The 2026 edition of the Esports World Cup has officially opened in Paris, France, marking the first time the event has taken place outside of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Today both an official opening press conference and the opening ceremony signaled the arrival of the Esports World Cup in Paris, even if the in-game action had started last week. Both events sought to intertwine the French capital and the biggest event in esports, through official channels and an epic performance that blended the cultures of both communities.
Kicking off the event in style was the opening ceremony, where iconic French artists Aya Nakamura, Theodora, DJ Snake and Mosimann were joined by top esports stars in a massive production. Taking place at the iconic La Seine Musicale, the event brought together the world of esports and the wider French culture to create a show that will go down in the history book as one of the greatest openings to an esports event ever.
However, earlier in the day a more refined opening took place with the opening press conference. Taking place at the Hôtel de Ville, the event saw Emmanuel Grégoire, the Mayor of the City of Paris, welcome the Esports World Cup and dignitaries from the event and its partners to Paris.
“Competitive gaming has always had great players, great games and unforgettable champions,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of Esports Foundation. “The Esports World Cup brings them together in one defining annual stage. For seven weeks in Paris, every title crowns its own winner, but every result also contributes to a bigger race: the Club Championship. That is what makes EWC different. It rewards not only individual brilliance, but the depth, consistency and ambition of an entire Club.”
“Hosting the first international edition of the Esports World Cup in Paris is a source of immense pride for France,” added Marina Ferrari, French Minister of Sports, Youth, and Community Life, while at the event. “I commend the Esports Foundation’s commitment and the quality of the collaboration established with French authorities throughout the preparation of this event. This partnership, built on trust, was crucial in enabling us to collectively rise to the challenge of organizing this first international edition of the Esports World Cup in Paris. Building on the legacy of major sporting events hosted in our country in recent years, France reaffirms its ability to host the world’s largest international competitions and showcase its expertise. This World Cup is a testament to a long-term vision for French esports. In the fall, we will present our national esports development strategy for 2026–2030 to help structure this sector, support the emergence of new talent, and strengthen the international reach of our ecosystem.”
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The 2026 Esports World Cup marks the first time that the event has been hosted outside of Saudi Arabia, but Riaydh is still very much envisioned as the home of the event and the Esports Foundation that puts it on each year. The move to Paris for this year has been something of a diplomatic triumph, with high ranking officials from both countries being involved in the move.
“EWC was born in Saudi Arabia from a bold belief that esports is a defining platform for the next generation of sports and entertainment, deserving a global stage equal to the passion of its players, Clubs, publishers and fans,” said HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Board Member of the Esports Foundation. “Today, EWC has grown into much more than a tournament, it is a global platform that brings people together through gaming. Riyadh will always remain the home and foundation of the Esports World Cup, but our ambition has always extended beyond its borders. That ambition has brought us to Paris, marking an exciting new chapter for our community. I would like to thank President Emmanuel Macron and our friends in France for their support and partnership in making this moment possible. Together, we are demonstrating the unique power of esports to bring the world together.
With the official opening now out of the way, the action turns to the first week of games at the Esports World Cup. This weekend Valorant, Apex Legends and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will crown the first champions of the 2026 Esports World Cup. The event has only been open to the public for a single day, but already the French fans have shown up to support their teams, creating a great atmosphere in the venue.
The move to Paris may have put extra pressure on the team to deliver the event, especially given the short time frame, but it is clear they have done just that. And with the support of the city of Paris it looks like this third iteration of the Esports World Cup is set to be the best yet.
