Esports World Cup 2026 heads to Paris — first time outside Riyadh
EWC 2026 will be held in Paris from July 6 to August 23, featuring 2,000+ players, 200+ clubs, 24 games, and over $75 million in prize money.
The Esports World Cup is leaving Riyadh for the first time. EWC 2026 will take place in Paris from July 6 to August 23, the Esports Foundation confirmed on May 21.
This marks a major shift for the tournament that launched in Saudi Arabia in 2024. The Esports Foundation described it as the “first international chapter” in EWC history, following what CEO Ralf Reichert called “an extended evaluation process in light of the current regional situation.”
By the numbers:
- 2,000+ players
- 200+ clubs
- 100+ countries represented
- 24 games across 25 tournaments
- Prize pool exceeding $75 million
Games confirmed so far include: Dota 2, League of Legends, VALORANT, CS2, PUBG, Apex Legends, Overwatch, Honor of Kings, Call of Duty: Warzone, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, Teamfight Tactics, and more. The full list is available on the EWC website.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the announcement on X: “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.”
Reichert was clear that Riyadh remains the home of EWC: “Riyadh helped turn the Esports World Cup into a global phenomenon. Paris has now become the first international chapter in EWC history.”
Why Paris? The Esports Foundation said the move was intended to provide “clarity and stability” for fans, players, clubs and teams planning travel. Paris has hosted some of the world’s biggest sporting events and is “one of the great global capitals of sport, culture and entertainment.”
Tickets will go on sale in the coming weeks alongside venue details, tournament schedule, and fan experience information. The entire event runs across nearly eight weeks — significantly longer than the Riyadh editions.
For Dota 2 teams specifically, EWC 2026 falls right in the middle of the TI15 qualifying season. Several top squads including SumaiL and Lorenof’s new Nigma Galaxy roster will be balancing EWC preparation with TI qualifiers. The scheduling crunch is real, and some teams might have to choose where to focus their energy.
The $75 million+ prize pool makes EWC 2026 one of the richest esports events ever organized. Whether it can match the prestige of TI or the history of the Majors remains to be seen, but the ambition is there.