Prime Video to Release Esports World Cup: Level Up Documentary Ahead of EWC 2025

Amazon Prime Video is jumping into the world of competitive gaming with its upcoming five-part docuseries, Esports World Cup: Level Up, premiering June 6, 2025.

This original series gives fans a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the very first 2024 Esports World Cup (EWC), which took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from June 28 to August 25, 2024.

It’s produced by This Machine (part of Sony Pictures Television) and directed by Emmy Award-winner R.J. Cutler.

What’s it all about?

The docuseries dives into:

• The journey of elite esports athletes

• The drive and hustle of team owners and rising stars

• All-access footage from behind the scenes at the EWC

Cutler takes a verité-style approach—traveling to players’ homes around the world and embedding his crew in the thick of the action in Riyadh—to bring out the more personal, human side of the $60 million spectacle.

Who’s Featured?

The series spotlights a diverse lineup of players, team CEOs, and esports personalities across different games. Some of the standouts include:

• Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok – Legendary League of Legends player for T1

• Kasimili “Soka” Tongamoa – Warzone standout repping Team Falcons

• Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya – Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) pro for Team Liquid PH

• Zachary “Drazah” Jordan – Call of Duty player for Atlanta FaZe

• Cindy “Cinny” Siswanto & Michelle “Chell” Siswanto – MLBB players for Team Vitality

• Yevhen Zolotarov – CEO of NAVI

• Mossad Aldossary – CEO of Team Falcons

But it’s not just about in-game highlights. The show also digs into stories of sacrifice, family, and ambition—things we don’t often see during esports events.

A Quick Look Back at the 2024 Esports World Cup

The 2024 EWC was a massive event, featuring 19 esports titles and 22 different competitions, including League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Street Fighter 6, and more. It came with a jaw-dropping $60 million prize pool.

Saudi Arabia’s Team Falcons walked away with the Club Championship title, banking $7 million after earning the most Club Points across all the games. The system rewarded consistency across the board, not just standout performances in one title.

Of course, the event wasn’t without controversy. The Esports World Cup Foundation was established by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to become a global esports hub. This move has sparked criticism from some corners of the gaming world, with accusations of “esportswashing”—using flashy gaming events to deflect from ongoing human rights concerns. Fans and organizations have been pushing for more transparency and accountability from the EWC and those involved.

When and Where to Watch Esports World Cup: Level Up

• Release Date: June 6, 2025

• Episodes: Five-part series

• Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

• Schedule: New episodes drop weekly

The weekly release format gives fans plenty of time to catch up before the 2025 Esports World Cup kicks off on July 8. And yes—it’s even bigger this year, with a $70 million prize pool on the line.