The Esports World Cup 2026 kicks off its opening week with four main tournaments, along with the last-chance qualifiers for EA Sports FC 26, in a start that reflects the growing esports industry as one of the fastest-growing entertainment sectors, with expectations of attracting tens of thousands of fans and millions of viewers across streaming platforms.

The tournament returns this year with a record total prize pool of $75 million, distributed across 24 of the world's biggest games.

Opening ceremony: Fans are anticipating the tournament's opening ceremony on July 8 at the La Seine Musicale theater in Paris, alongside ongoing competitions at several venues within the city, as the tournament bets on strengthening its global presence through a mix of major competitions and side events that support tourism and spending related to the entertainment sector.

Valorant: A Strong Start with 16 Teams — The Valorant tournament tops the competition schedule, with the group stage having started on July 2 featuring 16 teams competing to reach the elimination rounds. The title will be decided on July 12 with the third-place match followed by the final.

40 Teams Compete for Apex Legends Title — The Qiddiya Arena hosts the Apex Legends Global Series tournament, bringing together 40 of the world's best teams competing for a prize pool of $2 million. The tournament begins with a group stage, followed by a survival stage, before reaching the grand final on July 12, held in a 'match point' format.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves Title Decided on July 11 — The Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves competition starts on July 8 after the last-chance qualifiers are completed, with 16 players competing for the title, which will be decided on July 11, amid anticipation for elite fighting game player matchups.

Dota 2 Extends into Second Week — Dota 2 returns to the tournament with 16 teams competing for a total prize pool of $3 million. The group stage takes place during the first week, while the elimination rounds and final extend into the second week, ensuring continued fan excitement.

Last Chance for the Main Tournament — The last-chance qualifiers for EA Sports FC 26 kick off on July 9 in the STC Contenders zone, where players compete for the final spots qualifying for the main tournament, in a crucial opportunity to continue their journey toward the title.

Esports Continue to Attract Investments — The tournament continues to solidify its position as a platform bringing together the biggest game publishers, professional teams, and commercial sponsors, as the esports industry experiences rapid growth in investments, streaming revenues, and sponsorship. This reinforces its role as an economic driver for the digital entertainment sector and for attracting visitors and tourism spending.