The world of competitive gaming takes center stage like never before in Esports World Cup: Level Up, a groundbreaking five-part documentary series premiering June 6, 2025, exclusively on Prime Video. Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker R.J. Cutler (Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry, Elton John: Never Too Late), the series goes beyond the flashing lights and prize money to uncover the raw, personal stories behind the record-breaking $60 million Esports World Cup (EWC).
Released weekly, the series captures the inaugural EWC held in 2024 — a defining moment in the evolution of esports that brought together 200 Clubs, 1,500 players, and over 500 million viewers worldwide.
🎮 The Human Drama Behind Gaming’s Biggest Stage
Esports World Cup: Level Up isn’t just a celebration of epic plays and digital domination — it’s a deeply human story about dreams, pressure, sacrifice, and triumph. Filmed in immersive verité style, Cutler and his team embedded themselves within the tournament’s eight-week span, following elite players, Club CEOs, and rising stars across the globe.
From the intensity of Riyadh’s arena stages to emotional home visits around the world, Level Up captures a rare inside look at the sacrifices players make in pursuit of gaming’s most coveted title.
“What drew me to the Esports World Cup was the compelling human stories unfolding within this high-stakes arena,” says director R.J. Cutler. “This series isn’t just about the $60 million prize — it’s about identity, passion, and the character it takes to chase greatness.”
🏆 A Format That Redefined Esports
At the core of Level Up is the EWC Club Championship, an unprecedented, multi-title competition where esports Clubs earn points across more than 20 games toward a single global leaderboard. Every match matters. Every decision could swing a team’s fate.
“A win might make headlines — but the real story is the people behind it,” says Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “Level Up reveals the ambition, pressure, and sacrifice that define what it takes to compete at the top level. It’s the soul of esports.”
🌍 Global Stories, Universal Stakes
The docuseries spotlights a diverse group of players and leaders, each with their own powerful backstories:
- Soka (Team Falcons): A trash-talking talent from Oakland whose bravado hides a rough upbringing.
- FAKER (T1): South Korea’s living esports legend battling both his rivals and the myth of his own greatness.
- Sanford (Team Liquid): A 19-year-old prodigy from the Philippines who plays to support his family after his father’s stroke.
- Drazah (Atlanta FaZe): From a shed in North Pole, Alaska to the esports main stage, he’s gaming’s ultimate underdog.
- Chel & Cinny (Team Vitality): Indonesian sisters dominating Mobile Legends while dealing with personal loss mid-tournament.
- Yevhen Zolotarov (NAVI CEO): Competing for pride and survival as war rages in his homeland of Ukraine.
- Mossad Aldossary (Team Falcons CEO): A 24-year-old leading Saudi Arabia’s top team with the pressure of a nation on his shoulders.
📺 Streaming Schedule & Availability
- Title: Esports World Cup: Level Up
- Premiere Date: June 6, 2025
- Episodes: 5 (Released Weekly)
- Streaming Exclusively on: Prime Video
- Available In: 240+ countries and territories
Produced by This Machine (a Sony Pictures Television company), the series is directed by R.J. Cutler, with John Dorsey as showrunner and Jane Cha Cutler, Trevor Smith, Elise Pearlstein, and Mark Blatty as executive producers.
As esports continues to surge into the mainstream, Level Up offers something more than spectacle — it’s a coming-of-age story for an entire generation of digital athletes, capturing a cultural shift as gaming cements itself at the heart of modern entertainment and sports.
With unprecedented access, cinematic storytelling, and unforgettable characters, Esports World Cup: Level Up promises to be a must-watch for esports fans, sports lovers, and documentary buffs alike.
🔗 Stay Connected
- 📺 Watch on Prime Video
- 🎮 Esports World Cup Official Site
- 📢 Follow #EWCLevelUp for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes clips, and fan reactions
