Esports World Cup Concludes in Paris after Reaching 850 Million Viewers

   Paris, August 24, 2026, SPA -- The 2026 Esports World Cup concluded in the French capital, Paris, after seven weeks of competition featuring more than 2,000 players representing 200 clubs and more than 100 countries. They competed in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a total prize pool of more than $75 million, in the first edition of the tournament held outside Saudi Arabia.
   The Paris edition drew strong global viewership and fan engagement, reaching 850 million viewers and generating 440 million hours watched, up 13% and 26%, respectively, from a year earlier. Peak concurrent viewership reached 4.3 million during the League of Legends tournament.
   A total of 175,000 tickets were sold, up 94% from the 2025 edition, while total visits to competition venues, the fan festival, and accompanying events across Paris exceeded 2 million over the seven weeks.
   Several stars and emerging talents also stood out, including 15-year-old Chilean Jaime "Craime" Bustos, who became the youngest champion in Esports World Cup history. Norway's Magnus Carlsen retained the chess title for a second straight year, finishing unbeaten.
   Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Esports Foundation Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan said: "The growth and international expansion achieved by the tournament in Paris mark an important milestone in its journey and underscore the growing recognition of esports as a global sector capable of bringing together communities, cultures, and audiences from around the world."
   He said the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron reflects the growing interest of global leaders in esports and the progress and stature the sector has achieved. He added that Paris marked an important chapter in the tournament's journey and provided a foundation to build on in the coming years.
   Following the conclusion of the Paris edition, the Esports World Cup will return to Riyadh in 2027.
   -- SPA