The international video game competition will last for three days at the San Jose Convention Center. This is the first time the Cup is being held in the U.S.
Participants earned their spots through more than eight months of national qualifying rounds, according to world cup Web site.
Gamers will compete for prizes of up to $40,000. A total of about $200,000 in prize money will have been awarded by the end of the competition.
The major games will be broadcast on a large screen in the convention center and will include commentary by electronic sports specialists, according to the city.
Gamers will participate in one of six competitions: Counter-Strike, Counter-Strike Women, Defense of the Ancients, Quake III, Trackmania Nations Forever or Warcraft III.
"San Jose is excited to host this global event and welcome competitors from around the world to our city," said Dan Fenton, president of the San Jose Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
The finals will be held Wednesday.
