EWC Valorant 2025: Full Schedule

EWC VALORANT 2025: Schedule, Matchups, and What’s at Stake

The Esports World Cup (EWC) is back in 2025 with its biggest Valorant tournament yet, and the competition is heating up fast. Kicking off on July 8, the event gathers 16 top-tier teams from around the globe to battle for a $1.25 million prize pool, with $500,000 reserved for the champions. Hosted at the STC Esports Arena in Riyadh, this international showdown promises world-class gameplay, unexpected twists, and high-stakes drama from start to finish.

Whether you're tuning in to cheer for your favorite team or keeping an eye on the competitive meta, here’s everything you need to know about the EWC VALORANT 2025 schedule, opening matchups, and playoff format.

Group Stage Breakdown: Four Stacked Groups

The group stage is split into four pools, each with four teams. Only the top two from each group will move on to the playoffs. Every opening match will be a best-of-one (BO1), with all future rounds (except the Grand Final) played as best-of-three (BO3).

Let’s break down each group and the opening matchups:

Group A: The Champions

• Paper Rex vs. Bilibili Gaming
• G2 Esports vs. Karmine Corp

Fresh off their VCT Masters Toronto victory, Paper Rex looks unstoppable. But Bilibili Gaming won’t go down without a fight. Meanwhile, G2 Esports faces Karmine Corp, now boosted by Saadhak and SUYGETSU—two massive pickups that could shift the balance.

Group B: A Test of Experience

• Sentinels vs. BBL Esports
• DRX vs. Xi Lai Gaming

The North American giants Sentinels will meet BBL Esports, while DRX prepares to counter the aggressive style of Xi Lai Gaming, who earned their spot by winning VCT China Stage 1. All eyes are on which teams can maintain composure under pressure and rank up early in the tournament.

Group C: Personal Histories

• NRG Esports vs. Team Heretics
• RRQ vs. Titan Esports Club

One of the most hyped matches of the group stage sees Benjyfishy take on his former org as Team Heretics faces NRG Esports. This isn’t just a game—it’s personal. Meanwhile, RRQ hopes to avoid an early upset against Titan Esports Club, a Chinese team looking to prove their worth on the global stage.

Group D: The Group of Death

• 100 Thieves vs. FNATIC
• Gen.G vs. EDward Gaming

Stacked doesn’t even begin to describe Group D. FNATIC comes in hot after a lower-bracket miracle run at Masters Toronto, while 100 Thieves aims to disrupt their rhythm. On the other side, Gen.G takes on EDward Gaming, the 2024 world champions and China’s most seasoned roster. These matches will be a true test of skill and strategy, likely shaping the final playoff seeding.

Key Dates and Match Times (GMT+8)

The group stage kicks off on Tuesday, July 8, and runs until Thursday, July 10, followed by the quarterfinals on July 11, semifinals on July 12, and the grand final on Sunday, July 13.

Opening Day – July 8:

• 17:00 – Paper Rex vs. Bilibili Gaming & G2 Esports vs. Karmine Corp
• 18:00 – Sentinels vs. BBL Esports & DRX vs. Xi Lai Gaming
• 19:00 – NRG vs. Team Heretics & RRQ vs. Titan Esports Club
• 20:00 – 100 Thieves vs. FNATIC & Gen.G vs. EDward Gaming
• 21:00 – Winners’ matches (Groups A & B)
• 00:15 – Winners’ matches (Groups C & D)

The action continues with elimination and decider matches on July 9 and 10, narrowing down the field before the playoffs.

Playoffs and Broadcast Details

Once the group stage wraps up, the top teams will enter a single-elimination playoff bracket. Expect even more intense matches, especially with every round potentially ending a team’s EWC run. Matches will be dual-streamed during groups and quarterfinals, with mainstream coverage from the semifinals onward.

The grand final, played as a best-of-five (BO5), takes place at 17:00 on Sunday, July 13, after a third-place match at 16:00.

Valorant's Role in the Biggest Esports Event Yet

Valorant is one of four new titles added to the Esports World Cup lineup in 2025, joining Chess, Crossfire, and FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves. With over 2,000 players and 200 clubs participating, this year’s EWC is the largest multi-game esports competition in history, featuring a massive $70+ million prize pool.

A portion of this, $27 million, is dedicated to the EWC Club Championship, a cross-game leaderboard rewarding the best overall organizations. Valorant rosters will play a pivotal role in helping their orgs climb the Club ranks, making every match count even more.

In 2024, Team Falcons took home the $7 million Club Championship title after consistently placing in the top three across multiple games. Team Liquid and Team BDS rounded out the top three. With more at stake this year, expect every team to push harder—not just for individual glory, but to boost their organization’s overall standing.

Final Thoughts

EWC VALORANT 2025 is more than just another tournament—it’s a global battlefield where pride, prize money, and long-term legacy are all on the line. Whether you're a fan of fast-paced tactical play, rooting for your favorite player, or following the Club Championship grind, this event offers something for everyone.

From strategic BO1 openers to high-stakes BO5 finales, every match could be the one that defines a team’s year—or even their career. Stay tuned, because this July, the world of Valorant is about to be boosted to a whole new level.

 

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