The global esports landscape is set for a major shift as the 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC) moves beyond Saudi Arabia for the first time, choosing Paris, France as its new stage from July 6 to August 23.
Long anchored in Riyadh, the tournament’s expansion signals a new chapter for one of the biggest events in competitive gaming, one that now brings its massive global audience to the heart of Europe.
The announcement, made by the Esports Foundation on Wednesday, May 21, confirms Paris as the first international host city under EWC’s evolving rotation model, aimed at widening its global footprint.
CEO Ralf Reichert emphasized that while the tournament’s roots remain tied to Riyadh, the move represents growth rather than replacement.
“Riyadh is the home of EWC and 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; this year, we’re excited to bring EWC to Paris for its first edition outside Saudi Arabia,” he stated.
French officials also welcomed the development, with France President Emmanuel Macron expressing support for the landmark hosting on social media.
“The EWC will be held in Paris! This is a first that honors us, thank you to Saudi Arabia for its trust. We are ready to organize the 2026 Esports World Cup,” President Macron wrote.
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The EWC will be held in Paris!
It is a historic first and an honor for us. Thank you to Saudi Arabia for their trust. We are ready to host the Esports World Cup 2026. Very proud to welcome the world once again. pic.twitter.com/agipxRsCkD
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 20, 2026
For the Philippines, the Paris edition opens another high-stakes international stage as several esports contingents prepare to carry the country’s flag across multiple titles.
For Honor of Kings, Philippine representatives include BOOM Esports, Blacklist International, and Team Flash, all earning qualification through regional pathways.
Star competitor Alexandre “AK” Laverez will once again shoulder national hopes in one of fighting games’ most competitive global brackets for Tekken.
Meanwhile, in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, defending MSC champions Team Liquid Philippines are still chasing qualification, with their fate tied to the MPL Philippines Season 17 playoffs which begins on May 27.
If successful, they will return to the world stage aiming to defend their reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s most dominant MLBB squads.
The 2026 EWC is expected to bring together more than 2,000 professional players and 200 esports clubs from over 100 countries, competing across 24 game titles and 25 tournaments.
With a staggering prize pool exceeding $75 million (around ₱4 billion), Paris is preparing to transform into a global esports hub and for Filipino competitors, another battlefield to prove themselves on the world stage.
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