Star Sports Network, in partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation, has secured the exclusive broadcast rights for the 2024 Esports World Cup.

As the designated broadcaster, Star Sports is set to provide comprehensive coverage of the event, featuring dual-language commentary in English and Hindi. Fans can catch the live action on Star Sports’ YouTube channel and on television through Star Sports First and Star Sports 2.

Scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 3 to August 25, the Esports World Cup will span eight weeks and showcase elite esports teams battling it out in 21 of the most acclaimed gaming titles, marking it as the most extensive multi-game esports tournament to date.

Following the successful broadcast of the BGMI Masters in 2022, the first esports event televised in India by Star Sports Network, the upcoming EWC is anticipated to attract a massive viewership, continuing the trend of high engagement in esports entertainment.

Disney Star’s Head of Sports Marketing, Vikram Passi, announced, “Esports is swiftly becoming a major player, powered by India’s expanding gaming culture and international acclaim. The BGMI Masters’ Series has quickly become a top-tier tournament in India, showcasing the vast potential for elite esports events. The forthcoming Esports World Cup broadcast aims to broaden our viewership, invigorate the gaming community, and promote esports acceptance among traditional audiences. This event promises to attract esports aficionados and engage a younger audience, fostering wider recognition of the competitive gaming scene.”

Esports World Cup Foundation CEO Ralf Reichert remarked, “Teaming up with Star Sports, we’re bringing the Esports World Cup to India’s enthusiastic gaming fans. Eager to support India’s evolving esports environment and encourage upcoming talent, we’re excited for the world’s elite to compete in Riyadh. This could ignite a fresh esports passion in India and perhaps lead to an Indian team’s triumph.”

The Esports World Cup (EWC) will feature a staggering $60 million prize pool (approximately Rs 500 crore) and introduce a novel cross-game competition structure, rewarding individual and team excellence across eight games: Call of Duty: Warzone, Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, Fortnite, EA Sports FC 24, and PUBG.

Key events include:

• Opening Broadcast: Week 1, on 3 July at 10 pm, featuring Call of Duty: Warzone in Hindi on SS First and the SS YT channel.
• Weekly Schedule: Starting from Week 3, on 18 July, EWC will be broadcast at 9 pm on SS2, SS First, and the SS YT channel.
• Hindi Commentary: Both Call of Duty: Warzone (Week 1) and Counter-Strike 2 (Week 3) will feature Hindi commentary on SS First and the SS YT channel.