Esports World Cup 2026 Opens in Paris: Everything You Need to Know

The Esports World Cup 2026 has just begun in Paris and is expected to see thousands of players compete over the coming weeks. The tournament will continue until August 23 at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The event has seen the participation of over 2,000 professional players and over 200 esports teams from over 100 nations. With a record $75 million prize pool on the line, the event promises weeks of intense competition across some of the world’s most popular games like PUBG Mobile. Here’s everything you need to know.

Players had to compete through the biggest qualification program in Esports World Cup history. More than 1.5 million players joined the qualification process. Organizers hosted around 330 qualifying tournaments, publisher leagues, and international circuits worldwide. Only the best-performing players and teams reached the final stage in Paris.

Club Championship Returns with Massive Rewards

The Club Championship remains one of the major highlights of the Esports World Cup 2026. Points can be scored by different teams playing many games over seven weeks. The championship will not be about winning a particular title but rather about the clubs’ performance. As much as $30 million in total will be awarded across different positions, with the winner receiving $7 million. Team Falcons will aim for another successful campaign after winning previous editions.

The Esports World Cup 2026 has retained Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen as Global Ambassadors. Both icons represent excellence in their respective fields. The involvement of these individuals enables the link between the worlds of esports, football, and chess.

Games Included in Esports World Cup 2026

The Esports World Cup 2026 comprises 25 tournaments across 24 esports titles. Some of the best-known games on PC, console, and mobile platforms will be represented in this list.

The 2026 Esports World Cup will be widely available on TV and online platforms. Viewers from more than 160 countries can follow the tournament on television and the Internet. Coverage will be available in more than 40 languages worldwide, and over 100 broadcasting partners will air the tournament. There will be over 7,000 hours of live coverage and 5,000 official co-streamers.