E-sports World Cup will be held in Paris in 2026, marking the first time the global gaming tournament will take place outside Riyadh as organizers accelerate plans to internationalize the event amid shifting regional dynamics.
Esports Foundation said the decision followed an extended evaluation process and was aimed at providing “clarity and stability” for players, clubs, publishers and commercial partners while preserving the tournament’s scale and competitive structure.
“Riyadh helped turn the Esports World Cup into a global phenomenon,” said Ralf Reichert, chief executive officer of the Esports Foundation.
“Riyadh is the home of EWC and one of the world’s leading hubs for esports, powered by an incredible community of fans and long-term ambition for the future of the sport,” Reichert said. “This year, we’re excited to bring EWC to Paris for its first edition outside Saudi Arabia.”
The move underscores how esports is increasingly positioning itself as a mainstream global entertainment and sports business capable of drawing massive audiences, sponsorships and international host-city competition.
Paris, which hosted the 2024 Olympic Games and several major international sporting events, was selected partly because of its global sports profile and strong local support for gaming and digital entertainment, the foundation said.
The Esports World Cup has grown rapidly since its launch in Riyadh, benefiting from Saudi Arabia’s aggressive push to establish itself as a global gaming and esports hub through large-scale investments and tournament hosting.
According to organizers, the 2025 edition attracted more than 750 million viewers worldwide and generated over 350 million hours watched. Peak concurrent viewership approached 8 million viewers.
The event was broadcast across 28 platforms through 97 broadcast partners and more than 800 channels in 35 languages, reaching audiences in 140 countries.
The rapid expansion of esports is increasingly resonating beyond traditional gaming markets in Asia, Europe and North America, with growing interest emerging across Africa.
In Ghana, “The High Street Talk” is scheduled to host an X discussion on May 26 themed “The $5 Billion Digital Pitch: Inside the World of E-sports,” focusing on the industry’s rising commercial value and global audience growth.
The 2026 edition of the Esports World Cup is expected to feature more than 2,000 players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries competing in 24 games across 25 tournaments for a prize pool exceeding $75 million.
The expanding commercial scale of esports is fueling rising investor interest in gaming leagues, streaming platforms, sponsorship rights and digital media partnerships as publishers and tournament operators compete for global audiences.
The broader esports ecosystem, including media rights, advertising, sponsorships and tournament revenues, is now worth several billion dollars annually and continues to attract younger consumers increasingly shifting away from traditional sports broadcasting.
