Esports World Cup reportedly shifts 2026 event from Riyadh to Paris
The July-August competition, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, faces renewed scrutiny over sportswashing allegations as instability drives relocation to France.
The 2026 Esports World Cup is reportedly relocating from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Paris, France, due to ongoing conflict and instability in the Middle East. According to a report by GamesBeat, tournament organisers have notified stakeholders of the potential venue change behind the scenes, although no public confirmation has been issued. Rumours of a location swap had been circulating for several days prior to the report.
The event is scheduled to run from July through August, featuring a total prize pool exceeding $75 million. The tournament covers major competitive titles including Valorant, League of Legends, Dota 2, Street Fighter 6, Overwatch, Rocket League, Trackmania, Counter-Strike 2, Call of Duty, and Fortnite. Engadget has contacted the Esports World Cup for clarification on the reported move.
The inaugural Esports World Cup was held in Riyadh in 2024 and is organised by a non-profit arm of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The PIF oversees numerous groups investing heavily in sports, video games, and entertainment interests worldwide. The 2025 edition in Riyadh attracted more than 3 million fans, along with over 2,500 esports players and support staff.
The reported shift to Paris occurs against a backdrop of renewed chaos in the region, with active military operations and significant disruptions to air travel. The tournament has previously faced intense scrutiny regarding allegations of sportswashing, where investments in sports are used to improve a nation’s reputation amidst accusations of human rights abuses.
Dissent was evident during the 2025 Riyadh event, with the developers of GeoGuessr cancelling their participation after map creators pulled their work from the game. Street Fighter 6 player Christopher Hancock, also known as ChrisCCH, refused to participate despite qualifying, while Riot Games and popular League of Legends streamer Caedrel faced criticism for their involvement. It was always part of the Esports World Cup plan to host events in cities outside Riyadh, involving hefty hosting fees, though details regarding the Paris situation remain unclear.
