The Esports World Cup 2026 will be hosted in Paris from 6 July to 23 August.
It moved from Riyadh this year, so every match now runs on Paris time. Below is the full schedule, with start times for the GCC and South Asia.
The Esports World Cup Foundation announced the move to Paris on 20 May 2026, citing the current regional situation, while stressing that Riyadh “is the home of EWC.”
The action runs for seven weeks at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, so anyone who had Riyadh travel booked will need flights to Paris instead.
Start Times in the GCC and South Asia
Every match is played and broadcast on Paris time (CEST, UTC+2). The table shows how a 6:00 PM Paris match lands on the clock across the GCC and South Asia.
| Country / Region | Local Time Zone | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| Paris (host city) | CEST (UTC+2) | 6:00 PM |
| Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain | AST (UTC+3) | 7:00 PM |
| UAE, Oman | GST (UTC+4) | 8:00 PM |
| Pakistan | PKT (UTC+5) | 9:00 PM |
| India | IST (UTC+5:30) | 9:30 PM |
| Bangladesh | BST (UTC+6) | 10:00 PM |
The Gulf sits one to two hours ahead of Paris, and South Asia three to four hours ahead. So just shift any published Paris start time by that gap to get your local time.
Every Game and Its Competition Dates
The 25 tournaments run back to back, with three or four games live each week. The dates below are the official competition windows in Paris time.
| Game | Dates (2026) | Prize Pool |
|---|---|---|
| Apex Legends | Jul 7 to 11 | $2 million |
| Dota 2 | Jul 7 to 19 | $2 million |
| Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves | Jul 8 to 11 | $1 million |
| Valorant | Jul 9 to 12 | $2 million |
| Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (Women’s) | Jul 14 to 18 | $500,000 |
| Free Fire | Jul 15 to 18 | $1 million |
| League of Legends | Jul 15 to 19 | $2 million |
| Teamfight Tactics | Jul 21 to 25 | $500,000 |
| PUBG Battlegrounds | Jul 21 to 26 | $2 million |
| EA Sports FC 26 | Jul 22 to 26 | $1.5 million |
| Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (Mid-Season Cup) | Jul 22 to Aug 1 | $3 million |
| Overwatch 2 | Jul 29 to Aug 2 | $1 million |
| Street Fighter 6 | Jul 29 to Aug 1 | $1 million |
| Call of Duty: Warzone | Jul 30 to Aug 2 | $1 million |
| Honor of Kings | Jul 30 to Aug 8 | $3 million |
| Rainbow Six Siege | Aug 4 to 15 | $2 million |
| Tekken 8 | Aug 5 to 8 | $1 million |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 | Aug 5 to 9 | $1.8 million |
| PUBG Mobile | Aug 6 to 16 | $3 million |
| Chess | Aug 11 to 15 | $1.5 million |
| Rocket League | Aug 12 to 16 | $1 million |
| Crossfire | Aug 18 to 22 | $2 million |
| Counter-Strike 2 | Aug 19 to 23 | $2 million |
| Fortnite | Aug 19 to 22 | $1 million |
| Trackmania | Aug 19 to 22 | $500,000 |
Each game’s prize pool is shown above. The overall $75 million pot also funds the cross-game Club Championship, where clubs earn points across every title for a share of the bonus.
Mobile and Marquee Finals Worth Circling
Mobile esports pull the biggest audiences across South Asia and the Gulf, and several of the richest tournaments here are mobile titles.
These are the standout events to set a reminder for:
- PUBG Mobile (6 to 16 August): a $3 million pool and a massive following across South Asia.
- Honor of Kings (30 July to 8 August): also $3 million, with huge viewership in Asia.
- Free Fire (15 to 18 July): a firm favourite in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid-Season Cup (22 July to 1 August): another $3 million headliner.
- Dota 2 (7 to 19 July): the PC blockbuster that opens the festival.
- Counter-Strike 2 (19 to 23 August): the closing-weekend finale.
Valorant and League of Legends also headline mid-July, and the closing weekend stacks the Fortnite, Crossfire and Trackmania finals together for a big finish.
How to Watch and Get to Paris
The official Esports Foundation Creator Program supports authorized co-streaming across platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, Bilibili, Huya and TikTok.
To attend in person, passes are on sale through the official Esports World Cup tickets page, including daily, regular tournament pass and premium tournament pass options.
Planning to go? Book hotels in Paris early, since the city stays busy through the summer holidays.
Gulf fans can compare Paris flights via Dubai, Doha or Jeddah, while South Asian fans connect to Paris from Delhi, Karachi and Dhaka.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Esports World Cup 2026 being held?
In Paris, France, at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. It was moved from Riyadh in May 2026, though the Esports World Cup Foundation says Riyadh remains the home of the event.
What are the Esports World Cup 2026 dates?
The competitions run from 7 July to 23 August 2026, with 25 tournaments across 24 games. Apex Legends and Dota 2 open the festival, and Counter-Strike 2 closes it.
What time do the matches start in India and the GCC?
Matches run on Paris time (CEST, UTC+2). The GCC is one to two hours ahead, and South Asia three to four hours ahead. Exact daily times are confirmed closer to each tournament.
How can I watch the Esports World Cup 2026 online?
The official Esports Foundation Creator Program supports authorized co-streaming across platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, Bilibili, Huya and TikTok.
Why did the Esports World Cup move from Riyadh to Paris?
The Esports World Cup Foundation cited the current regional situation and announced the move on 20 May 2026. The games and overall prize pool stayed the same; the host city changed to Paris for 2026.
Sources
- Esports World Cup 2026 Official Competitions and Schedule
- Esports World Cup Foundation Official Site
- Esports World Cup 2026 Official Tickets
- Sheepesports: Paris Venue and Updated Schedule
- Esports World Cup: Esports Foundation Creator Program
- Esports World Cup: 2026 to be Hosted in Paris, France
- Esports World Cup: Paris Expo Venue, Tickets and Schedule
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