Why the 2026 Esports World Cup Was Relocated From Riyadh to Paris

The 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC)—one of the largest esports events in the world—was originally scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Instead, organizers announced that the tournament will be held in Paris, France from July 6 to August 23, 2026, marking the first time the competition has been hosted outside Saudi Arabia.

The decision reflects a combination of regional security concerns and a strategic push to internationalize the event, according to organizers and media reports.

Why the tournament moved from Riyadh

The Esports Foundation, which organizes the tournament, said the change came after an extended evaluation of the current regional situation. The organization stated that moving the 2026 edition would help provide a more stable environment for players, clubs, and fans traveling to the event.

Reporting from European media linked the decision specifically to heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including instability connected to the Iran conflict. Organizers reportedly had contingency plans in place in case the regional situation affected the ability of teams and fans to travel safely to Riyadh.

By relocating the event, the foundation aimed to ensure smoother international participation while still maintaining Saudi Arabia’s long‑term relationship with the competition.

The roles of Emmanuel Macron and Ralf Reichert

The relocation announcement involved both esports leadership and political support from France.

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation, was central to presenting and confirming the decision. As head of the organization running the tournament, he helped announce the host‑city change and framed Paris as the next step in expanding the Esports World Cup internationally.

French President Emmanuel Macron was not involved in operating the tournament but publicly welcomed the decision for France to host it. The French presidency confirmed that Macron supported the announcement that Paris would host the event and promoted the news publicly.

The announcement followed a meeting between Reichert and Macron, highlighting the French government’s backing for hosting the competition.

How the Paris Esports World Cup will run

The 2026 edition is expected to be the largest Esports World Cup yet. Organizers say the event will span nearly seven weeks in Paris and bring together a massive international field.

Key details include:

• Dates: July 6 to August 23, 2026
• Players: More than 2,000 competitors
• Clubs: Around 200 teams from over 100 countries
• Games: 24 esports titles across 25 tournaments
• Prize pool: Reported around $75 million

The tournament format will follow the multi‑game structure introduced in earlier editions, where professional organizations compete across multiple titles to earn championship points and prize money.

What the relocation means for the future of the EWC

The move to Paris marks a major milestone in the Esports World Cup’s development. The first two editions were hosted in Riyadh, and the 2026 tournament will become the first to take place elsewhere.

According to organizers, the shift reflects a long‑term strategy to rotate the event internationally. Hosting the tournament in different global cities is intended to expand its audience and strengthen esports’ global presence.

However, the Esports Foundation has emphasized that Riyadh remains the long‑term home of the Esports World Cup, suggesting future editions may alternate between Saudi Arabia and other international host cities.

A turning point for the Esports World Cup

The relocation of the 2026 tournament illustrates how global esports events are increasingly influenced by geopolitics, logistics, and international expansion strategies. Paris now becomes the first city outside Saudi Arabia to host the competition, while Riyadh continues to anchor the event’s long‑term vision.

If the Paris edition succeeds, it could establish the Esports World Cup as a rotating global championship similar to major traditional sporting events, moving between host cities while maintaining a strong base in Saudi Arabia.