RIYADH: The “Super Sunday” Esports World Cup in Riyadh saw three champions crowned, with KPL Dream Team taking home the “Honor of Kings Invitational Series 2024 Midseason”, Alliance taking home the “Apex Legends” and Team BDS taking home the “Rainbow Six Siege”.
The world's largest gaming and esports festival with a prize pool of $60 million has awarded $7 million to competitors at Boulevard Riyadh City.
KPL Dream Team took home the $1 million prize pool thanks to “Honor of Kings”’s incredible performance, going through the entire tournament without losing a single round. The Chinese star swept LGD Gaming MY 3-0 in the finals.
Gemini, whose real name is Jia Yi, the coach of KPL Dream Team, said: “That’s because of teamwork. We have good technique and we work hard for this event. We have played this game for a long time. This is how we can continue this event. I would like to thank our fans. They came all the way from China to support us here. The facilities here are great. It’s great to play here.”
However, today’s story is “Rainbow Six Siege” where BDS continued their success in 2022 and 2023. At Gamers8, organized by Saudi Esports Federation, they not only made history in the gaming industry but also swept w7m esports 3-0 in the finals.
“We are all very happy to have won the Gamers8 and the Esports World Cup twice in a row,” said BDS analyst Eagle Mees, whose real name is Mees van der Arendt. “I don’t think any other team can do that and make history. We are very happy. Emotions are running high. Now we will take some time off and then focus on the next competition.”
The Swiss/French organization took home $750,000 in prize money for their winning entry. At the “Apex Legends” tournament held at the SEF Arena in Boulevard Riyadh City, Team Alliance took home the top prize of $600,000 in spectacular fashion. The Swedish team defeated hometown team Team Falcons to claim the championship.
“It feels amazing. It still feels a little unreal. After 14 games of Apex Legends, your brain is kind of cooked,” said Alliance star Hakis, real name John Håkansson. “Overall, I feel empty and tired, but happy and excited. It still feels a little unreal.”
“I think the most satisfying thing for us is to get revenge,” Hakis added. “We had the chance to win the whole game before the last 14 and we had to go again. To win the next game would be amazing. This is probably one of the tightest tournaments we’ve ever played.”
“The Falcons are a great team. They are a respected team and one of the most successful teams in the game. Personally, I find it funny when the fans cheer for the Falcons. They have such passion. We used to joke during the games, ‘Go Falcons!’ They are special, and that’s what it is.”
The Esports World Cup, which kicked off on July 3 and will run through August 25, features 22 world-class tournaments across 21 leading games.
