Media outlet GamesBeat announced that the Esports World Cup 2026 is planning to move from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Paris, France. The source cited the Middle Eastern crisis as the reason for the move.

GamesBeat stated that the event’s organizers have informed stakeholders across the EWC ecosystem that the 2026 event will take place in Paris. The media outlet notes three anonymous individuals as the source of information about the move. These individuals work in the esports space and were aware of the EWC’s communications with stakeholders. An EWC representative declined to comment on the matter.

Rumors that the Esports World Cup 2026 venue will change from Saudi Arabia to France appeared on social media on May 9. The rumor spread in the chess community and in other esports disciplines.

The Esports World Cup is a premier annual international gaming tournament and festival held in Riyadh. The 2026 edition of the tournament will run from August 11-15 and will feature a $1,500,000 prize fund.

Credit: Esports World Cup