GeoGuessr enters the EWC with a $20K event, but don’t expect betting odds. The quirky game remains a niche sideshow in the esports scene.
Novelty or Newcomer? GeoGuessr’s Esports World Cup debut
GeoGuessr’s surprise addition to the 2025 Esports World Cup Festival has sparked plenty of debate — but for esports bettors, it’s unlikely to move the needle.
While the popular geography game will host a $20,000 Last Chance Wildcard Tournament in Riyadh from July 21–27, the odds of it appearing on betting sites are slim.
Most of the top esports betting sites still haven’t opened markets for GeoGuessr tournaments, and with the title not part of the official Club Championship lineup, it’s hard to see any significant esports betting action landing here.
That’s in stark contrast to some of the heavy hitters on the Esports World Cup schedule, which runs from July 7 to August 24 with a record $70 million prize pool.
Counter-Strike 2 betting is expected to be one of the biggest drivers during the EWC, with international powerhouses like FaZe, Vitality, and G2 set to battle it out across group stages and playoffs.
GeoGuessr’s Riyadh tournament may draw plenty of eyeballs on Twitch, but unless the betting operators take a leap, it’ll remain more of a novelty sideshow than a serious part of the Esports World Cup narrative.
Still, its inclusion is telling of where competitive gaming is headed.
Alongside other left-field additions like chess and rhythm games, GeoGuessr helps broaden the scope of what esports can be — pushing the festival beyond its traditional FPS and MOBA core.
With a $20,000 wildcard spot on the line, it’s a big moment for a game that started as a niche browser project and has grown into a community-driven esport.
Of course, controversy has followed.
The decision to stage the qualifier in Saudi Arabia has sparked backlash across social media, with critics pointing to the country’s human rights record and accusing organisers of “sportswashing” through the Saudi-backed Esports World Cup Foundation.
For a game rooted in global exploration and community engagement, the move has felt off-key to many longtime players.
Whether the wildcard becomes a stepping stone to mainstream success or fades as a PR misstep, GeoGuessr has made it clear it wants in on the big stage.
From quirky internet game to esports festival contender — it’s now officially part of the show.
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