The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has officially confirmed that the Esports World Cup 2026 will move from its longtime home in Riyadh to Paris, France, marking the first time the global esports spectacle will be hosted outside Saudi Arabia.
The historic event is set to take place at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from July 6 to August 23, 2026, making Paris the inaugural international host city for one of the most anticipated events in the global esports calendar.
“Riyadh helped turn the Esports World Cup into a global phenomenon,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation. “Riyadh is the home of EWC and one of the world’s leading hubs for esports, powered by an incredible community of fans and long-term ambition for the future of the sport. This year, we’re excited to bring EWC to Paris for its first edition outside Saudi Arabia. Paris has hosted some of the world’s biggest sporting events and is one of the great global capitals of sport, culture and entertainment. Together with the passion of French fans and the strong support we’ve received locally, we’re excited to bring the global esports community there for the next chapter of EWC. Paris now becomes the first international chapter in EWC history.” ~ Source: EWCF
The announcement arrives amid evolving geopolitical developments that may present challenges for international travel and large-scale events. In light of this, the EWCF deserves recognition for prioritizing the safety and accessibility of organizations, players, talent, and attendees while continuing to elevate the global esports experience. Tickets for EWC26 are also set to go live in just two days as of this post. Check this link for EWC26 ticket availability.
With our continued partnership with the Esports World Cup, LOVE ARMY® is proud to confirm an upcoming release of official EWC26 Paris merchandise and exclusive Esports World Cup apparel for fans attending the event. The upcoming collection will feature limited edition EWC merchandise, blending esports culture, premium streetwear, and elevated lifestyle apparel inspired by the global gaming community. Designed for both competition and everyday wear, the collection continues LOVE ARMY®’s growing presence in the world of esports fashion and international event merchandise.
Official designs for EWC26 will be announced soon enough. For now, here’s a glimpse back at our previous capsule collection for EWC25 x LOVE ARMY.
Attendees in Paris will be able to purchase the collection onsite during the event at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Global supporters who cannot attend personally will also have access to the collection online via lovearmy.com, with tracked international shipping available worldwide.
From Riyadh to Paris, the movement continues. À bientôt à Paris!