Esports World Cup 2026 set for Riyadh with record $75 million prize pool

The Esports World Cup 2026 is set to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on an unprecedented scale, running from July 6 to August 23, 2026, with a record-breaking $75 million prize pool, making it the largest esports event in history.

Spanning seven weeks, the global esports spectacle will take place across multiple state-of-the-art arenas at Boulevard City, Riyadh, transforming the capital into the world’s biggest competitive gaming hub for the summer. More than 2,000 professional players from 200 clubs across over 100 countries are expected to compete, highlighting the event’s truly international reach.

The prize pool will be distributed across 25 tournaments covering 24 game titles, with over $39 million allocated to individual game championships and $30 million dedicated to the prestigious EWC Club Championship, which rewards overall performance across multiple games.

Elite esports organizations are already confirmed, including defending champions Team Falcons, alongside global powerhouses such as G2 Esports, Team Liquid, and Team Vitality. Their participation sets the stage for high-stakes competition across a diverse lineup of games.

The 2026 edition features a wide-ranging roster of titles spanning shooters, MOBAs, sports, fighting games, and even traditional strategy, including Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, VALORANT, Fortnite, PUBG, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Rocket League, EA Sports FC 26, Street Fighter 6, TEKKEN 8, and Chess, among many others.

Tickets for the Esports World Cup 2026 officially went on sale on January 22, 2026, with options ranging from weekly access passes to premium hospitality experiences. Tickets are available via the official Esports World Cup platform and international partners such as Webook.

With its massive prize pool, global talent, and extended festival-style format, the Esports World Cup 2026 reinforces Saudi Arabia’s growing position as a major force in the global gaming and esports industry.