The Esports World Cup (EWC) is leaving its Saudi home for the first time, with Paris set to host the 2026 edition of the tournament from July 6 to August 23.
The Esports Foundation announced the move on Wednesday, describing it as part of a long-term strategy to rotate the event across international cities. Organizers said that the decision followed an extended evaluation process and came “in light of the current regional situation.”
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation, credited the tournament’s Saudi roots for its rise to prominence. “Riyadh helped turn the Esports World Cup into a global phenomenon,” he said. “Riyadh is the home of EWC and one of the world’s leading hubs for esports.”
The Foundation emphasised that Paris earned the hosting rights because of its global sporting profile and strong local support for gaming and esports events. The specific Paris venue has yet to be confirmed, with further details expected in the coming weeks.
The 2026 competition will feature 24 games across 25 tournaments, with more than 2,000 players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries taking part. The total prize pool will exceed $75 million.
The tournament has expanded rapidly since it launched in Saudi Arabia. The 2025 edition drew a worldwide audience of more than 750 million viewers, generated over 350 million hours of watch time, and reached viewers across 140 countries through 97 broadcast partners on 28 platforms in 35 languages.
