Gaming
Esports World Cup 2026 heads to Paris in first global move
Global gaming’s biggest showdown picks Paris, marking EWC’s first international host city
MUMBAI – Talk about a power-up. The Esports World Cup 2026 is packing its bags for Paris, marking the first time the world’s biggest esports event will be staged outside its original home in Riyadh.
The move, announced by the Esports Foundation on Thursday, signals a major strategic shift as the organisation accelerates its long-term plan to rotate the tournament internationally. The 2026 edition will run from 6 July to 23 August, bringing elite gamers, clubs and millions of fans to one of Europe’s most iconic sporting capitals.
For the Foundation, the decision is about more than geography. It is a statement of intent. Speaking on the announcement, Esports Foundation chief executive officer Ralf Reichert said Riyadh had helped transform the tournament into a global phenomenon, but added that Paris represents the next chapter in that journey, combining world-class sporting heritage with strong local enthusiasm for esports.
That next chapter comes with serious scale. Organisers say the 2026 event will once again host more than 2,000 players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries, competing across 24 games and 25 tournaments for a record prize pool worth more than $75 million.
It also arrives on the back of a blockbuster 2025 edition. According to organisers, last year’s tournament drew over 750 million viewers globally, generated 350 million-plus hours watched, and peaked at nearly 8 million concurrent viewers, underlining esports’ growing mainstream pull.
While Riyadh remains closely tied to the tournament’s identity, the shift to Paris reflects a broader ambition to build a truly global sporting property, one capable of travelling to major markets while maintaining competitive consistency.
Details of the Paris venue are expected in the coming weeks, with ticket holders and participating teams set to receive direct updates.
For now, one thing is clear: the Esports World Cup 2026 has officially entered its international era, and Paris gets the first respawn.
