 for those who advance in the competition.

“It is an unprecedented opportunity for Irish startups to get their idea in front of expert investors, and the chance to be in the global grand finale competition in Silicon Valley. Entrepreneurial dreamers are the life of the innovation economy. Providing Irish expertise to the world is a key feature of the Accelerate programme, one which has the potential to see significant dividends in the economy as wider society in dynamic times”, said DC Cahalane former GCMO for Dogpatch Labs, and now Venture Partner at Sure Valley Ventures, and DTS Accelerate stage MC.