This will the first time the EWC is happening outside of Riyadh.
The Esports World Cup will take place in Paris in 2026, marking the first time the event has been held outside Riyadh. The announcement was published on the official Esports World Cup website on Thursday (21 May), following what the Esports Foundation described as an “extended evaluation process in light of the current regional situation”.
According to the statement, the Esports Foundation said the original long-term vision for the tournament was always to establish the competition as “a truly global platform for esports” by bringing the event to major cities around the world over time. The organisation added that it had decided to accelerate that international rotation for the 2026 edition.
Why is the Esports World Cup moving to Paris in 2026?
The Esports Foundation said the decision was made after an evaluation process connected to “the current regional situation”. It also stated that the move was intended to provide “clarity and stability” for fans, players, clubs and teams planning travel and attendance for the event.
“Riyadh helped turn the Esports World Cup into a global phenomenon,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation. “Riyadh is the home of EWC and one of the world’s leading hubs for esports, powered by an incredible community of fans and long-term ambition for the future of the sport.”
He added that “This year, we’re excited to bring EWC to Paris for its first edition outside Saudi Arabia. Paris has hosted some of the world’s biggest sporting events and is one of the great global capitals of sport, culture and entertainment. Together with the passion of French fans and the strong support we’ve received locally, we’re excited to bring the global esports community there for the next chapter of EWC." Reichert also said that Paris has now become the "first international chapter" in EWC history.”
The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, also commented on the announcement through his official X account:
“The EWC will be held in Paris! This is a first that honors us. Thank you to Saudi Arabia for its trust. We are ready to organize this 2026 e-sports World Cup. Very proud to welcome the world again,” he said.
What can players expect at EWC 2026 in Paris?
The announcement confirmed several details for the Paris event, including:
- More than 2,000 players participating
- Over 200 clubs
- Participants from more than 100 countries
- 24 games across 25 tournaments
- A prize pool exceeding US$75 million
What esports titles can fans expect at EWC 2026?
Games to be featured at the Esports World Cup 2026 include Dota 2, League of Legends, VALORANT, Teamfight Tactics, Counter-strike 2, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBG: Battlegrounds, Apex Legends, Overwatch, Honor of Kings, Call of Duty: Warzone, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, and more. For the full list of events and games, click here.
When is the Esports World Cup 2026 going to take place?
Events across different Esports titles will take place from 6 July to 23 August, 2026.
Where will the Esports World Cup 2026 take place?
EWC 2026 will take place in Paris. However, no further details on the exact location is available for now. Instead, the Esports Foundation announced that tickets for EWC 2026 in Paris will go on sale in the coming weeks alongside information about the venue, tournament schedule and fan experience.
