JAKARTA - The Esports Foundation (EF) officially announced that the 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC) will be held in Paris, France. This world's largest esports and gaming competition is scheduled to take place from July 6 to August 23, 2026.
This step marks a new chapter for the EWC, after the previous few seasons were a great success in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Acceleration of Global Vision and Rotation of EWC Hosts
The Esports Foundation has a long-term vision to make the EWC an international tournament platform that rotates in various parts of the world. After going through a thorough evaluation process and considering the current regional conditions, the EF decided to accelerate the rotation of the host city in the 2026 EWC.
This decision was taken to provide clarity and stability for players, clubs, publishers, partners, and fans around the world, without reducing the scale, structure, and competitive integrity of the tournament.
"Riyadh has helped make the Esports World Cup a global phenomenon. As hosts, Riyadh is known as one of the leading esports centers supported by an incredible community," said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation.
"This year, we are excited to bring the EWC to Paris for its inaugural tournament outside of Saudi Arabia. Paris has hosted many of the world's biggest sporting events and is known as a global hub for sports, culture, and entertainment. With the enthusiasm of fans in France, we are ready to bring the global esports community to the next level."
EWC 2025 Success Rewind
The announcement of this relocation confirms the continued growth of the Esports World Cup. In the 2025 edition, EWC recorded an extraordinary statistic:
Audience reach: More than 750 million viewers worldwide. Total broadcast hours: More than 350 million broadcast hours. Peak Viewership: The highest number of simultaneous viewers approaching 8 million. Broadcast distribution: Broadcast via 28 platforms by 97 broadcasting partners on more than 800 channels in 35 languages, reaching fans in 140 countries.EWC 2026: Total Prize of USD 75 Million Fantastic
At this year's event in Paris, EWC 2026 will once again make history with a massive scale of competition. This tournament will feature:
More than 2,000 players More than 200 clubs from 100 different countries 24 games contested in 25 tournaments The largest prize pool in esports history worth more than USD 75 million (around Rp1.1 Trillion).More information regarding the detailed and technical schedule of the 2026 EWC in Paris will be announced in the coming weeks.
For clubs, teams, players, and fans who already have tickets, the committee will contact them directly. More information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) can be accessed through the official EWC 2026 website at esportsworldcup.com or follow the latest developments through the Esports World Cup Foundation LinkedIn account.
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