Esports World Cup Relocates to Paris; Industry Reacts

The Esports World Cup (EWC) has been moved from Riyadh to Paris for its 2026 edition. The Esports Foundation announced the change on May 20 following escalating geopolitical events in the region. Organisers cited safety and logistical concerns and secured French support to host the tournament.

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation, spoke about the Paris edition at Global Esports Industry Week in Cologne. He said the event will bring “institutional legitimacy” and a larger main arena than recent EWC editions. Reichert met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in the run-up to the relocation.

David Neichel of ESL FACEIT Group posted on LinkedIn that the announcement was “a divine surprise” because preparations had been under way for Riyadh. He pointed to France’s regulatory framework and the capacity of state services to manage visas for athletes as decisive factors, writing that those capacities are rare outside Germany and France.

Chandy Teixeira, head of Games and Esports for the City of Rio de Janeiro, posted a photo of Reichert with Macron and wrote, “Are esports a matter of state? The answer is yes!” Nepomuk Nothelfer, an attorney specialising in esports and gaming law, noted France’s regulatory attention to esports over the past decade and said French authorities expect roughly €600 million in indirect economic impact from the event.

French industry figures welcomed the relocation. Nicolas Maurer, co-founder and CSO of Team Vitality, described the arrival of the World Cup in Paris as “excellent news for the entire French esports ecosystem” and pledged support to stage the event. Matthieu Dallon, CEO of Trust Esport, cited plans for 25 games, 54 days of competition and $75 million in prize money across multiple venues.

Team executives and commercial partners outlined practical implications. Team Liquid co-CEO Steve Aranchet wrote that the change is “bigger than a venue change” and could attract new sponsor interest. G2 Esports CEO Alban Dechelotte said the relocation aligns with the EWC’s ambition to become a global tournament on the scale of other major sporting events. FURIA co-CEO Jaime Pádua described the decision as a sensible response to logistical challenges in the Middle East.

Organisations with agreements tied to Saudi hosting noted disruption and new openings. Emanuele Acerbis, CEO of NOVO Esports, said contracts aimed at driving audiences to Saudi Arabia will need recalibration but added that Paris’s accessibility makes it easier to activate European fans and brands. Team Falcons’ general director Muhammed Almutairi posted in Arabic asking for support and prayers as the club prepares to defend its title in Paris.

Industry observers said the event will test the ecosystem’s ability to handle short-notice changes. Anna Baumann said success will be measured by whether the tournament preserves competitive quality, commercial deals and fan engagement. Celsa Wu of BenQ’s ZOWIE brand noted Europe’s strong audiences for Counter-Strike and VALORANT and said accessible venues in Paris are a benefit for live viewership.

Neil Johnson of ALHI, a consortium of independent hotels, said prioritising safety was the right decision and confirmed Parisian member hotels, including Les Jardins du Marais and L’Hôtel du Collectionneur, will position themselves to support the World Cup. He noted that large hotels and hospitality partners have become regular partners for major esports events.

Organisers and stakeholders are now focused on logistics, visa processing and venue production as they prepare the expanded programme for summer 2026.