Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan: Paris Edition Affirms Growing Global Stature of Esports

PARIS — Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan has highlighted the international growth of the Esports World Cup, saying the Paris edition represents an important milestone in the competition’s journey and reflects the increasing recognition of esports as a global industry capable of connecting communities, cultures and audiences.

Paris Marks a New Chapter for the Esports World Cup

The 2026 Esports World Cup became the competition’s first international edition, taking the event beyond Saudi Arabia and onto a major global stage in Paris. Prince Faisal said the tournament was born in Saudi Arabia from the belief that esports deserves a global platform matching the passion of players, clubs, publishers and fans.

While Riyadh remains the home and foundation of the Esports World Cup, the move to Paris demonstrated the organisers’ ambition to expand the competition internationally and bring the global gaming community together.

More Than 2,000 Players and 200 Clubs

The Paris edition brought together more than 2,000 players representing over 200 esports clubs from more than 100 countries. The seven-week competition featured 25 tournaments across 24 games, with participants competing for a record prize pool of more than $75 million.

The scale of participation underlined the increasingly international nature of competitive gaming and the Esports World Cup’s role as a platform bringing multiple esports disciplines together.

Growing Recognition of Esports

Prince Faisal said the tournament’s growth and international expansion in Paris underline the growing recognition of esports as a global sector. He also praised the players, clubs, publishers, partners and organisers who contributed to the edition.

The Paris chapter further demonstrated how esports is developing beyond individual competitions into a broader global ecosystem that connects fans, athletes, organisations and gaming communities across borders.

Building on the Paris Edition

Organisers have described Paris as an important step in the Esports World Cup’s international development. The event’s expansion also supports the wider ambition of positioning competitive gaming alongside major global sports and entertainment platforms.

With the Paris edition completed, attention now turns to how the Esports World Cup will build on its international momentum and continue expanding its reach in the years ahead.

Sources
Saudi Press Agency (SPA) — Esports World Cup 2026 coverage, July 8, 2026.
Esports Foundation — Esports World Cup 2026 opening and Paris edition information.