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That’s a wrap on the first overseas Esports World Cup. Saudi Arabia put the Esports World Cup to the test abroad this year, taking the tournament to Paris for its 2026 edition — the first time the Saudi-created event has been staged outside the Kingdom since its 2024 launch.
Bigger numbers: The seven-week tournament drew more than 2k players from 200 clubs across more than 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games, according to a press release. Ticket sales hit 175k, up 94% y-o-y, with total visits across competition venues, Fan Fest, and city activations reaching 2 mn. Global viewership reached 850 mn, up 13%, generating 440 mn hours watched, up 26%.
REMEMBER- The Esports World Cup’s home is Riyadh, but because of the US-Iran conflict, organizers moved this year’s round to Paris.
Why it matters: Esports Foundation strategy director Farah Tamer told us when the tournament launched this year that moving to Paris was a chance to prove the tournament is an IP that can travel, much like the FIFA World Cup. That wager, however, runs against the global grain. Physical gaming events have been shutting down or moving online for years — from E3 to Minecon — in what the industry calls the “esports winter.” MENA is the exception, with each of its big three markets, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, home to a tier-one event, and the EWC is the Kingdom’s biggest instrument for staying that way.
Falcons’ title defense ends in second place: China’s All Gamers Global (AG.AL) claimed the USD 7 mn title with 5.3k points, taking the championship on the final weekend. Saudi Arabia’s Team Falcons, the two-time defending champions, finished second on 4.6k, followed by Team Vitality, Natus Vincere, and Team Liquid. Falcons led the standings heading into the playoffs, but AG.AL moved ahead after Gwendal Duparc captured the Trackmania tournament and Carl-Antoni Cloutier’s quarter-final exit opened the door for the Chinese team.
What’s next: Paris secured a longer-term role through an MoU between the Esports Foundation and France’s Sports Ministry, covering youth development, digital skills, and French talent. The tournament returns to Riyadh for its 2027 edition, scheduled for July-August.
