The Esports World Cup 2026 will be hosted in Paris, France from July 6 to August 23, marking the first time the event will take place outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The announcement was made by the Esports Foundation, which said Paris becomes the first international host city for the tournament following previous editions held in Riyadh.
According to the Esports Foundation, the move is part of its long-term plan to rotate the Esports World Cup across different countries. The organization also said the decision was accelerated following evaluations tied to the current regional situation, while aiming to provide stability for players, clubs, publishers, and partners ahead of the 2026 season. The move is also related to the increasing tensions in the Middle East and puts safety in mind for its players and attendees.
The tournament is expected to bring together more than 2,000 players and 200 esports clubs from over 100 countries. Players will compete across 24 games and 25 tournaments for a prize pool exceeding $75 million.
EWC has grown rapidly since launching in Riyadh. The organization said the 2025 edition reached more than 750 million viewers worldwide and generated over 350 million hours watched. Broadcast coverage was spread across 28 platforms, 97 broadcast partners, and more than 800 channels in 35 languages.
Esports Foundation CEO Ralf Reichert said Riyadh remains the home of EWC and one of the major hubs for esports globally, but described Paris as a natural fit for the tournament’s first international edition because of its history with major sporting and entertainment events.