GeoGuessr makes surprising entry into Esports World Cup 2025
GeoGuessr, the popular geography game, is making a surprising entry into the Esports World Cup. Announced on 15 May 2025, GeoGuessr will be part of the Esports World Cup Festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event includes a Last Chance Wildcard Tournament, offering top players a chance to compete in the World Finals in Copenhagen.
The rise of GeoGuessr as an esport
GeoGuessr, launched in 2013 by Swedish IT consultant Anton Wallén, challenges players to guess their location based on Google Street View images. The closer the guess is to the actual location, the higher the score. Over time, GeoGuessr evolved from a niche curiosity into a competitive title, with regular community-driven tournaments becoming popular.
GeoGuessr at the Esports World Cup Festival
GeoGuessr won’t be part of the main competition at the Esports World Cup 2025, but it will feature at the Esports World Cup Festival in Riyadh’s Boulevard City. This event is backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, which has funded several sporting and entertainment events in the Kingdom.
The Wildcard Series offers players multiple chances to qualify for the World Finals, with the Last Chance Wildcard Tournament in Riyadh being the final opportunity to secure a spot in Copenhagen. The World Finals in Copenhagen, Denmark, will see top players from around the globe competing for GeoGuessr glory.
Why the announcement sparked backlash?
The announcement of GeoGuessr joining the Esports World Cup Festival sparked mixed reactions on social media. One critical read: “Extremely disappointed about this, you people are sellouts. This is a slap in the face of your player base.”
Critics argue that the government is using esports for “sportswashing,” attempting to improve its international image through high-profile events. Concerns about human rights and ethics have long been raised by human rights organisations regarding Saudi Arabia’s record. Many gamers believe that participating in events backed by its Public Investment Fund (PIF) compromises ethical standards in esports.
GeoGuessr’s 2025 competitive season
GeoGuessr’s three offline regional Majors are scheduled for 2025: Japan Major, Americas Major at DreamHack Dallas, and EMEA Major in Sweden. The EMEA Major will be held at the Glitched LAN event from 13–16 June, marking its first-ever live appearance—a significant milestone for the GeoGuessr competitive community. Partnering with DreamHack Dallas adds credibility and exposure, which is a strategic move for GeoGuessr as it aims to establish itself in the competitive gaming scene.
GeoGuessr records viewership in 2024
The GeoGuessr World Cup 2024, held in Sweden, attracted over 250,000 viewers, with a peak of 254,000, according to Esports Charts. This is more than three times the viewership of its inaugural edition in 2023. The event’s rapid growth has seen it surpass notable esports competitions in peak viewership, including League of Legends’ LCS Spring 2024 (246,184), the Call of Duty League 2024: Stage 1 Major (245,437), and the Halo Championship Series 2024: Arlington Major (109,670).
