Will the 2026 eSports World Cup be relocated? An anonymous industry insider revealed that Paris, France will take over the hosting duties.

Although the 2027 eSports Olympics have been postponed, the eSports World Cup will continue to be held. It is one of the industry's major events, bringing together star players from various games such as Honor of Kings, CS2, Street Fighter, League of Legends, Dota 2, and Mobile Legends. No matter which eSports game you are a fan of, you definitely won't want to miss such a prestigious international stage.

In previous years, Saudi Arabia was chosen as the host city. However, according to anonymous industry insiders, this year's event may be moved to Paris, France, with the dates remaining the same: July 6th to August 23rd. This official announcement is understandable, given the tense situation in the Middle East caused by war. Even with the ceasefire agreement, the damage is still being done. International oil prices have soared, prompting citizens to switch modes of transportation—driving less and using public transport more—leading to increased sales of electric vehicles, additional airfares, inflation, and making life increasingly difficult.

Given the situation in the Middle East, the safety of hosting the event is difficult to guarantee. Any mishap could hinder the global esports ecosystem and disrupt players' schedules, leading to a chain reaction that is unbearable. Therefore, the best solution is undoubtedly to change the venue. It is worth noting that, in addition to the Esports World Cup, the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) in November 2026 was also originally planned to be held in Saudi Arabia. No changes have been announced yet, but a scandal has emerged interfering with the selection of Korean players, and no consensus has been reached. The Korean LCK region will withdraw from the competition.

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