Esports World Cup 2026 Moves to Paris with Record $75M Prize Pool
The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 will head to Paris for its next edition. Running from July 6 to August 23, this marks the first time the tournament will take place outside Saudi Arabia. Organisers have promised further details through the official EWC 2026 website as planning continues. The Esports Foundation selected France after a lengthy review process. Ralf Reichert, the foundation’s CEO, confirmed the Paris event following a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. The decision builds on the city’s recent experience hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The 2026 edition will feature over 2,000 players and 200 clubs from more than 100 countries. Competitors will battle across 24 games and 25 tournaments for a total prize pool exceeding $75 million. The previous edition in 2025 drew over 750 million viewers and logged more than 350 million hours watched. The foundation will reach out directly to clubs, teams, players, and fans with updates on tickets and participation. All official announcements will also be shared on the EWC 2026 website.
Paris will become the first city outside Saudi Arabia to host the Esports World Cup. With a record prize pool and a global audience, the event is set to be one of the largest in esports history. Further details on participation and scheduling will follow in the coming months.
