Regional conflict in the Middle East has forced organisers to relocate the 2026 Esports World Cup from Riyadh to Paris, France, affecting over 2,000 international players.
The tournament, the largest of its kind globally, will run from 6 July to 23 August 2026, with $75 million in prize money distributed across 24 competitive titles.
Ralf Reichert, head of the Saudi-based Esports Foundation, told AFP that ongoing regional tensions had accelerated a broader push to expand the competition’s international footprint.
Travel disruptions caused by Middle East conflict raised serious concerns about players reaching Saudi Arabia from abroad within required timeframes before the event.
Both previous editions of the tournament were held in Riyadh, which had also been scheduled as the confirmed host city for the 2026 competition.
Reichert cited Paris’s global appeal and the strength of French esports fandom as additional factors that influenced the decision to select the French capital.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the move, calling it a historic first and an honour, and confirmed France was fully prepared to host the event.
William Elman, a sport and youth advisor to the French government, said the tournament was expected to have a major impact on tourism across the Paris region.
More than 2,000 players representing 200 clubs worldwide will compete across 24 titles, including League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, and Valorant.
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund continues to serve as the central financial backer of the competition, despite the tournament moving to a European host city.
The Esports Foundation has stated a long-term vision of taking the event to major cities globally, though its website indicates a planned return to Riyadh in 2027.
