Why the 2026 Esports World Cup Abandoned Its Traditional Home in Saudi Arabia

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The third annual Esports World Cup, a massive international tournament series, made a sudden shift in 2026. Originally slated for Riyadh, the event relocated to Paris due to security concerns stemming from the ongoing Iran war. This move marked a significant departure from the tournament's established history in the Middle East.

Organized by the Esports Foundation and funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, the 2026 Esports World Cup spanned from 2 July to 23 August. While previous iterations and the tournament's predecessor, Gamers8, were held in Riyadh, the 2026 edition moved to the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. This decision followed reports on 14 May 2026 regarding regional instability, which had already disrupted other major events like the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The tournament featured 25 distinct events across 24 different titles, showcasing a mix of returning games and new additions.

The competitive lineup saw notable changes, including the debut of the racing game Trackmania (2020) and the return of Fortnite, specifically using the Reload game mode. To align with annual industry release cycles, the tournament updated its roster to include the latest versions of major franchises, such as the newest entries in the Call of Duty and EA Sports FC series. However, the exclusion of StarCraft II sparked backlash, as its removal meant the tournament lacked any real-time strategy games. Other titles, including Rennsport, were also dropped from the main competition.

Financial stakes remained high, with a total prize pool of $75 million, an increase from the $71.5 million offered in 2025. A significant portion of this, $30 million, was dedicated to the Club Championship, a cross-game competition for the top 24 organizations. Beyond the individual events, the Esports Foundation continued its Club Partner Program, supporting 40 organizations across five global regions. Despite the logistical challenges of relocating to France, the event maintained its scale, utilizing venues like the Accor Arena for the Counter-Strike 2 finals and continuing a seven-week competitive calendar.

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