The Esports World Cup 2026 will be held in Paris, France from early July to late August, marking the event's first rotation outside Riyadh since its 2024 inception.

EWC 2026 will host 25 tournaments across 24 titles, including Valorant, Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, Fortnite, and EA Sports FC 26, underscoring esports as a global cultural movement.

The tournament lineup features a record prize pool of more than $75 million, with the aim of attracting participation from more than 200 clubs, over 2000 players, and competitors from more than 100 countries.

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Officials said all announced titles, formats, and tournaments remain unchanged, though some scheduling shifts and venue-related details are forthcoming.

The move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 push into competitive gaming, backed by the Public Investment Fund via Savvy Games Group, framed as a concession rather than a response to security concerns.

S8UL is competing across qualifiers for 13 titles, including BGMI, Apex Legends, Call of Duty Warzone, EA Sports FC, Tekken 8, Trackmania, with PUBG presence via Team QM roster.

Paris venue specifics and ticketing details are expected to be released by the EF in the coming weeks.

The relocation to Paris is intended to provide clarity and stability for players, clubs, publishers, partners, and fans amid the current regional situation.

The report notes the original Korean source and mentions that translations were reviewed by editors, with a link to the original Inven article.

Emmanuel Macron and France are highlighted as part of the welcoming environment, signaling strong governmental or institutional support.

The Counter-Strike portion has obtained a Valve exception to relocate, addressing timing and logistical needs after the information deadline.