Team Redline has become the first champion of the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC), securing consecutive wins after claiming the title at the inaugural 2024 event. The Riyadh showdown featured nine top-tier sim racing teams battling over a $500,000 prize pool. With standout races, podium finishes, and an MVP performance by Luke Bennett, Redline now leads the championship standings. Here’s a full breakdown of their historic run.
Team Redline’s Road to Victory 🏁
Team Redline entered the tournament as the second seed and breezed through the group stage with three wins out of four races. In the upper bracket, they took two of three races to seal their spot in the grand final.
- Qualifying stage: 3 wins, 1 loss
- Upper bracket: 2 wins, 1 race away from finals
- Grand Final: Clean sweep to claim the title
The consistent performance throughout earned them the top spot in the standings with 1,000 Club Championship Points.
Highlights of the Grand Final
The grand final showcased Redline’s dominance, as they secured a decisive win in every race. Post-victory, they selected keys from defeated rivals—Virtus.Pro, Team Vitality, and Porsche Coanda—to embed in their trophy base, symbolising their triumph.
- Clean victory: Swept every final race
- Trophy tradition: Keys of defeated teams as trophies
- Legacy move: Embedding symbols of rivals in the trophy
This key-embed tradition adds weight to the win beyond prize money, showcasing Redline’s intent to build a lasting legacy in sim racing.
Luke Bennett: MVP of the Event
Luke Bennett stood out with four podium finishes on race day. In the upper-bracket races, he clinched a top-three finish in every outing, earning him the MVP title and a $10,000 bonus.
- Podium record: 4 times on the final day
- Upper bracket consistency: 3 races, all podiums
- Prize: $10,000 MVP award
Bennett said this achievement felt like a personal solo championship. Yet, he emphasised that the win reflected the entire team’s effort.
Riyadh 2025: Stage Set for Fans
This year’s EWC expanded in scope, with larger arenas and increased spectator space. The fan experience in Riyadh received praise from drivers and fans alike, thanks to well-organised logistics and hospitality.
- Bigger arenas: More space for fans
- Global turnout: Fans from near and far
- Seamless event hosting: Hospitality praised by competitors
Jeffrey Rietveld of Redline noted the professionalism in organising and thanked the hospitality in the city for helping his team stay focused.
Championship Standings After Week 1
With one win under their belt, Team Redline leads the EWC 2025 standings with 1,000 points. The leaderboard will evolve as the tournament continues through July 13, featuring finales in Apex Legends, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and VALORANT.
- Current leader: Team Redline – 1,000 points
- Upcoming finals: Apex Legends, Fatal Fury, VALORANT
- Prize pools: Spread across gaming titles
Expect tough competition ahead as other teams chase Redline in subsequent events and aim to close the gap on the leaderboard.
Why This Win Matters
- Legacy building: First back-to-back EWC champions
- Prize strength: $500,000 pool confirms prestige
- Momentum boost: Lead in early standings, strong psychological edge
This win sets the tone for Redline’s season. Defending champions often face pressure—now they not only need to maintain form, but also withstand growing expectations.
Summary
Team Redline has made history at EWC 2025 in Riyadh by defending their title from 2024. They topped the group and upper-bracket stages before cleanly sweeping the grand final. Luke Bennett’s MVP showing earned him $10,000, while the team’s trophy now bears symbolic markers from their beaten rivals. With 1,000 championship points, Redline leads the standings as the event shifts to finals in other esports titles. Their performance highlights strong consistency, strategic depth, and an emerging legacy in sim racing.
FAQs
What is the Esports World Cup (EWC)?
The EWC is an annual international esports event featuring multiple gaming titles, including sim racing, Apex Legends, VALORANT, and more.
How much is the prize pool for sim racing at EWC 2025?
The sim racing tournament had a $500,000 prize pool.
What are Championship Points, and why do they matter?
Teams earn points based on performance. The top leaderboard position gives better seeding and prizes, influencing year-end standings.
