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The Esports World Cup 2025 turned plenty of heads this year when Fortnite was noticeably absent from its official game lineup. Given Fortnite’s global popularity and history of huge tournaments, fans expected to see it on the Riyadh stage, but organisers had other plans.

Why Fortnite Missed Out

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, explained the decision in an interview with Saudi TV channel Al Ekhbariya. According to him, Fortnite “lacks competitive tools” and “doesn’t have a huge competitive ecosystem” compared to other featured titles like PUBG Mobile, FC 25, and Modern Warfare 3.

“Fortnite is an amazing game and has a huge community, but it’s not really purpose-built for competition at this point,” Reichert said. He added that while the game wasn’t selected for 2025, organisers will “re-evaluate for 2026.”

This reflects a broader trend in esports: to be part of massive international competitions, a game needs more than just popularity. Tournament-ready matchmaking, reliable anti-cheat systems, and scalable competitive tools are all becoming non-negotiable.

The Community’s Reaction

Fortnite’s exclusion has sparked plenty of discussion online. Some fans and streamers argued that Fortnite still commands massive audiences on Twitch and YouTube Gaming, pointing to the steady viewership of FNCS events. Earlier this year, the FNCS Pro-Am peaked at over 600,000 viewers, and the 2024 FNCS Global Championship reached 809,000.

Others, though, agreed with the World Cup’s decision. They highlighted how Fortnite has shifted its focus towards pop-culture crossovers and casual entertainment, rather than fine-tuning its esports framework. For them, the move showed a clear message: popularity alone isn’t enough to secure a spot at the highest level of competitive gaming.

Fortnite’s Own Competitive Path

Even without a slot at the Esports World Cup, Fortnite’s competitive scene is far from dead. Epic Games continues to support players with tournaments like the Champions Road series, introduced in Chapter 6 Season 4. These events let players earn cash prizes and exclusive in-game cosmetics before they hit the shop.

So, while Fortnite may not be on the World Cup stage in Saudi Arabia this year, its competitive ecosystem continues to tick along, fuelled by both grassroots and official events.

Does Fortnite Need the Esports World Cup?

That’s the big question. Hosting Fortnite at the Esports World Cup would definitely add to the event’s variety, but Fortnite isn’t dependent on it. With strong FNCS viewership numbers and a loyal competitive community, the game remains relevant in esports regardless.

The decision may feel like a setback, but it also underlines the direction competitive gaming is heading. For Fortnite to reclaim its place on the world’s biggest esports stages, Epic Games will need to double down on providing professional-level systems that rival other titles. Until then, Fortnite will keep thriving on its own terms,  even if the spotlight shines elsewhere for now.

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Image Credit: Epic Games