Date: 26th May 2025
HONOR OF KINGS AT EWC 25
Honor of Kings is returning to the Esports World Cup bigger and better than ever before, with a monster $3 million prize pool and more teams than ever before. As part of a three-year deal that will also see Honor of Kings return in 2026, the 2025 tournament will be the Honor of Kings World Cup at 2025 Esports World Cup, featuring top teams including representation from the KPL after the dream team from the league dominated the competition last year.
SCHEDULE AND FORMAT
Dates & TeamsJuly 15-2618 Teams
Group Stage16 teamsFour groups of four, double-elimination bracketTop team of each group qualifies for Playoffs Second place team qualifies for Last Chance Best-of-3 (BO3)
Last ChanceFour Teams Single elimination bracket Best-of-5 (BO5)Top two teams advance to Playoffs
Phase 3 (August 16)Eight teams KPL and ACL teams join directly into Playoffs Single elimination bracket Best-of-7 (BO7), third place match is BO5
PRIZE POOL
Tournament Prize Pool – $3,000,000MVP Bonus – $10,000 USD
QUALIFIERS
The Indonesia League Spring runs until June 1, with the top three teams qualifying for EWC. Philippine League Spring runs until June 8, with the top three teams qualifying for EWC. Malaysia League Spring runs until June 7, with the top three teams qualifying for EWC. The King Pro League (KPL) runs until May 10, with the top team qualifying for EWC. Wildcard Series runs until May 25, with the top team qualifying for EWC. CHOKBR Fall runs until June 8, with the top two teams qualifying for EWC. The Major East and Major West both run until May 4, with the top team from each qualifying for EWC. The Major Last Call runs till May 5, with the top team qualifying for EWC. The champions of the Asian Champions League (ACL): China, which takes place between May 14 and May 18, will also qualify for EWC. The EWC Online Qualifier: MENA runs on May 21 and 23, with the top team qualifying for EWC.
2024 RECAP
In the inaugural year, the stage was set in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where KPL Dream Team emerged as the stars of the Honor of Kings Invitational Midseason x Esports World Cup. Competing against twelve elite teams, KPL Dream Team proved its mettle by sweeping LGD Gaming 3-0 in the grand finals — a statement that solidified their dominance in the competitive scene.
Representing China with pride, KPL Dream Team was crafted as a powerhouse collection of Kings Pro League talent, and they certainly delivered. After a flawless 5-0 performance in Group B, they demonstrated their prowess in the playoffs, dispatching Impunity 2-0 in the quarterfinals, outmanoeuvring All Gamers Global 3-0 in the semifinals, and capping it all off with a grand finals sweep.