Esports World Cup 2026 announces Sony partnership and reveals League of Legends groups in Paris

The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 will be held in Paris from 6 July to 23 August. The event expands its programme through a strategic partnership with Sony Group, using PlayStation consoles for competitions and integrating brands from Sony Pictures Television and Crunchyroll. The partnership adds immersive experiences such as a manga‑themed interactive library and a documentary series, "Esports World Cup: Level Up," streamed worldwide on Prime Video. The tournament will feature more than 2 000 players from over 100 countries, competing in 25 events across 24 games, with a total prize pool exceeding $75 million, a record for esports.

The League of Legends segment of the EWC has published its group draw. Twelve teams are split into four groups (A–D). Group B includes defending champion Gen. G, Karmine Corp, Sentinels and Team Secret Whales; Group C pits T1 against Bilibili Gaming, Movistar KOI and GAM Esports. The group stage runs in GSL format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to playoffs and a $2 million prize pool matching the 2026 Mid‑Season Invitational.