The Esports World Cup 2025 is raising the stakes once again with the reveal of its official Song of the Year and an electrifying Opening Ceremony artist line up that blends music, gaming, and culture on a global scale. The event will kick off on 10 July in Riyadh with a star studded stage that includes performances by DINO of SEVENTEEN, Duckwrth, Telle Smith, Alesso, Tina Guo, and Post Malone.
The new anthem, “Til My Fingers Bleed,” sets the tone for the seven week long global tournament and embodies the essence of esports intensity and emotional drive. With DINO representing K pop, Duckwrth bringing his genre defying rap style, and Telle Smith offering his powerful vocals from the rock and metal scene, the song is a layered fusion that reflects how diverse the gaming community truly is. These artists, each with roots in gaming culture, will perform the track live for the first time at the Opening Ceremony.
The track itself was crafted by producers Alex Karlsson and T.Ma, who have worked with global music icons like BTS and ATEEZ. Duckwrth also contributed to the rap verse, while Jared Lee and others helped shape the anthem into a battle cry for gamers worldwide. Available now on major streaming platforms and accompanied by a cinematic visualiser on YouTube, the song will become the soundtrack of the tournament through streams, live shows, and social content throughout the event.
Beyond the anthem, the Opening Ceremony will also feature a headline act by Post Malone. Known for his chart topping hits and deep ties to gaming, Post Malone will blend live music with esports culture in a performance that fans expect to be one of the biggest moments in competitive gaming history. His involvement follows previous gaming collaborations including in game events and streaming appearances that have made him a favorite within the gaming community.
Adding to the musical line up, fans will get to experience a live remix of “Ascension,” the Esports World Cup’s orchestral theme reimagined by Alesso with live cello from Tina Guo. This remix has already captured attention online and will now come to life in the stadium during the opening night, offering a mix of electronic, cinematic, and gaming inspired sound that perfectly matches the scale of the event.
This entire musical chapter is part of EWC Music, a long term initiative launched in April 2025 to create a distinct sound identity for the tournament. It began with a four track orchestral suite recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios by award winning composers 2WEI and Hollywood Scoring. The goal has been to create more than just music for entertainment. EWC Music aims to forge a deep emotional connection between fans, players, and the moments that define competition.
The creative leadership behind the project believes that music has the same connective power as gaming. Executive Creative Director Viranda Tantula explains that the blend of genres in “Til My Fingers Bleed” mirrors the international diversity of esports itself. Meanwhile, Ariel Horn, Executive Producer of the Esports World Cup Foundation, emphasized that the event’s music is meant to resonate with fans across all gaming styles, from shooters to strategy titles, and amplify their experience of the tournament.
With over 2,000 players and 200 clubs from more than 100 countries, the Esports World Cup 2025 is poised to break records in both attendance and prize money. A staggering 70 million dollars will be distributed across 25 tournaments covering 24 games, making it the largest prize pool in the history of esports. And with this year’s musical collaborations, the tournament isn’t just a competitive platform anymore it is becoming a cultural force.
Fans looking to experience this celebration live can now purchase tickets at esportsworldcup.com, including access to the Opening Ceremony. The Esports World Cup is not only a sports tournament but a spectacle of music, global unity, and fan passion, creating unforgettable moments from start to finish.
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