Esports World Cup 2026 to be Hosted in Paris, France

The Esports Foundation has officially relocated the 2026 Esports World Cup from Riyadh to Paris, marking the first international expansion for the multi-title tournament. This decision was driven by a desire to accelerate the event's global rotation strategy and respond to the current regional situation while ensuring logistical stability for participating clubs and fans. The move highlights the EWC's long-term ambition to become a worldwide platform, leveraging Paris’s established infrastructure and passionate esports community before a planned return to Saudi Arabia in 2027.

The Esports Foundation has announced that the 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC) will be relocated from Riyadh to Paris, France, marking the first time the competition will be held outside of Saudi Arabia. Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation, stated that while Riyadh remains the "home of EWC," the decision to move the 2026 edition was made to accelerate the event's international rotation strategy. This move follows an extended evaluation of the current regional situation, with organizers prioritizing the stability and clarity needed for players, clubs, and fans to plan their attendance and travel.

Paris was selected as the host city due to its international accessibility, robust infrastructure, and its reputation as a global capital for sports and entertainment. The Esports Foundation noted that the decision was made in close coordination with stakeholders across the ecosystem to ensure the event maintains its elite competitive conditions at a global scale. While the venue is changing, the competition's core format remains the same, including the games featured in the Club Championship. Organizers indicated that while the overall event dates are unchanged, there may be minor shifts in the specific tournament schedules to accommodate the new location.

To manage the transition, the Esports Foundation confirmed that all tickets purchased for the original Riyadh event will be automatically refunded within 21 working days. New tickets for the Paris edition are expected to go on sale in the coming weeks, with original ticket holders receiving special promotional codes for the new platform. Although Paris represents the first international chapter in EWC history, the organization emphasized that Riyadh remains central to the long-term vision of the tournament, with the intention to return to the Saudi capital for the 2027 edition. Details regarding the specific Paris venue and the EWC Festival will be released in the near future.