Paris to host Esports World Cup 2026

RIYADH: The Esports Foundation announced on Wednesday that the 2026 edition of the Esports World Cup will be held in Paris, the first time the event will take place outside Riyadh.

The tournament will run from July 6 to Aug. 23 and is expected to bring together more than 2,000 players and 200 clubs from more than 100 countries.

The Esports Foundation said the move reflects a long-term strategy to expand the tournament internationally through rotating host cities while maintaining Riyadh as the home of the competition.

The decision to stage the 2026 event in Paris followed what organizers described as an extended evaluation process and came “in light of the current regional situation.”

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation, said: “Riyadh helped turn the Esports World Cup into a global phenomenon,” adding: “Riyadh is the home of EWC and one of the world’s leading hubs for esports.”

Organizers said the French capital was selected because of its global sporting profile and strong local support for esports and gaming events.

The Esports World Cup has grown rapidly since launching in Saudi Arabia, attracting a worldwide audience of more than 750 million viewers in 2025, according to organizers.

Last year’s edition generated more than 350 million hours watchtime and was broadcast on 28 platforms by 97 partners in 35 languages, reaching viewers in 140 countries.

The 2026 competition will feature 24 games across 25 tournaments, with players competing for a prize pool exceeding $75 million.

Further details about the Paris venue are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.