The world’s largest esports tournament officially launched in grand style as the Esports World Cup 2025 kicked off its seven-week run with a spectacular Opening Ceremony at the ANB Arena in Boulevard City. On July 11, thousands of fans packed the arena while millions tuned in online to witness a night that seamlessly blended global music, immersive visuals, and high-octane gaming energy.
🎤 A Stage for Superstars: Post Malone, DINO, Duckwrth, and More
Headlining the ceremony was global superstar Post Malone, who captivated the crowd with an emotional performance of “Circles.” But the night truly roared to life with the live debut of the official Esports World Cup 2025 anthem, “Til My Fingers Bleed.”
The genre-blending track—featuring DINO of SEVENTEEN, Duckwrth, and Telle Smith of The Word Alive—has already surpassed 2 million streams on Spotify in its first week. The trio’s live performance electrified the crowd, mixing K-pop choreography, hip-hop swagger, and rock intensity into a unified, unforgettable showcase. With a towering LED mountain stage and dynamic visual transitions, the show emphasized EWC’s mission: to tell the stories of competitors, fans, and cultures coming together.
EDM powerhouse Alesso and iconic cellist Tina Guo followed with an explosive instrumental performance of “Ascension,” transforming the stage into a sonic battlefield as esports competitors faced off beneath a storm of lights and sound.
🧡 DINO: “K-pop Meets Gaming on the Global Stage”
DINO of SEVENTEEN expressed the significance of the event:
“Performing at the Esports World Cup opening ceremony was such an eye-opening experience. It was really meaningful for me to connect K-pop with another creative frontier—the gaming world—and to share the stage with amazing, genre-diverse artists like Duckwrth and Telle Smith.”
🏔️ An Opening Ceremony Like No Other
Produced by Ariel Horn and Viranda Tantula—known for crafting top-tier live events—the show was helmed by Possible Productions. Key design features included:
- A 40-meter mountain stage
- Tiered ramps with flown LED ceilings
- Augmented reality sequences
- Seamless transitions across live performances
The creative team sought to embody EWC’s emotional narrative of competition, perseverance, and fandom through every detail of the show.
Horn added:
“We all dream of telling stories on the biggest stages, and this was certainly that. But even more, we aim to tell emotional stories that connect with fans across the globe who dedicate their time to this diverse collection of games.”
🎮 Where Culture, Gaming, and Celebrities Collide
The red carpet featured a global mix of stars, from streamer Tyler1 and NFL legend Osi Umenyiora, to chess Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, actor Karry Wang, and esports phenom Arslan Ash—further cementing EWC as a global intersection of entertainment, sports, and gaming.
🏆 Let the Games Begin
With the Opening Ceremony wrapped, the spotlight now shifts to competitive action. The Esports World Cup Club Championship is officially underway, with matches across top esports titles unfolding daily across multiple arenas in Boulevard City. The world’s best teams are battling for the most prestigious title in all of esports.
Fans can also enjoy immersive festival experiences on-site throughout the event.
🎟️ Tickets are available now at esportsworldcup.com.
