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The Esports Foundation has officially announced that the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 will be hosted in Paris, France, marking the first time the global esports tournament will take place outside Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The tournament is scheduled to run from July 6 to August 23, 2026.
According to an Esports Foundation press release, the move is part of the organisation’s long-term vision to expand the Esports World Cup through international host city rotations and deeper collaboration with global audiences, publishers, partners, and esports communities worldwide. Following an extended evaluation process and considering the current regional situation, the Foundation said it decided to accelerate its international expansion plans for the 2026 edition.
The announcement marks a major milestone for the rapidly growing esports tournament, with Paris becoming the first international host city in EWC history. The French capital, known for hosting some of the world’s biggest sporting and entertainment events, is expected to provide a strong global stage for the competition.
Commenting on the decision, Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation, said Riyadh played a major role in turning the Esports World Cup into a global phenomenon and remains one of the leading hubs for esports worldwide. He added that the Foundation is now excited to bring the tournament to Paris, citing the city’s sporting culture, passionate fan base, and international appeal.
The Esports World Cup has witnessed massive global growth over the past few years. In 2025, the tournament reportedly reached more than 750 million viewers worldwide and generated over 350 million hours watched. The event was streamed across 28 platforms through 97 broadcast partners and more than 800 channels in 35 languages, reaching audiences in 140 countries.
The 2026 edition is expected to once again feature over 2,000 players and 200 esports clubs from more than 100 countries. Competitors will battle across 24 games and 25 tournaments for a prize pool exceeding USD 75 million, making it one of the biggest esports competitions globally.
The Foundation said details regarding the venue in Paris and additional event information will be announced in the coming weeks. Teams, players, clubs, and ticket holders are expected to receive direct communication regarding the transition and event arrangements.
