The world of competitive gaming is heading back to the spotlight as Esports World Cup: Level Up returns for its highly anticipated second season on Prime Video on June 26, 2026.
Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker R.J. Cutler, the five-episode documentary series offers unprecedented access to the players, coaches, clubs, and families behind the 2025 Esports World Cup, showcasing the sacrifices, ambitions, and emotional journeys that define elite esports competition.
With all episodes launching simultaneously on Prime Video, Esports World Cup: Level Up Season 2 aims to bring viewers closer than ever to the personalities shaping the future of global esports.
Inside the $70 Million Esports World Cup Competition
Set against the backdrop of the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the series follows competitors battling for a record-breaking $70 million prize pool and the coveted EWC Club Championship.
Across seven weeks of competition, players from around the globe faced career-defining moments where a single victory could change everything.
Rather than focusing solely on gameplay, Level Up examines the human stories behind the competition, revealing the personal sacrifices required to compete at the highest level.
The production team spent seven weeks on-site in Riyadh while also traveling across the United Kingdom, United States, and Indonesia to capture intimate moments from players’ lives away from the spotlight.
Global Esports Stars Featured Throughout the Series
Season 2 follows several of the biggest names in competitive gaming, each bringing a unique story to the documentary.
Featured personalities include:
ArSy (Team Liquid – Mobile Legends: Bang Bang)
The Filipino coach’s quest to lead Team Liquid back to championship contention serves as one of the documentary’s central narratives.
Magnus Carlsen (Team Liquid – Chess)
Widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players in history, Carlsen embarks on a new challenge as he transitions into the esports ecosystem, facing a fresh generation of competitors.
Jake “Boaster” Howlett (Fnatic – VALORANT)
As VALORANT makes its Esports World Cup debut, Boaster’s journey from aspiring actor to professional esports star demonstrates the resilience required to succeed in modern competitive gaming.
Vivi “Vivian” Indrawaty (Team Vitality – Mobile Legends: Bang Bang)
Vivian’s story explores her pursuit of a life-changing championship while confronting personal struggles and overcoming setbacks both inside and outside the game.
Xiao Hai and bLitz
The series also follows legendary fighting game player Xiao Hai and Counter-Strike star Garidmagnai “bLitz” Byambasuren as they navigate the intense pressures of international competition.
More Than Esports: Music, Entertainment, and Global Culture
Beyond the competition itself, Esports World Cup: Level Up Season 2 captures the broader cultural impact of the event.
Viewers will see appearances from major figures across sports, entertainment, and gaming, including:
- Post Malone, who performed as an event headliner while showcasing his passion for gaming
- Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, who participated in the Club Championship trophy ceremony
- Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris
- Football legends Ronaldo Nazário and Kaká
- Professional footballer Alisha Lehmann
- Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk
- Tennis star Nick Kyrgios
These appearances reinforce the growing influence of esports as it continues to intersect with mainstream entertainment and traditional sports on a global scale.
Esports World Cup Continues Record-Breaking Growth
The documentary arrives as the Esports World Cup continues to establish itself as one of the largest events in competitive gaming.
According to organizers, the 2025 edition reached 750 million viewers worldwide and generated 350 million hours watched. Peak concurrent viewership approached eight million during the League of Legends competition.
The event featured:
- 25 tournaments
- 24 game titles
- More than 2,000 professional players
- Approximately 200 esports clubs
- Representation from over 100 countries
- Coverage across 97 broadcast partners
- More than 800 channels in 35 languages
The scale of the competition has helped position the Esports World Cup as one of the defining events on the global esports calendar.
Looking Ahead to the Esports World Cup 2026
While Level Up Season 2 revisits the unforgettable moments of the 2025 competition, attention is already shifting toward the next chapter.
The Esports World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place in Paris, France, from July 6 through August 23, where the world’s top esports organizations will compete for a record $75 million prize pool and the prestigious EWC Club Championship trophy.
As anticipation builds for the tournament’s next evolution, Esports World Cup: Level Up Season 2 offers fans a timely look behind the scenes at the people, stories, and emotions that continue to shape the future of esports.
Where to Watch Esports World Cup: Level Up Season 2
All five episodes of Esports World Cup: Level Up Season 2 will premiere exclusively on Prime Video on June 26, 2026.
For esports fans eager to understand what happens beyond the arena lights, the series promises an intimate and emotional look at the competitors chasing greatness on gaming’s biggest stage.
