Esports World Cup 2026 officially moves to Paris
This year's tournament will feature over $75 million in prize money
The Esports Foundation has confirmed that the 2026 edition of the Esports World Cup (EWC) will take place in Paris, France, marking the first time the tournament will be hosted outside Saudi Arabia.
Scheduled to run from July 6th to August 23rd, the event was originally expected to return to Riyadh before growing speculation around a possible relocation emerged in recent weeks. Organisers said the decision followed an “extended evaluation process” and was made in light of the “current regional situation.”
“Riyadh helped turn the Esports World Cup into a global phenomenon,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation. “This year, we’re excited to bring EWC to Paris for its first edition outside Saudi Arabia.”
Long-term ambitions
The foundation said the move aligns with its longer-term ambition of expanding the tournament internationally while maintaining its competitive scale and structure.
EWC 2026 is expected to feature more than 2,000 players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries competing across 24 games and 25 tournaments. The event will also offer a prize pool exceeding $75 million.
Despite the relocation, other major esports events in Saudi Arabia remain on schedule, including the inaugural Esports Nations Cup in Riyadh later this year.
