Amazon’s Prime Video will premiere a five-part documentary series ‘Esports World Cup: Level Up’, a five-part documentary series that takes viewers behind the scenes of the inaugural Esports World Cup (EWC) in 2024.
The docuseries was directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker R.J. Cutler (Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry), capturing the personal stories and high-stakes competition behind one of the most ambitious esports events to date.
Produced by This Machine, a Sony Pictures Television company, Level Up follows the journey of players and Clubs across the eight-week tournament held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 2024 EWC saw 1,500 players and 200 Clubs from 100 countries across 22 tournaments in 21 games, all competing for a share of the record-setting $60 million prize pool.
“What drew me to the Esports World Cup was the compelling human stories unfolding within this high-stakes arena,” said Cutler. “Level Up isn’t just about the incredible competition and prize money; it’s about the dedication, the passion, and the sheer will of these athletes and teams pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Under high pressure, we discover the true character of the competitors who vie for $60 million, but who also expose their humanity in the process.”
The series blends verité-style filmmaking with on-the-ground access, offering intimate portraits of players like League of Legends star Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya, and COD world champion Zack ‘Drazah‘ Jordan, alongside executives and rising stars navigating both personal challenges and competitive pressure.
“A win might make the headlines — but the real story is the people behind it,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “Level Up dives 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 it matters. R.J. is the best at bringing those stories to life, and this one captures the heart of what we’re building.”
Esports World Cup: Level Up will stream exclusively on Prime Video starting June 6, with new episodes released weekly.
