1 week ago
The 2026 version of nan Esports World Cup (EWC), which was owed to return spot successful Saudi Arabia’s superior of Riyadh this summer, has been moved to Paris owed to information concerns linked to nan Iran-U.S. war.
The Esports Foundation (EWCF) announced precocious Wednesday that nan arena will tally from July 7 to August 24 successful nan French capital, aft a gathering betwixt CEO Ralf Reichert pinch French President Emmanuel Macron astatine nan Elysée Palace.
News of nan move comes amid a stalemate successful nan negotiations betwixt nan U.S. and Iran, pinch some sides many times threatening subject and past coming backmost from nan brink.
Iran has sent thousands of missiles and drones towards its Gulf neighbors successful retaliation for nan U.S. and Israeli subject run which began connected February 28. Saudi Arabia was comparatively untouched but nan business crossed nan region remains tense.
The Esports Foundation couched nan move news successful a affirmative light, saying it accelerated an already planned strategy to grow into different big countries, and besides emphasizing that Saudi Arabia remained “the location of EWC”.
The alteration successful venue for nan 2026 version will beryllium a rustle to Saudi Arabia, which has been astatine nan forefront of processing world Esports tournaments arsenic portion of its wider strategy to go a location media and intermezo hub.
The 2026 EWC’s Paris move besides follows successful nan aftermath of the cancellation nan Formula 1 Grand Prix in Jeddah April owed to nan instability successful nan Middle East.
Last year, Riyadh’s Boulevard City intermezo territory hosted immoderate 2,000 players representing 200 clubs hailing from 100 territories.
The 2026 version of nan EWC will erstwhile again invited 2,000 competitors, who will compete successful 24 games crossed 25 tournaments for a stock of nan record-breaking prize excavation successful excess of $75 million.
Details connected nan caller venue for EWC 2026 successful Paris will beryllium announced successful nan coming weeks. Clubs, teams, players and fans pinch tickets to nan arena will beryllium contacted directly.
“We’re excited to bring EWC to Paris for its first version extracurricular Saudi Arabia. Paris has hosted immoderate of nan world’s biggest sporting events and is 1 of nan awesome world capitals of sport, civilization and entertainment,” said Ralf Reichert.
“Together pinch nan passion of French fans and nan beardown support we’ve received locally, we’re excited to bring nan world esports organization location for nan adjacent section of EWC. Paris now becomes nan first world section successful EWC history.”
