Here’s How Much It Costs to Fly and Watch the Esports World Cup in Riyadh

If you’re an esports fan in the Philippines, the Esports World Cup in Riyadh is the closest thing to a pilgrimage.

The Esports World Cup 2025 features a massive lineup of 25 tournaments across 24 major titles, all staged in Riyadh from July to August. Expect global action in MOBAs such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Dota 2, League of Legends, and Honor of Kings; FPS and Battle Royale titles including Valorant, Counter‑Strike 2, Apex Legends, PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone; fighting games such as Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves; racing and sports like Rocket League, EA Sports FC 25, and Rennsport; strategy entries like Teamfight Tactics and StarCraft II; and even chess, which makes its competitive debut at EWC this year

The only question now is: how much would it cost for a Filipino fan to actually fly out and experience it?

We ran the numbers. It’s not cheap. But it’s not impossible either.

The Flight: Between ₱25,000 and ₱52,000, Round Trip

There are two ways to get from Manila to Riyadh. One is to fly direct via Philippine Airlines, which will cost you around ₱52,000 round trip. The other is to fly Cebu Pacific with a layover or two and shave that cost down to around ₱25,000, depending on when you book.

If you’re smart with your timing, you’ll likely land somewhere closer to the lower end. Off-season tickets, especially in September, tend to dip even further.

The Stay: Between ₱11,000 and ₱31,000 for Five Nights

Budget stays like Sands Inn Hostel or Al Eairy Apartments are usually 15–25 minutes away by ride-share. Here’s where you can save or splurge, depending on your priorities.

If you’re the type to sleep, shower, and leave, there are budget hostels and apartments that cost as little as ₱2,000 a night. The Sands Inn Hostel and Al Eairy Apartments are safe, OFW-approved bets.

If you’re willing to spend a little more for privacy and air-conditioning that actually works, ₱4,500 to ₱5,000 a night puts you in solid 3-star territory—think Al Mutlaq Hotel or Golden Dune.

Or you can go all-in: Crowne Plaza, Hilton, the kind of place where the lobby smells like oud and the bed feels like a cloud. Expect to pay ₱6,000 and up per night.

The Visa: Around ₱7,800

Filipinos are eligible for Saudi Arabia’s eVisa, which is relatively painless to apply for online. The cost breaks down like this:

• Visa fee: ₱4,500
  
• Insurance and service charges: ₱3,300
  
• Total: ₱7,800
  

It’s valid for one year and allows for multiple entries—useful if you’re planning a return trip or a layover in the future.

​​Where Is the EWC Happening?

All main event arenas are located within Boulevard Riyadh City’s sprawling complex:

• ANB Arena: Hosted the sold-out opening ceremony with global superstars like Post Malone
• Qiddiya Arena, 5v5 Arena, stc Arena, and the Play Gaming Hall — all purpose-built esports venues within Boulevard City

The Food: Home Feels Just Around the Corner

Riyadh has a surprising number of Filipino restaurants. Not Jollibee—we’re talking full-blown lutong bahay.

There’s ISLAS Resto & Grill, a favorite among OFWs, known for its unlimited rice, inasal, and live acoustic sets. Fiestahan and Bahay Kainan round out the list with dishes like sinigang, kare-kare, and tapsilog that taste like Sunday lunch back home.

If you’re feeling adventurous, Albaik is a Saudi fried chicken institution—crisp, juicy, and spicy in all the right ways. A meal sets you back around ₱200. You’ll want to go back. Trust us.

Estimated daily food budget: ₱500 to ₱1,000
Total for five days: ₱2,500 to ₱5,000

Getting Around: ₱1,500 to ₱2,500

Riyadh’s public transport is growing, but most visitors still use ride-hailing apps like Uber or Careem.

The bus and metro cost around ₱60 per ride. But if you want to avoid waiting under the desert sun, ride-sharing is the smarter (if more expensive) move.

Budget around ₱2,000 for the week, more if your hotel is far from the venue.

The EWC Ticket Prices

While official EWC ticket prices haven’t been released at the time of writing, ticket prices usually depend on the event and the type of seating. General admission tickets usually cost P1,500 to P3,000, while tickets for VIP seats, exclusive areas, or hospitality access usually range P10,000 up. 

If you’re only going to Riyadh once, this is where you might want to spend.

The Takeaway

You don’t have to be a crypto millionaire or a Mobile Legends pro to fly out to Riyadh. You just have to plan early, spend wisely, and maybe be okay with sharing a room or two.

If you’ve been saving up for a once-in-a-lifetime esports trip, this might be it. No other event on the calendar this year has the kind of lineup, scale, or cultural weight that EWC does.

So how much will it actually cost?

If you take the budget route—fly Cebu Pacific, stay in a hostel, stick to public transport, and go for regular tickets—you’re looking at a total spend of around ₱67,000 to ₱80,000.

If you prefer comfort—nonstop flights, a proper hotel, easier commutes, and a more premium experience at the venue—your total lands somewhere between ₱116,000 to ₱128,000.

Either way, you’re paying for more than just the matches. You’re paying to be in the room where it all happens.