Gaming
Esports World Cup: Level Up returns to Prime Video for season two on June 26
Docuseries goes behind esports stars, clubs and families in global competition arc
LOS ANGELES: Esports is hitting play once again as Esports World Cup: Level Up returns to Prime Video with a second season that promises to zoom in on the human side of high-stakes competitive gaming.
The five-part docuseries drops all episodes on June 26, offering an all-access look at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh. Directed by R.J. Cutler and produced by This Machine, the series follows players, teams and families navigating pressure, ambition and life-changing competition.
Behind the scenes, the show captures the scale of a global esports ecosystem where fortunes can shift in a single match. According to Esports Foundation chief executive Ralf Reichert, the series reflects the deeper purpose of the event. Esports Foundation CEO Ralf Reichert said the tournament “creates the stage for the best games, best clubs and best players, bringing together a global gaming community through moments that define a new generation.”
From elite chess to first-person shooters, season two follows a wide spectrum of competitors. Stories include Magnus Carlsen adapting to esports competition, Jake “Boaster” Howlett balancing performance and resilience in VALORANT, and Vivi “Vivian” Indrawaty confronting personal setbacks while competing at the highest level.
Other featured narratives track Kasimili “Soka” Tongamoa dealing with rivalry and pressure in Call of Duty: Warzone, and Garidmagnai “bLitz” Byambasuren leading the rise of Mongolz. The series also follows Xiao Hai of Team Falcons, who balances global competition with family life.
The storytelling expands beyond the arena, with appearances from cultural and sporting figures including Cristiano Ronaldo, who features during the Club Championship finale, alongside other global personalities from sport and entertainment.
Director R.J. Cutler said the new season continues to explore ambition and identity through competition. R.J. Cutler, director, added that esports has become “one of the most dynamic cultural movements,” and that the series aims to reveal the lives, dreams and sacrifices behind the global stage.
Produced by This Machine for Prime Video, Level Up blends sport, storytelling and spectacle, reflecting the growing cultural weight of esports.
With its return, the series promises another close-up look at a world where digital competition delivers very real stakes, and where every match can turn a player into a global name overnight.
