The Esports World Cup Foundation (“EWCF”) and SNK Corporation, a global leader in game development and publishing, today announced a landmark three-year partnership that brings the anticipated FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves to the Esports World Cup 2025. The legendary fighting game franchise’s first new entry in 26 years will rev its way onto the global esports scene at the world’s largest gaming and esports event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this summer.

Credited with shaping the fighting game genre, FATAL FURY will connect its storied legacy with the future of esports, uniting its classic appeal with the excitement of modern competitive play. The EWC’s Club Championship will play a pivotal role in reigniting FATAL FURY’s competitive spirit, introducing the brand-new entry to a new generation of players, and fostering its growth on the global esports stage. The partnership will accelerate FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves’s debut in competitive gaming, leveraging the global stage of the Esports World Cup to introduce the iconic franchise to new audiences worldwide.

“FATAL FURY is a cornerstone of fighting game history, a franchise that helped ignite the competitive spirit of the 1990s arcade boom and set the stage for the genre’s mainstream revolution,” said Fabian Scheuermann, Chief Games Officer, Esports World Cup Foundation. “As fighting games and retro titles experience a global resurgence, fueled by nostalgia, competitive depth, and community-driven passion, we are thrilled to partner with SNK for the next three years to bring this legendary series to the Esports World Cup stage. Together, we aim to reignite FATAL FURY’s competitive legacy by introducing it to a new generation of players and fans, elevating its place in the world of esports and supporting the growth of competitive gaming as a truly global sport”.

SNK’s FATAL FURY, first released in 1991 on the NEOGEO arcade system, has captivated fans for over three decades. Garou: Mark of the Wolves, released in 1999, has served as the franchise’s most recent installment, with SNK recently announcing the new release, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, to launch in April 2025 – 26 years after its predecessor. Renowned for its innovative gameplay mechanics, compelling characters —such as Terry Bogard, who also appeared in other games like Super Smash Bros.—and rich storytelling, the franchise has spawned multiple sequels, adaptations, and an animated series, cementing its legacy in gaming history.

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Its inclusion in the Esports World Cup is set to revive its competitive spirit while fostering the game’s global growth and inspiring the gaming community worldwide.

“This partnership marks a historic milestone for FATAL FURY, a title loved around the world for 30 years, as it steps into the competitive gaming arena,” said Kenji Matsubara, CEO of SNK Corporation. “The Esports World Cup provides the perfect platform to showcase the franchise’s enduring legacy while engaging a new generation of fans, including those watching the great fights live in Riyadh arenas and on screens around the world. With the upcoming release of City of the Wolves in April 2025, this collaboration paves the way for an exciting future, blending the series’ rich history with incredible new possibilities. Together with other landmark titles in SNK’s rich fighting game library—such as THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV and SAMURAI SHODOWN—we will continue to be a leader in the ever-expanding world of esports for years to come. We’re thrilled to work with EWCF to deliver an unforgettable experience for players, fans, and fighting game community members around the world.” 

The FATAL FURY’s announcement adds another revered title to the Esports World Cup’s multi-year lineup, joining a prestigious roster of the world’s most popular games spanning a variety of genres, including first-person shooters, MOBAs, battle royales, strategy and fighting games, as well as one of the most enduring games of all time: chess. With the addition of Fatal Fury, the 2025 event features 20 tournaments across 19 game titles, with more titles set to be revealed in the coming weeks.

Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite gaming and esports communities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Champion. The tournament’s unique Club Championship cross-game format will reward Clubs and players with points based on their success in the games, crowning the top Club in the final standings as the Esports World Cup Club Champion in the largest-ever celebration of esports. The inaugural EWC in 2024 featured 200 Clubs and 1,500 elite athletes from 100 countries, competing in 22 tournaments across 21 games for a $60 million prize pool. The eight-week competition and festival drew 500 million viewers online and saw 2.6 million people attend.

The Emirates Esports Federation (EEF), in collaboration with ITW Universe, has announced the launch of an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the acquisition and operation of elite franchises in the upcoming E-Gaming League (EGL). This initiative presents a significant opportunity for global investors, esports teams, sports franchise businesses and high-net-worth individuals to become part of the rapidly growing esports ecosystem, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a hub for digital entertainment and economic advancement.

The E-Gaming League is set to redefine esports with a sustainable, inclusive and competitive platform that spans multiple gaming genres. Designed to engage diverse demographics, the league will serve as a stable framework for fostering global collaboration and long-term investment opportunities.

Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Shakbout Al Nahyan, President, Emirates Esports Federation, stated: “The EGL franchise model represents a groundbreaking evolution in the esports industry. It is not just a framework but a transformative platform that ensures stability, fosters global collaboration, and unlocks unparalleled opportunities for long-term investment. Esports has grown beyond virtual entertainment to become a mass sport that transcends borders, cultures, and generations. With EGL, we are not just hosting games—we are shaping the future of the digital economy.”

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Echoing this sentiment, Saeed Ali Al-Tahir, General Secretary – Emirates Esports Federation, added: “The launch of the EGL franchise model marks a defining moment in the evolution of esports. It stands as a beacon of innovation, providing stability through equitable revenue-sharing, strategic brand partnerships, and pathways for talent development. Our vision is to position the UAE as the world’s premier hub for competitive gaming and to lead the charge in driving economic growth, cultural exchange, and limitless opportunities for the next generation.”

Vivek Chandra, Director of ITW Universe, said: “We are happy to announce the EGL Franchise Ownership Tender along with Emirates Esports Federation. This initiative is designed to attract forward-thinking partners eager to engage in a dynamic and profitable esports ecosystem. We look forward to creating a League that add values to the Publishers, Players & whole esports ecosystem and our franchise partners would be at the centre of all the initiatives.”

Team Vitality is proud to announce its support for the second edition of the Elite FE tournament, organised by streamer and Elite FE founder, Minaleyy.

The women’s Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) event, is organised in collaboration with Skin.Club, and brings together the world’s top players to participate in tournaments for a €1000 cash prize.

With only 6% of women in professional esports, the Elite FE tournament aims to promote female talent within the CS2 scene and strengthen their visibility. This initiative is part of an overall effort to encourage more diversity and inclusion in the esports industry.

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A SPRINGBOARD FOR WOMEN’S CS2 TEAMS

The Elite FE tournament will bring together 16 international women’s teams, including 4 selected by Minaleyy in collaboration with Team Vitality and Skin.Club, to compete on the FACEIT platform. In each tournament, the winning team will be awarded €1000 as well as various prizes, including Team Vitality merchandising and gaming equipment.

From 23rd February, the entire tournament will be broadcast live on Twitch and hosted by Minaleyy, who will be accompanied by various casters. Debriefs, game analysis, and engaging video content will be produced to contribute to the visibility of the participating teams and encourage conversations on social media.

Designed as a warm-up for professional teams ahead of the upcoming ESL Impact season, the Elite FE tournaments will be held every two months starting in February 2025, with matches scheduled on Sundays to maximise participation and viewership. By aligning with major esports events, Elite FE aims to be a key tournament for player development and a training ground for teams aspiring to reach the professional level.

This tournament represents a competitive, positive and inclusive vision for diversity in esports. By regularly hosting events, Elite FE aims to become an essential platform for CS2 players, while actively showcasing emerging talent.

TEAM VITALITY CONTINUES ITS COMMITMENT TO WOMEN’S ESPORTS

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By supporting the Elite FE tournament, organised by Minaleyy, Team Vitality reaffirms its strong commitment to developing women’s esports. The competition provides semi-pro and amateur players with a unique platform to enhance their skills, increase their visibility and integrate into a scene moving towards greater diversity.

This initiative builds on Team Vitality’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity in esports, which to date has included the creation of its women’s League of Legends team, the Rising Bees, and its women’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team. These initiatives reflect the club’s commitment to actively supporting the emergence of leaders both in the competitive field and at a community level. Team Vitality and Minaleyy are also thrilled to welcome Skin.Club to the project, ensuring the best conditions for the project’s success and maximising visibility for players within the CS2 ecosystem.