Esports: World Cup Paris 2026
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
The 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC) is taking place in Paris, France, from 6 July to 23 August.
This follows a last-minute move from its usual home of Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia.
The organisers of the 2026 EWC took the decision to relocate this major tournament to the French capital due to safety concerns regarding the ongoing conflict between the USA and Iran in the Middle East.
In fact, for many of the fans, the relocation has made it possible for them to attend a previously inaccessible tournament.
The French government also supported the relocation, helping to arrange visas for players and fans, after President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the decision to host the EWC in France.
However, the relocation to France has raised questions over the future of the EWC, which has been criticised since it was launched, in 2024, regarding its links with Saudi Arabia.
The tournament is run by the Esports Foundation, a non-profit organisation which was created with support from the Saudi government and launched with an announcement from the Crown Prince, Mohammed Bin Salman.
The EWC is part of the Kingdom's plan to become a major player in global gaming, which has been described, in some quarters, as ‘sportswashing’. That is, an attempt to improve the Kingdom's international reputation and distract attention from accusations by critics of its human rights record and anti-LGBT laws. These accusations have always been denied.
However, some players have boycotted the EWC because of the Kingdom’s involvement, but the tournament is very popular amongst players and teams.
Players have commented that they cannot afford to ignore the potential of a share of the EWC US$75 million (around €65.2 million) prize fund, bearing in mind that funding for esports has apparently declined.
Despite the name of the tournament, players do not compete for their countries but as individuals or in teams, in popular video games, such as ‘Call of Duty’ and ‘League of Legends’.
The tournament attracts 2,000 players from 100 countries around the world.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
