The Esports World Cup Foundation has announced that its 2026 Counter-Strike 2 tournament will feature a significantly larger prize pool of $2 million, doubling the amount from 2025, and will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The 2026 event will expand to include 32 teams—28 invited and 4 qualifying through open qualifiers—competing in a new double-elimination group stage format across four groups, culminating in a best-of-five grand final.

The tournament is scheduled from August 10 to August 23, 2026, with all matches played in-person on LAN, and will span 11 days, making it one of the longest Counter-Strike events to date.

A non-BYOC open qualifier in Riyadh from August 7-9 will determine four of the participating teams, supporting up to 128 teams and offering a $100,000 prize pool.

The event will feature over 80 hours of gameplay, more than doubling the competition hours from 2025, with a five-day group stage followed by six days of playoffs.

The tournament's prize distribution ranges from $600,000 for first place to $10,000 for 24th-32nd places, emphasizing larger stakes and competitive intensity.

The event will take place entirely in Riyadh, with all matches played on LAN, and will include a longer format with a total of 11 days of competition.

The tournament's format has shifted from single-elimination to a double-elimination group stage to enhance competitiveness, with the top teams advancing to a playoff bracket.

Teams will qualify through a combination of invitations, open qualifiers, Valve Regional Standings, and regional champions, ensuring a diverse and competitive field.

The event will also include 20 returning titles such as VALORANT, Rainbow Six Siege X, and Call of Duty Black Ops 7, expanding its esports ecosystem.

The decision to host Counter-Strike 2 at the EWC has faced criticism due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record, drawing attention from organizations like Amnesty International.

These changes aim to create a more competitive and engaging Counter-Strike 2 experience, with larger stakes, more teams, and longer, more intense matches.