📝 EWC relocates to Paris, France

The Esports World Cup have announced the relocation of the event from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Paris, France.

In an official press release, the EWC Commission confirmed that the decision to relocate away from Saudi Arabia was made after “an extended evaluation process in light of the current regional situation.” CEO Ralf Reichert further extended his gratitude to the Riyadh fans, thanking them for allowing the Esports World Cup to grow and also expressing his joy of bringing the event to France. In a tweet, French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed gratitude and excitement for the event.

With the OWCS 2026 Midseason Championship scheduled for the event in Riyadh, teams will now be expected to plan travel to Paris. Overwatch Esports has had a long, storied history with its French fanbase, as evidenced by the introduction of Paris Eternal to the Overwatch League and Team Peps’ recent status as an OWCS Partner Team. This event also marks the first major Overwatch Esports event in France since the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers. 

16 teams are still expected to be traveling to Paris for the Midseason Championship, with Team Falcons already confirmed thanks to the EWC Title Defender Program. The 2026 Midseason Championship was originally scheduled for July 29 to August 02; however, the official FAQ mentions a possible shift in tournament dates. We will update accordingly once the final Midseason Championship dates are announced.