Honor of Kings World Cup 2025 is all set to kick off next week in Riyadh

The best teams clash head-to-head for a share of the $3M prize pool

The Global Ban&Pick system makes a highly anticipated return

You can also earn a variety of in-game rewards

The countdown is on for the Honor of Kings World Cup 2025 — it kicks off next week in Riyadh as part of this year’s Esports World Cup, and the excitement is already building. With a $3,000,000 prize pool at stake and the return of the Global Ban&Pick format, the world’s elite teams are preparing for an intense showdown of skill and strategy.

The Honor of Kings World Cup 2025 kicks off with a group stage running from July 15th to 19th. Each group of four teams competes in a double-elimination format with best-of-three series. Group winners advance to the Group Kings stage, while runners-up get one final chance in the Last Chance bracket.

Group Kings and Last Chance matches take place on July 20th, setting the stage for the final eight teams to be determined for the playoff bracket starting July 23rd. This year, two KPL powerhouses, AG.AL and TT Global, will enter directly into the playoffs. The Grand Finals arrive on July 26th and will be decided in a best-of-seven Ultimate Battle.

Group stage matchups are now confirmed. Group A includes Blacklist International, BOOM Esports, Gen.G Esports, and Paws Gaming, while Group B features Alpha7 Esports against Dominator Esports, Loops, and Team Vitality. Groups C and D complete the lineup with strong squads such as Nova Esports, Twisted Minds, Nongshim Redforce, and OG Esports, promising unforgettable global showdowns.

Assemble a tournament-ready team by exploring our Honor of Kings tier list!

Off the battlefield, you can join the action through the KWC-themed Honor Pass, available now until August 28th. By completing missions, unlock exclusive cosmetics like the Nuwa-Syzygy Moonlight skin, and at level 80, claim a special Alessio KWC skin. There are also team voting, match predictions, and other in-app events that bring the thrill straight to your fingertips.

Visit Honor of Kings’ official website for more details.