‘League Of Legends’ Icon Faker Becomes Esports World Cup Ambassador
The most iconic esports player ever has signed a multi-year deal to sit alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen as EWC ambassadors.
Mike Stubbs, Contributor
Forbes
2 min read
7/10
Key Takeaways
Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok) has won a record four League of Legends World Championships (2013, 2015, 2016, 2023).
The Esports World Cup launched in 2024 and is hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a multi-year commitment.
Faker joins football star Cristiano Ronaldo and chess world champion Magnus Carlsen as EWC ambassadors.
The multi-year ambassador deal includes promotional appearances, content creation, and event representation.
The EWC features competitions across multiple esports titles, including League of Legends, Valorant, and Counter-Strike 2.
The most iconic esports player of all time is now an official ambassador for the Esports World Cup, joining global sports legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen. Faker, the legendary League of Legends player, has signed a multi-year deal to become an ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC), the Saudi Arabia-backed global esports festival. The announcement, made on July 15, 2026, marks another milestone in Faker's unparalleled career and signals the growing mainstream acceptance of competitive gaming. Faker, whose real name is Lee Sang-hyeok, has dominated League of Legends for over a decade, winning four World Championships and countless other titles. He is widely regarded as the greatest esports player in history, with a fan base that transcends gaming. The Esports World Cup, first held in 2024, is an ambitious multi-week event that brings together the world's top esports titles under one roof. By adding Faker to its roster of ambassadors—alongside football icon Cristiano Ronaldo and chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen—the EWC is positioning itself as a premier global sports property. The deal is multi-year, though specific financial terms were not disclosed. Faker's role will include promotional appearances, content creation, and representing the EWC at major events. The move underscores the EWC's strategy of using superstar athletes to attract mainstream audiences and legitimize esports alongside traditional sports. Faker's involvement is expected to boost viewership and credibility, especially in Asia, where he commands a massive following. Analysts see this as a win-win: Faker expands his brand beyond gaming, while the EWC gains a cultural icon who bridges the gap between hardcore gamers and the general public. Looking ahead, Faker will likely appear at the next EWC in Riyadh, and his influence could help drive the event's global expansion. With Faker on board, the Esports World Cup is sending a clear message: esports belongs on the world stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Faker, whose real name is Lee Sang-hyeok, is a South Korean professional League of Legends player widely considered the greatest esports player of all time. He has won four World Championships and numerous other titles.
The Esports World Cup (EWC) is a multi-week global esports festival held annually in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featuring competitions in top games like League of Legends, Valorant, and Counter-Strike 2. It launched in 2024.
Alongside Faker, the Esports World Cup ambassadors include football star Cristiano Ronaldo and chess world champion Magnus Carlsen.
Faker's deal with the Esports World Cup is multi-year, though specific length and financial terms have not been publicly disclosed.
Faker's involvement bridges esports with mainstream sports, bringing massive viewership and credibility to the event. It signals the growing acceptance of competitive gaming on a global stage.
The announcement was made on July 15, 2026, via Forbes and official Esports World Cup channels.
