Paris to Host E-sport World Cup in Summer 2026 After Riyadh Relocation

The E-sport World Cup, originally scheduled for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will now take place in Paris from July 6 to August 23, 2026. The decision, announced by the E-sport Foundation, is framed as part of a strategy to rotate host cities internationally, but the relocation is also attributed to armed conflict in the Middle East creating insecurity. The event will feature 24 games across 25 tournaments, including Valorant, League of Legends, Tekken 8, Street Fighter, and Rocket League. Total prize money reaches $75 million, a record for the competition. Over 100 countries are expected to participate, with special attention to African nations facing visa challenges. Paris was chosen partly due to its experience hosting major e-sport events, such as the 2019 League of Legends World Championship final and the Rocket League Major in May 2026. The French state has long aimed to make Paris a capital of e-sport. The competition will be held at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, overlapping with the FIFA World Cup. The E-sport Foundation justified the move by citing the need to accelerate international rotation, though the political situation in the Middle East was a key factor. French e-sport communities mobilized quickly after the situation became known two weeks prior. The event is expected to draw millions of viewers and thousands of players.