Prime Video is launching Esports World Cup: Level Up, a five-episode docuseries that follows the action backstage at the history-making 2024 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The series, premiering June 6, is directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker R.J. Cutler, whose credits include critical hits like Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry and Elton John: Never Too Late. With weekly new episodes, the show provides a unique, vérité-style look at the human narratives, high-pressure stakes, and emotional arcs that characterized the most ambitious esports tournament ever produced.
The 2024 Esports World Cup was a watershed moment in the history of competitive gaming globally. Extending over eight weeks of nail-biting action, the tournament united over 1,500 world-class players and 200 Clubs from 100 nations. They played 22 events in 21 high-profile game titles for a combined total prize amount of $62.5 million, historically the biggest in esports. At the center of the competition was the Club Championship, an innovative format where organizations earned points in various games, giving equal weight to consistency, team depth, and flexibility. Team Falcons ultimately became the overall Club Champion, taking home $7 million and making their mark on esports history.
What sets Level Up apart from typical esports coverage is its emphasis on the richly human stories beneath the virtual avatars. R.J. Cutler and his production crew immersed themselves in the tournament, shooting not just in Riyadh’s advanced esports venues but also in gamers’ hometowns around the globe. With raw storytelling and cinematic closeness, the series conveys the gravity of personal concessions, cultural pressures, and professional drive. As Cutler explains, “This story isn’t just about the $60 million on the line, it’s about identity, resilience, and passion under pressure. It’s where digital competition meets real-world consequence.”
One of the many gripping stories captured in the series is Soka from Team Falcons, a tough-talking and bold player who grew up on the rough streets of Oakland. His post-game trash talk tends to hide behind a background of adversity and personal strife, making his breakthrough more effective. And then there’s South Korea’s T1 FAKER, a living legend within the world of esports whose popularity is on par with that of global pop culture stars. Though celebrated as among the best to have ever played, he struggles with living up to his own legend and the emotional burden of being a world figure in an ultra-competitive arena.
Another compelling story is that of Sanford, a 19-year-old Filipino child prodigy, whose career becomes intensely personal when his father has a stroke. Since his family has no other breadwinner, Sanford bears so much more than the weight of winning—his journey is a witness to responsible youth and love for family. Just as inspiring is Atlanta FaZe’s Drazah, who was raised in a shed in North Pole, Alaska. With a single mother and seven siblings raised in humble circumstances, his return to his roots is an emotional reminder of the distance passion and determination can push one toward.
Level Up also shines a spotlight on Chel and Cinny, two rural Indonesian sisters who command the most dominant women’s team in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Their tournament run is threatened by the untimely passing away of their grandfather, pushing their emotional resilience to the test as they struggle to cope with loss and competition. Ukrainian Club NAVI CEO Yevhen Zolotarov has a story full of geopolitical undertones. Competing while his nation is embroiled in war, Zolotarov’s story is motivated by a need to bring hope and attention to his country. And then there’s Mossad Aldossary, the 24-year-old CEO of Team Falcons. A Riyadh native, he captains the country’s number one club with pride and pressure, looking to bring victory home and make history in front of a worldwide audience.
Aside from the tales of individual players and teams, Esports World Cup: Level Up also looks at the cultural and commercial implications of esports on today’s world. The 2024 EWC was watched by more than 500 million people globally, testifying to the rocket-like trajectory that competitive gaming had achieved in becoming a mainstream pop culture phenomenon. Amazon, as the official e-commerce partner of the event, opened dedicated gaming hubs for the Middle East and North Africa regions to increase digital fan interaction. At the same time, the Star Sports Network purchased broadcast rights and broadcast major tournaments in both English and Hindi—a recognition of the nation’s increased interest in esports content.
However, the tournament was not controversy-free. Critics raised an eyebrow over Saudi Arabia’s wider political scene and questioned human rights and sportswashing. Yet there were also moments of symbolic advancement. Team Liquid, for example, was permitted to don Pride-inspired jerseys, a bold move considering the conservative social mores of the region.
In the end, Esports World Cup: Level Up is more than a documentary about gaming—it’s an examination of a changing global culture in which virtual spaces hold the passion and competitive heat previously exclusive to mainstream sports. It’s a glimpse into a new generation of competitors moving through fame, wealth, and self-discovery within an ever-changing system. With its exemplary storytelling and engaging lens, the series presents a vital glimpse into what it means to be a champion in the 21st century.