Paris to Host Esports World Cup as Middle East Tensions Move Event From Riyadh.

The Esports Foundation announced on 20 May 2026 that the Esports World Cup (EWC) will move from Riyadh to Paris for its 2026 edition, running 6 July through 23 August.

For the last two editions of the e-Sports world cup Saudi Arabia has been the host, 2024 and 2025. Escalating military conflict in the Middle East, including drone and missile strikes near Riyadh, has disrupted international air travel to Saudi Arabia and forced the hand of a major global eSports event. The Esports Foundation confirmed on 20 May 2026 that this years edition will be hosted in Paris, France. This marks the the first time the event has left Saudi Arabia. 

The decision was driven by practical logistics, not strategy. Riyadh and King Khalid International Airport came under repeated drone and missile strikes in early 2026. This resulted from the ongoing conflict involving Iran, and multiple airlines reduced or suspended flights to the region. With more than 2,000 players and staff drawn from over 100 countries expected to attend, organizers determined that maintaining the Riyadh venue was not viable.

The Esports Foundation cited the need to provide clarity and stability for players, clubs, partners, and fans. They stated that delaying the event was not an option. The relocation also follows the cancellation of the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April 2026. Insecurity in the area pushing for these changes.

Changed Venue but Unchanged Scale and Format.

Despite the change in venue, The Esports Foundation confirmed that all announced titles, competitive formats, and the overall structure of The Esports World Cup remain unchanged.

The 2026 EWC will feature more than 2,000 players representing 200 clubs from over 100 countries. They will compet across 25 tournaments spanning 24 titles, for a record prize pool exceeding $75 million. Of that total, $30 million is allocated to the Club Championship with the overall winner taking $7 million. The remaining sum is distributed across the individual game tournaments. The 2025 edition carried a prize pool of more than $70 million.

A slight shift in the tournament schedule is possible as a result of the venue change. Esports Foundation noting that broadcast scheduling will be adapted to European time zones. E-Sports World cup 2026 will run from 6 July through 23 August 2026.

The event will be hosted at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. It should be noted that this is the same venue that held  Paris Games Week since 2010 and was used during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, giving it an established track record for large-scale international events. 

The Esports Foundation was clear that the 2026 move is a one-year rotation, not a permanent departure.

Read Also: Exclusive: How Youth, Mobile-First Growth, and Esports Are Defining Africa’s Gaming Future

“Riyadh is the home of EWC,” Reichert stated in the official announcement, adding that the city remains 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.

The Foundation is funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has framed eSports investment as a central element of Vision 2030, the kingdom’s economic diversification strategy.

Tickets go on sale 29 May 2026 via esportsworldcup.com/tickets.