The PUBG: Battlegrounds showdown at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh delivered more than just a thrilling finale—it broke records across the board. Average viewership nearly doubled compared to last year, jumping 89% to 98,158, while peak concurrent numbers soared 145%. Fans logged a combined 2.5 million hours of watch time over just 26 hours of live broadcast, cementing the tournament as one of PUBG’s most-watched events this year.
Twisted Minds Edge Out Gen.G in Nail-Biting Finish
Saudi Arabia’s own Twisted Minds gave the home crowd plenty to celebrate, edging past South Korea’s Gen.G by just seven points to lift the trophy. The margin between second and third was even tighter—Team Falcons missed the runner-up spot by only three points.
The win not only secured Twisted Minds’ place in the Club Championship race but also highlighted the growing influence of Middle Eastern rosters on the international esports scene.
Regional Backing Powers Audience Boom
The surge in viewership wasn’t just global—it was deeply local. With Twisted Minds and Team Falcons both making the podium, Arabic-language streams saw a sharp 16.5% spike in peak viewers. Fans across other regions also tuned in, with English, Thai, and Korean broadcasts all reporting strong growth.
The wider reach of the tournament helped too. This year, coverage expanded from 77 to over 100 channels, giving the competition more visibility than ever.
Club Championship Standings Tighten
Twisted Minds’ victory adds fresh intrigue to the ongoing Esports World Cup Club Championship, where every point matters heading into the final week. The current leaderboard stands as follows:
- Team Falcons – 4,700 pts
- Team Liquid – 4,200 pts
- Team Vitality – 3,750 pts
- Twisted Minds – 3,200 pts
- Virtus.pro – 3,200 pts
- Gen.G Esports – 2,850 pts
With just 500 points separating Falcons and Liquid at the top, and a cluster of teams battling in the mid-table, the race for the championship title looks set to deliver a dramatic finale.
