On Wednesday, the 2026 Esports World Cup competitions kicked off in the French capital Paris, 'the first edition to be held outside the Kingdom,' with record participation of over 2,000 male and female players representing 200 clubs from more than 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments across 24 esports titles, with a total prize pool of $75 million.

The Paris City Hall 'Hôtel de Ville' hosted the opening press conference, with extensive media coverage, reflecting the city's official welcome for hosting the global event, which runs until August 23 at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan during the conference (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire opened the conference with a speech welcoming the French capital's hosting of the first edition outside Saudi Arabia, expressing Paris's pride in taking over the hosting flag. He affirmed that the city supports the esports ecosystem in all its elements, from training and education to scientific research, noting that the goal is to build an integrated system giving the best a chance to win, and wishing all players the best performance during the competitions, thanking the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Esports Foundation for trusting them to host the event.

Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation Board and member of the Esports Foundation Board, affirmed that the tournament represents a vision launched from the Kingdom to unite the world through esports, transforming it into a global platform bringing together players, clubs, publishers, and fans under the umbrella of competition and innovation.

Prince Faisal said: 'When people look at the Esports World Cup, the first thing that catches their attention is the magnitude of the event, but behind all that is a bigger story... It is a story of a vision born in the Kingdom,' adding that Riyadh will remain the tournament's main headquarters and the launchpad for its global journey, while Paris represents a new station in its international expansion.

He pointed out that the future of esports will not be made by one entity, but will be built through collaboration, investment, innovation, and providing opportunities for players, content creators, and entrepreneurs around the world.

️| Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, during the press conference: - When people look at the Esports World Cup, the first thing that catches their attention is the magnitude of the event, from the record prize money and impressive production to the participation of the best players in the world, but behind... pic.twitter.com/oSzJG0Neoc

— Asharq Al-Awsat Sports (@aawsat_spt) July 8, 2026

For his part, Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation, explained that moving the tournament to a new city was a major challenge, but all decisions were made in the interest of players and clubs.

He said: 'The World Cup is not just a stop on the competition calendar, but the culmination of a full year of training, qualification, travel, and competitive pressure,' stressing that the Foundation was keen to protect the integrity of the tournament, preserve player prizes, and work with game publishers, clubs, and sponsors to ensure the best experience for fans.

In turn, Marina Ferrari, French Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life, affirmed that France's success in hosting the 2024 Paris Olympics boosted its confidence in organizing major global sporting events, noting that hosting the Esports World Cup is an opportunity to enhance French expertise and create new opportunities for local businesses.

The conference opened with a speech by Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire, who welcomed the tournament's hosting, reaffirming the city's support for the esports ecosystem through education, training, and scientific research, expressing Paris's pride in taking over the hosting flag after the Kingdom, and calling on all players to give their best.

In exclusive remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Faisal bin Hamran, CEO of Esports at the Esports Foundation, said that the Foundation aims for the Saudi visitor to have an integrated experience that combines following the competitions and enjoying the accompanying entertainment events in the French capital.

️| Faisal bin Hamran, CEO of Esports at the Esports Foundation, during his remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat: - Our goal for the Saudi visitor to the tournament is to enjoy as much as possible and to have fun with the entertainment events available in Paris. pic.twitter.com/3MC8vRytyY

— Asharq Al-Awsat Sports (@aawsat_spt) July 8, 2026

For his part, Musaid Al-Dosari, President of Falcons Club, affirmed that the Saudi player has today become a role model on the global stage, noting that winning two titles in the Esports World Cup has strengthened the Kingdom's presence and impact in international competitions.

As for Ibrahim bin Jibreen, CEO of Twisted Minds Club, he explained that the club reduced the number of games it participates in this year to manage costs and focus on selecting the best players capable of competing.

️| Musaid Al-Dosari, President of the Saudi Falcons team, to Asharq Al-Awsat: - I believe that the Saudi player today has become a role model. We won two Esports World Cup titles, and our impact has become significant. pic.twitter.com/0nvqLqmWWS

— Asharq Al-Awsat Sports (@aawsat_spt) July 8, 2026

In the same context, Mohammed Al-Nemer, CEO of Commercial Affairs, affirmed that all Saudi sponsors and brands are of great importance to the tournament, stressing that each partner has added value and a different role in supporting the esports ecosystem, without favoring any particular brand.