The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has officially unveiled the details for the Esports World Cup 2026, and it’s bringing a mammoth $75 million prize pool to the global stage.
The record-breaking figure cements the Saudi Arabia-based event as one of the biggest spectacles in competitive gaming history, rewarding both players and clubs across a massive multi-title format.
Set to return to Riyadh and take place from July 6 to Aug. 23, the 2026 edition will span seven weeks of top-tier competition, with more than 2,000 players and 200 esports clubs representing over 100 countries.
This year, clubs will battle for a $30 million share, a $3 million boost from last year’s edition. The winning club will take home a massive $7 million prize, while the remaining prize money will be spread across the top finishers.
Individual game championships aren’t being left out either. More than $39 million has been allocated to tournaments across 24 featured titles, with the rest of the pool set aside for MVP honors, the Jafonso Award, and qualifying circuits leading up to the main event.
The EWCF says these payouts are designed to support both elite competitors and emerging talent who earn their place through the “Road to EWC” qualifier system. Fans can mark their calendars as tickets go on sale Jan. 22 through the official EWC website and through EWC 2026 international ticketing partners, including Webook, Platinumlist, Damai, Maiseat, and Tixr.
The 2026 game lineup features 24 titles, including Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, VALORANT, and many more, joined this year by Trackmania and Fortnite, which makes a return after EWC 2024.
In total, 25 tournaments will run across multiple arenas, with a coordinated schedule built to make following every event easier for fans and broadcasters alike.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, called the upcoming season a celebration of the people and clubs that keep the scene alive. “EWC is different because of the Club Championship,” he said. “One title crowns a champion. EWC crowns the ultimate cross-game Club Champion.”
Esports World Cup 2025 saw enormous success, as it pulled in 750 million viewers and a peak concurrent audience of nearly eight million, with League of Legends leading the way. The event’s festival in Riyadh attracted more than three million visitors, and 2026 will push those numbers even higher.
With a massive prize pool, new games, and an expanded format, EWC 2026 is shaping up to keep its place as the main event on the global esports calendar.
