Esports World Cup 2026 to Move to Paris for July 6 to Aug. 23

The 2026 Esports World Cup will be held in Paris, France, marking the first time the major gaming festival will take place outside Saudi Arabia. The event is scheduled to run from July 6 to August 23, organizers announced.

The decision to relocate from Riyadh, the event's previous host, follows an extended review process by the Esports World Cup Foundation. Officials cited regional instability and security concerns as primary factors, aiming to provide clarity for participants and fans. The foundation framed the move as accelerating a long-term strategy to rotate the event internationally.

The festival will maintain its established scale and format. More than 2,000 players from over 200 clubs, representing more than 100 countries, are expected to compete. They will participate in 25 tournaments across 24 different video games, competing for a record-breaking prize pool exceeding $75 million. Details on the specific Paris venue, ticket sales, and the tournament schedule are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The relocation represents a significant shift for Saudi Arabia, which has used the event as a cornerstone of its strategy to become a global hub for media and...