Prime Video releases the documentary “Esports World Cup: Level Up”.

Prime Video, one of the world’s leading entertainment destinations, has launched the five-part documentary series Esports World Cup: Level Up from June 6, with new episodes released weekly.

Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker R.J. Cutler (Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry, Elton John: Never Too Late y Martha), the series offers a behind-the-scenes look at the inaugural Esports World Cup in 2024.a defining moment for global esports, where more than $60 million in prize money fueled a multinational battle to crown the best Club in the world.

The series is produced by This Machine (part of Sony Pictures Television), with R.J. Cutler directing, John Dorsey as showrunner and Jane Cha Cutler, Trevor Smith, Elise Pearlstein and Mark Blatty as executive producers. Level Up will be released exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories around the world.

Esports World Cup: Level Up offers a unique look at a global competition that is redefining what it means to be a champion for a new generation of athletes and fans. Cutler and his team of expert storytellers tapped into the eight-week tournament-followed by more than 500 million people worldwide-to uncover the personal sacrifices, rivalries and tensions that drive the action.

Shot in style veritéthe series combines intimate home visits in different countries with direct coverage from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It follows a wide cast of characters – from Club CEOs orchestrating million-dollar strategies to rising stars in search of life-changing victories – as they capture the pulse of elite esports competition.

What drew me to the Esports World Cup were the human stories unfolding within this high-tension arena. Level Up is not just about the incredible competition and the money at stake; it’s about the dedication, passion and sheer will of these athletes and teams to push the limits of what’s possible. Under pressure, we discover the true character of the competitors fighting for $60 million, but also exposing their humanity in the process.

R.J. Cutler, Series Director

At the center of Level Up is the “EWC Club Championship”, an unprecedented tournament format where Clubs compete in over 20 titles, earning points towards a unique ranking. Every game, every point, reshapes the race for global domination. With the largest prize pool in esports history, the EWC is not just a tournament: it’s a proving ground for the next generation of esports icons.

The launch of the Esports World Cup demonstrates how Saudi Arabia and the Middle East have established themselves as the fastest growing force in esports and video gaming. The series highlights the region’s passionate fan base, the world-class infrastructure behind events like the EWC and the continued investment to position Saudi Arabia and the MENA region as global leaders in the industry.

The inaugural Esports World Cup 2024 brought together 1,500 elite players and 200 Clubs from 100 countries, competing in 22 tournaments across 21 games for a total of $60 million in prize money, the largest ever in esports. The event attracted more than 500 million online viewers and 2.6 million visitors to Riyadh’s Boulevard City. In that inaugural edition, Team Falcons captured the world’s attention, climbing the ranks with 10 podium finishes, including three victories, accumulating 5,665 points and ultimately taking the Club Championship title with a prize pool of $7 million.

A win may grab the headlines – but the real story is the people behind it. Level Up delves into the human side of esports: the pressure, the ambition, the sacrifices. It’s about what it really takes to compete at the highest level – and why that matters. R.J. is the best at bringing those stories to life, and this one captures the heart of what we’re building.

Ralf Reichert, CEO, Esports World Cup Foundation