2026/07/08 19:23

The Esports World Cup Foundation announced the launch of the 2026 Esports World Cup in the French capital, Paris, marking the first edition of the tournament to be held outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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The tournament, considered the largest globally in the esports sector, takes place at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and runs until August 23, 2026, featuring more than 2,000 players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments across 24 of the world's most popular esports titles for a share of a record total prize pool of $75 million. The move of the Esports World Cup to Paris marks a new phase in its global expansion, as the French capital is one of the world's leading cities in sports, culture, and hosting major international events. This step embodies the Esports World Cup Foundation's vision to develop its tournaments as global platforms that move between cities and unite the international esports ecosystem, contributing to cementing competitive esports as a modern global sport.

The Paris City Hall (Hôtel de Ville) hosted the opening press conference of the tournament, a step reflecting the city's official welcome to the global esports community and the growing role of competitive esports within sports, culture, and entertainment. The conference began with an opening speech by His Excellency Emmanuel Grégoire, Mayor of Paris, followed by speeches from official speakers: His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Member of the Board of Directors of the Esports World Cup Foundation and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Esports Federation; Her Excellency Marina Ferrari, French Minister of Sports, Youth, and Community Life; and Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation.

His Excellency Emmanuel Grégoire, Mayor of Paris, delivers the opening speech at the opening press conference of the 2026 Esports World Cup in Paris

His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud said: 'The Esports World Cup launched in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with an ambitious vision that believed in the power and impact of esports and their position as a leading sports and entertainment platform for the next generation. Esports deserves a global platform that matches the passion of its players, the dedication of its clubs, the creativity of its game publishers, and the commitment of its fans, and today the Esports World Cup has become that platform that brings the world together through a shared passion for gaming and esports.' He added: 'Riyadh will always remain the home and foundation of the Esports World Cup, but our ambition has always been for this tournament to reach the entire world. This ambition has brought us to Paris today to begin a new and exciting chapter for the global esports community. I extend my thanks to His Excellency French President Emmanuel Macron and our friends in France for their support and partnership that helped make this moment a reality. Together, we embody the unique power of esports and their ability to unite the world.' Her Excellency Marina Ferrari, French Minister of Sports, Youth, and Community Life, said: 'Hosting the first international edition of the Esports World Cup in Paris is a great source of pride for France. I would like to commend the commitment of the Esports World Cup Foundation and the close cooperation between it and the French authorities throughout the preparation phase for this event. This trust-based partnership has been a key element that enabled us to rise together to the challenge of organizing the Esports World Cup in Paris.' She added: 'Building on the legacy established by the major sporting events hosted by France in recent years, the state once again affirms its ability to host the world's largest international competitions and showcase its expertise in this field. The Esports World Cup embodies a long-term vision for the future of esports in France, and we will strive to achieve this vision starting next fall when we present our national strategy for esports development between 2026 and 2030, through which we aim to contribute to organizing this sector, supporting emerging talent, and strengthening the international presence of the French esports ecosystem.' Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said: 'Competitive gaming has always seen exceptional players, popular games, and champions who have etched history in tournaments with their achievements. The Esports World Cup brings all of that together on a unified and exceptional platform. Over seven weeks in Paris, each game will crown its own champion, while every result contributes to a larger race for the club championship. This is what sets the Esports World Cup apart: it not only rewards individual excellence but also celebrates the spirit, status, continuity, and ambition of clubs as an integrated ecosystem.'