Esports World Cup 2026 organizers at Esports Foundation have officially confirmed rumors about relocating the event from Saudi Arabia. The tournament will now be held in Paris. The announcement was published on the organizers’ social media channels.
The Esports Foundation stated that the Esports World Cup 2026 was originally envisioned as a global event hosted across major cities worldwide. According to the organization, ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East accelerated this shift, leading to the decision to relocate the tournament.
“This year we are excited to host EWC in Paris — it will be the first tournament outside Saudi Arabia. Paris has hosted some of the world’s biggest sporting events and is one of the global capitals of sport, culture, and entertainment. Together with the passion of French fans and the strong local support we received, we are excited to bring the global esports community there for the next chapter of EWC. Paris now becomes the first international stage in EWC history,” said Ralph Reichert, CEO of Esports Foundation.
Esports World Cup 2026 will run from July 6 to August 23. The event will feature 25 tournaments across 24 disciplines, with a total prize pool exceeding $75 million.
French President Emmanuel Macron has commented on the relocation of the Esports World Cup 2026 to Paris on his official X account:
“The EWC will take place in Paris! This is the first event of its kind, and it is a great honor for us. Thank you to Saudi Arabia for its trust. We are ready to organize this 2026 Esports World Cup. We are very proud to once again welcome the whole world.”
Recall that B8 advanced to the playoffs on the first day, while Oleksandr Kostyliev is on the verge of elimination at CS Asia Championships 2026.