Hilton Becomes Main Partner for Esports World Cup Paris 2026

Hilton has expanded its commercial alliance with the Esports Foundation and will serve as a Main Partner for the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris. The company will integrate its hotels and Hilton Honors loyalty programme across the seven-week tournament at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from July 6 to Aug 23.

The agreement elevates a multi-year deal first signed in 2025, when Hilton acted as the official hotel partner for the event’s inaugural editions in Saudi Arabia. For the Paris edition, Hilton will provide lodging, hospitality services and loyalty benefits to players, media and guests for the duration of the competition.

Hilton’s presence will include visible branding during broadcast moments such as the opening ceremonies and press briefings, and the group will publish behind-the-scenes content from its Paris properties. Operations will be staged across six participating hotels in the city to accommodate EWC SuperFans, content creators and VIPs associated with the tournament.

The partnership introduces loyalty activations through the EWC Heroes Club programme. Tournament champions will receive Hilton Honors Diamond status, a top-tier membership level within Hilton’s loyalty programme that carries elite benefits during and after the event.

François Desir, Director of Sponsorship and Advertising at the Esports Foundation, commented that Hilton helped bring hospitality to the EWC in Riyadh and will support the event’s expansion onto an international stage. Darcy VanWyck, SVP and Commercial Director EMEA at Hilton, said the company is ready to support the next chapter as the Esports World Cup comes to Paris.

The expansion follows other hospitality industry deals with esports. In June 2025, Associated Luxury Hotels International announced partnerships to add gaming and esports offerings to luxury properties. Radisson and IHG Hotels & Resorts have also signed separate arrangements tied to esports. Tournament organiser BLAST announced a one-year partnership with MATCH in June 2026 to add sports-grade travel infrastructure to its esports events.

The Esports World Cup will run at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from July 6 to August 23. Hilton will support on-site accommodation, branded programming and loyalty benefits for participants and guests across its Paris portfolio.