The 2026 eSports World Cup will move to Paris, marking the beginning of a new era of global tour.

The Esports Foundation officially announced today that the Esports World Cup 2026 will be held in Paris, France, from July 6 to August 23 this year.

This marks the first time since its inception in 2024 that the world's largest esports event has moved outside of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, officially launching its long-awaited global rotating hosting mechanism.

French President Emmanuel Macron warmly received Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation, at the Élysée Palace, highlighting the French government's high regard for the event.

The official press release stated that this decision was made in light of the "current regional situation" and after in-depth assessment. Due to the situation in the Middle East and widespread flight cancellations, keeping this nearly eight-week-long competition involving thousands of people in Riyadh posed significant logistical risks.

With several major airlines having suspended relevant routes, the foundation ultimately decided to accelerate its international tour program in order to mitigate the risks of supply chain and transportation disruptions.

The official statement emphasized that Riyadh remains the "home" of the eSports World Cup and a global eSports hub. This relocation is not a permanent break; Paris simply hosted the event earlier than expected.

The 2026 Esports World Cup will maintain its top-tier status. More than 2,000 players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries will gather in Paris. The tournament will feature 24 games and 25 independent events, with a total prize pool exceeding $75 million.

Highly anticipated entries include:

• "League of Legends"

• Valorant

• Dota 2

• Counter-Strike 2

• Street Fighter 6

  
  

While specific venues will be announced in the coming weeks, Paris’s extensive sports infrastructure will offer spectators a new, multi-venue, distributed carnival experience.

Image source: Internet