RIYADH: The first Esports World Cup event taking place in Riyadh has introduced a new handcrafted trophy in collaboration with renowned trophy designers Thomas Lyte.
The design reflects Saudi Arabia’s landscapes, esports culture and the spirit of competition, featuring details such as palm trees and gaming symbols. Standing at 60 cm tall, handcrafted from more than 9 kg of sterling silver bullion, and gold-plated, it represents the highest honor for the world’s top esports athletes.
The trophy’s body was cast in sterling silver in multiple sections, each meticulously filed and polished for hundreds of hours before being plated in 24-carat gold. The world-class team at Thomas Lyte’s silver workshops in London then carefully assembled the trophy, piece by piece, on the trophy’s hand-spun base, ensuring every detail reflected the highest standards of craftsmanship and design. The London-based luxury silversmiths have also designed and manufactured elite sporting presentation prizes such as the Emirates FA Cup, Guinness Six Nations Trophy, and the Asian Football Confederation’s Asian Cup.
The Esports World Cup, established and hosted by Saudi Arabia, runs from July 3 to Aug. 25. It features 22 tournaments across 21 titles over eight weeks, showcasing the best in esports talent from around the world. Week 2 began on July 10, with three tournaments taking place daily up until July 14.