The international esports tournament WEC 2025, originally scheduled to take place in Lviv this autumn, has been officially canceled. The decision was driven not only by the ongoing war in Ukraine but also by a series of controversial actions from the International Esports Federation (IESF), which signed an agreement with the Ukrainian organizers back in April.
On April 25, an agreement was signed between IESF and the Ukrainian organizing community HOST ESUL, represented by Denys Davydov. The contract envisioned a large-scale international championship to be held in Lviv in the fall of 2025. At the time, optimistic forecasts regarding potential peace talks between Ukraine and Russia (held in May and June) created grounds to begin organizational preparations.
However, by June the situation in Ukraine deteriorated significantly. Massive missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Lviv, led to stricter restrictions imposed by military administrations. In the Lviv region — as in many others — a ban on mass public events was enacted for safety reasons. Authorities did not issue permission for the tournament, which was set to involve foreign delegations, large gatherings of spectators, and wide media coverage.
At the same time, the organizers began receiving unusual requests regarding the financing of the event. According to the agreement, HOST ESUL was to transfer an initial payment of $1,000,000 by May 15. However, as Denys Davydov reports, IESF Secretary General Boban Totovski requested the funds be sent not to IESF’s official account, but instead to a private cryptocurrency wallet allegedly owned by one of the federation’s officials — with a promise to “forward it later.” This “scheme” raised immediate red flags and was rejected by the Ukrainian side, which is legally bound to operate within both national and international regulations, especially under martial law.
Following the refusal to carry out an informal payment, a campaign of pressure and discreditation against the Ukrainian organizer reportedly began. On July 4, Denys Davydov formally contacted the federation, requesting the termination of the agreement under force majeure provisions — specifically Article 8.1 of the contract. He cited the unpredictable duration of the war, the administrative ban on mass gatherings, and the real threat to the lives of participants as grounds for the termination.
However, instead of providing a constructive response, IESF unexpectedly issued a circular on July 7 to all national federations, stating that the tournament had already been canceled on June 23. Why this decision was not officially communicated for two full weeks remains unexplained. This retroactive announcement raises suspicions of an attempt to avoid reputational or financial responsibility.
The Ukrainian side emphasizes that it acted strictly within the boundaries of law and wartime logic — prioritizing safety, legal transparency, and accountability. The story of WEC 2025 is yet another reminder that international sports initiatives during wartime require not just enthusiasm, but a realistic and responsible approach from all parties involved.
