GeoGuessr walks away from the Esports World Cup after creators black out maps in protest. The game’s esports ambitions now face uncertainty.
GeoGuessr drops out of Esports World Cup after community revolt
GeoGuessr has officially withdrawn from the 2025 Esports World Cup following intense backlash from its community, putting an abrupt halt to what could have been a defining moment for the game’s push into the mainstream esports scene.
Just five days after announcing it would host a $20,000 Last Chance Wildcard tournament at the EWC Festival in Riyadh, GeoGuessr’s developers reversed course.
CEO Daniel Antell confirmed the decision via social media on May 22, stating:
“When you tell us we’ve got it wrong, we take it seriously. That’s why we’ve made the decision to withdraw from participating in the Esports World Cup in Riyadh.”
The move came after dozens of the game’s top mapmakers made their work unplayable in protest, citing concerns over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and accusing the Esports World Cup of serving as a sportswashing vehicle.
The blackout quickly gained momentum online, with prominent community figures and casual players alike voicing support for a boycott.
While many have praised GeoGuessr for listening to its community, the withdrawal also marks a missed opportunity for a title that has long operated at the edges of competitive gaming.
The Esports World Cup, backed by a record $70 million prize pool, was set to give GeoGuessr its biggest spotlight yet — positioning it alongside global juggernauts like Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, and Valorant.
Instead, GeoGuessr now finds itself back in limbo, with the future of its wildcard qualifier and its broader esports ambitions up in the air.
For esports betting sites, the withdrawal won’t have a financial impact.
As reported previously, GeoGuessr was unlikely to attract betting markets, with no major sportsbooks offering odds for the title.
But in terms of visibility and legitimacy, the EWC was a rare global platform — and now, it’s one that GeoGuessr has walked away from.
Whether the community-led protest ultimately strengthens the game’s identity or sidelines it from the wider esports conversation remains to be seen.
For now, the answer to “Novelty or Newcomer?” is clearer than ever. GeoGuessr is still the outsider looking in.
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