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PARIS: Organisers of the Esports World Cup have confirmed that the 2026 tournament will take place in Paris rather than Riyadh, citing regional instability linked to the Iran conflict as a key reason behind the relocation.
À1qScheduled from July 6 to August 23, the global gaming competition will feature 24 different esports titles and offer prize money worth more than $75 million. Backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the event debuted in 2024 and has so far been staged exclusively in Riyadh. Ralf Reichert, head of the Saudi-based Esports Foundation, said concerns over travel and logistics during the ongoing regional tensions made hosting the tournament in the Gulf difficult this year.
“The conflict created uncertainty around whether players and teams could reach the region on time,” Reichert told AFP, adding that the situation also sped up plans to expand the tournament internationally. He noted that Paris was selected because of its strong esports culture and enthusiastic fan base. The decision to move the competition to France was officially announced on Wednesday. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the development, describing it as “a historic moment” for the country.
In a post on X, Macron thanked Saudi Arabia for its confidence and said France was prepared to host the world’s biggest esports competition. More than 2,000 competitors representing around 200 clubs are expected to participate. Major games on the lineup include League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, and Valorant. French officials believe the tournament will significantly boost tourism and economic activity across the Paris region.
William Elman, an advisor to the French government on sport and youth affairs, said the championship is expected to generate major international attention for the city. Although Paris will host the 2026 edition, organisers indicated that Riyadh is likely to welcome the tournament again in 2027 as part of a broader plan to rotate the event among major cities worldwide.
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