Thomas Lyte have designed and made the innovative Esports World Cup trophy. A global competition representing a multitude of Esports disciplines, with a huge grand prize – this state-of-the-art trophy, and a share of sixty million dollars.
As world renowned trophy designers and makers, Thomas Lyte are thrilled to be designers and makers of the first-ever Esports World Cup trophy. Commissioned in 2023 by the Esports World Cup Foundation, the trophy was handcrafted by the master craftsmen at Thomas Lyte using a combination of traditional skills and advanced prototyping techniques like 3D design and printing. This iconic piece represents a milestone in the world of Esports and stands as a testament to excellence in design and craftsmanship.
The Esports World Cup trophy was brought to life by the talented team at Thomas Lyte, a London-based luxury brand who have royal patronage to the British Royal family, having been appointed with a Royal Warrant, as goldsmiths and silversmiths by The Late Queen Elizabeth II.
Known as the world’s largest and most prolific elite sporting trophy designers and makers, Thomas Lyte’s portfolio includes prestigious trophies such as the Emirates FA Cup, the Rugby World Cup, the FIFAe World Cup, Riot Games’ LEC trophy, the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Kentucky Derby trophy, the ATP World Number One trophy, recently sponsored by PIF, Saudi Arabia’s King’s Cup, and many, many more.
Thomas Lyte’s silverware designers used detailed research and an understanding of esports culture, blending innovative craft and timeless design to create this unique piece of art. Drawing inspiration from various sources including art, architecture, nature, and of course, gaming, the final design emerged from over ten original concepts, each refined through hand-drawn sketches and 2D and 3D graphical illustrations.
The design perfectly encapsulates Saudi Arabia’s landscapes, esports culture, and the spirit of competition, featuring elements like palm trees and symbols of gaming. Fittingly, at the top of the stunning new Esports World Cup trophy, a crown sits on a globe, symbolising the status of the tournament’s champions as the Kings of Esports.
The effortlessly contemporary stem of the trophy is constructed through interweaving triangles inspired by the directional buttons of a game controller, forming the trunk of a palm tree, a natural combination for the host country. The handles of the trophy are twisted with metal resembling compacted computer wiring, and the tournament logo is prominently displayed on the base, with the trophy majestically rising behind it.
Standing at 60cm tall, the trophy is a beacon of prestige and excellence, handcrafted from over 9kg of sterling silver bullion and gold-plated, representing the highest honour for the world’s best esports athletes. This majestic piece, combining modern design with cultural elements, stands as a testament to the grandeur and significance of the Esports World Cup, embodying both tradition and innovation.
The Esports World Cup trophy was handcrafted using traditional silversmithing techniques like silver casting and metal filing, methods passed down by craftsmen for thousands of years. Thomas Lyte’s world-class team combined these ancient techniques with leading-edge technology, such as 3D modelling and 3D printing, to create a modern design using traditional metals and skills. The early stages of development saw the most use of 3D design and printing, with extensive prototyping employed to perfect the trophy’s complex shapes.
The body of the Esports World Cup trophy was cast in sterling silver in multiple sections, each meticulously filed and polished for hundreds of hours before being plated in 24-carat gold. The world-class team at Thomas Lyte’s fine silver workshops in London then carefully assembled the trophy, piece by piece, upon the trophy’s hand-spun base, ensuring every detail reflected the highest standards of craftsmanship and design.
The trophy is hallmarked by assayers for the UK government, guaranteeing the purity and fineness of the 925 sterling silver and marking the year of its creation.
The Esports World Cup is an elite multi-discipline esports competition set to take place annually in Saudi Arabia, starting in 2024. Scheduled for July and August in the world-class venue of Riyadh Boulevard City, the EWC will feature the largest prize pool in esports history. Over 25 esports organisations from around the globe (designated as “clubs” by EWC) will go head to head during this innovative competition. Showcasing the most popular esports titles across the major gaming genres, the EWC offers a new cross-game competition format that awards prizes for both individual game titles and club performances.
In addition to designing and making this innovative new trophy, Thomas Lyte is proud to have designed and hand-crafted other trophies within the world of Esports. This continually innovative landscape of elite sports requires ground breaking trophies that reflect the ambition of each new competition.
Joining the Esports World Cup in this illustrious list is the FIFA eWorld Cup, the LEC Trophy, the original League of Legends Summoner’s Cup and the eChampions League Trophy.
You can browse our full trophy gallery here.
Our team make the conceivable possible, while preserving traditional skills, pioneering modern methods, and promoting authentic British craft across the globe. Combining the latest technologies with centuries of knowledge, Thomas Lyte’s silver workshops in London, England house world-class facilities for an elite team of designers and makers, masters of their craft. Learn about 3D printing, electroforming and other new technologies that our team have introduced to our sustainable handcrafting process.
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Materials. 3D Printing, 24-carat gold plating
Workshop Processes. Casting, Spinning, 3D Printing, Filing, Sanding, Polishing, and Engraving
Thomas Lyte are proud to have designed and made the Esports World Cup.
Take a glance at these fast facts about the Esports World Cup trophy.
