The world’s best esports players arrive in Paris today for the opening of the first international edition of the Esports World Cup, set to bring together more than 2,000 players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries.
- More than 1.5 million players competed through 330 globally-hosted Road to EWC qualification events
- Seven-week competition features 25 tournaments across 24 of the world’s most popular games and a record-breaking $75 million prize pool
- Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen return as Esports World Cup Global Ambassadors
- 5,000 co-streamers, up 42% YoY, and over 100 global broadcast partners set to deliver the largest global broadcast in esports history, with more than 7,000 hours of live content produced over the next two months
PARIS, France (July 8, 2026): Today, the world’s best esports players arrive in Paris as the Esports Foundation officially opens the 2026 Esports World Cup, marking the first international edition of the world’s largest esports and gaming event. Running through August 23 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, EWC 2026 brings together more than 2,000 elite players, 200 leading esports Clubs from over 100 countries, competing across 25 tournaments in 24 of the world’s most popular games for a share of a record-breaking $75 million prize pool.
Their arrival in Paris follows the largest Road to EWC qualification program in history, with more than 1.5 million players competing across 330 tournaments, publisher leagues and premier international circuits to earn their place on the world’s biggest esports stage.
With 3.6 billion gamers worldwide, gaming has become a global language, connecting people across every continent, culture and community. Paris gives EWC 2026 a global stage equal to its ambition, highlighting the next chapter of the Esports World Cup: a competition built to travel across borders, unite the global esports ecosystem, and showcase competitive gaming as a modern global sport.
Today’s Opening Press Conference at the Hôtel de Ville marked more than the start of competition. With opening remarks by Emmanuel Grégoire, the Mayor of the City of Paris, the event reflected the city’s official welcome to the global esports community and the growing role of competitive gaming within contemporary sport, culture and youth entertainment.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation: Competitive gaming has always had great players, great games and unforgettable champions and the Esports World Cup brings them together on one defining annual stage. Over seven weeks in Paris, every title crowns its own winner, but every result also feeds into the bigger race for the Club Championship, which he says is what sets EWC apart by rewarding depth and consistency, not just individual brilliance.
HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Board Member of the Esports Foundation: EWC began in Saudi Arabia from the belief that esports deserves a global stage matching the passion of its players and fans. He noted Riyadh remains the event’s home and foundation, while Paris marks an exciting new chapter, and thanked President Macron and French authorities for their partnership.
Marina Ferrari, French Minister of Sports, Youth, and Community Life: Hosting the first international edition in Paris is a source of pride for France, built on close collaboration with the Esports Foundation. She pointed to France’s recent track record hosting major sporting events and noted a national esports development strategy for 2026–2030 will be presented in the fall.
EWC 2026 also sees the return of Global Ambassadors Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen, reflecting the event’s growing position at the intersection of sport, gaming and global culture.
At the heart of the Esports World Cup is the Club Championship, a seven-week race crowning the world’s best Club across multiple games rewarding consistency, depth and resilience, not just star power. Of the $75 million prize pool, $30 million will be awarded through the Club Championship standings, including $7 million for the winning Club, as Team Falcons looks to defend its title after consecutive wins in 2024 and 2025.
Fans in 160 countries will be able to follow the Esports World Cup live across 100 broadcast and OTT partners and streaming platforms, with more than 7,000 hours of live programming produced throughout the competition. Coverage will be available in more than 40 languages through a global network including DAZN, FOX Sports, France Télévisions, Eurosport, HBO Max, CBS Sports Network, and major platforms across China, Asia, MENA, Europe, Africa and the Americas.
Up to 5,000 official co-streamers will further expand EWC’s reach through its Creator Program, up 42% year-over-year.
EWC 2026 is supported by a global coalition of partners including stc, Qiddiya, Lenovo, Sony Group Corporation, Allianz, Aramco, Saudia, Hilton, OBSBOT, ALBAIK, Secretlab, Webook, and NRJ.
The competition will crown champions across 25 tournaments in 24 of the world’s biggest esports titles, including Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Call of Duty: Warzone, Chess, Counter-Strike 2, Crossfire, Dota 2, EA SPORTS FC 26, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, Fortnite, Free Fire, Honor of Kings, League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Overwatch 2, PUBG MOBILE, PUBG: Battlegrounds, Rainbow Six Siege X, Rocket League, Street Fighter 6, Teamfight Tactics, Tekken 8, Trackmania and VALORANT.
About the Esports World Cup
The Esports World Cup is the world’s premier annual competition for elite esports Clubs and a global celebration of competitive gaming. Featuring a unique cross-game format that crowns the world’s best Club across multiple titles, the Esports World Cup brings together the industry’s leading players, teams, publishers and fans on one global stage. Hosted in Paris, France, in the summer of 2026, it continues the Esports Foundation’s mission to advance esports as a leading global sport.
Also Read: How To Watch Esports World Cup 2026: Live Stream And Schedule
