(SeaPRwire) –   Paris is set to become the inaugural international host city for the EWC outside of Riyadh, accelerating the Esports Foundation’s long-term strategy for global rotation

Bringing together 2,000 competitors, 200 clubs, and millions of spectators from over 100 nations this summer, the premier global esports tournament arrives in a city renowned for international sports

[Media Kit]

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia and PARIS, May 20, 2026 — The Esports Foundation (EF) today announced that the 2026 edition of the Esports World Cup (EWC), the premier global gaming and esports event, will take place in Paris, France, from July 6 to August 23.

The Esports Foundation is guided by a long-term vision to expand its international tournaments and events by collaborating with global audiences, partners, and host markets over time. Following a comprehensive evaluation process, and in light of current regional circumstances, the Esports Foundation decided to fast-track its global rotation plans for the 2026 tournament, providing clarity and stability for players, clubs, publishers, partners, and fans worldwide, while maintaining the event’s scale, structure, and competitive standards.

“Riyadh played a key role in transforming the Esports World Cup into a global phenomenon,” stated Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation. “Riyadh is the birthplace of the EWC and remains a leading global hub for esports, driven by an incredible community of fans and a dedicated vision for the future of the sport. This year, we are thrilled to bring the EWC to Paris for its first-ever edition outside Saudi Arabia. Paris has hosted some of the world’s most iconic sporting events and stands as a premier global capital of sport, culture, and entertainment. Combined with the passion of French fans and the strong local support we have received, we look forward to gathering the global esports community there for the next chapter of the EWC. Paris now represents the first international destination in EWC history.”

This announcement follows the continuous growth of the Esports World Cup and its expanding global audience across previous editions held in Riyadh.

In 2025, the EWC attracted more than 750 million viewers worldwide and accumulated over 350 million hours watched, with peak concurrent viewership reaching nearly 8 million. The tournament was broadcast across 28 platforms through 97 media partners and over 800 channels in 35 languages, reaching fans in 140 countries.

This upcoming edition of the EWC will once again host over 2,000 players and 200 clubs from more than 100 countries, competing in 24 games across 25 tournaments for a share of an unprecedented prize pool exceeding $75 million.

Details regarding the new venue for EWC 2026 in Paris will be shared in the coming weeks. Clubs, teams, players, and ticket holders will be contacted directly. Additional information and Frequently Asked Questions are available on the official EWC 2026 Website.

To find out more about the EWC, visit esportsworldcup.com and follow the Esports Foundation on LinkedIn.

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The Esports Foundation (EF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the sustainable growth of esports on a global scale. Its mission is to elevate the sport, support players, and help shape a future where competitive gaming stands alongside the world’s most celebrated sports.

The Foundation’s premier event, the Esports World Cup (EWC), is the largest international celebration of competitive gaming. Centered around top-tier games, elite players, leading clubs, and life-changing prize pools, the EWC features an innovative cross-title format. For the first time, the world’s top esports organizations compete across multiple games for the ultimate honor, the EWC Club Championship, and a permanent place in esports history.

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