Paris: Saudi Esports Federation Chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan said the launch of the 2026 Esports World Cup from the French capital, Paris, marks the beginning of a new chapter in the tournament's history. He noted that the project, which originated in Saudi Arabia, has evolved into a global platform bringing together players, clubs, game publishers, and fans under one umbrella. According to Saudi Press Agency, speaking at the opening press conference at Paris City Hall, attended by Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire and French Minister for Sports, Youth and Community Life Marina Ferrari, Prince Faisal said Saudi Arabia's vision from the outset was to establish esports as one of the world's premier sporting competitions. He added that Riyadh will remain the historic home of the tournament, while Paris represents the first international stop in its global expansion. Prince Faisal said the seven-week tournament will feature more than 2,000 players representing over 200 clubs from 100 countries. They will compete in 25 tournaments across 24 game titles for a record prize pool exceeding $75 million, making it the largest event of its kind in esports history. Esports World Cup Foundation CEO Ralf Reichert said the Paris edition marks a pivotal milestone in the tournament's evolution. He noted that more than 100,000 tickets have already been sold, setting a new record that reflects strong public demand for the event.
