Paris hosts 2026 Esports World Cup drawing global gamers
The Esports World Cup 2026 is taking place at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from 6 July to 23 August. The marathon features tournaments across 24 video‑game titles, including FPS, MOBA, fighting, sports‑simulation and racing games. Early results saw teams such as Unlimit win the Apex Legends Global Series Split 1, Dark Angel claim Fatal Fury, 100 Thieves take the Valorant crown, and LYON triumph in Free Fire. Subsequent finals are scheduled through August, covering titles like Teamfight Tactics, PUBG, eSports FC Pro, Dota 2, League of Legends, Counter‑Strike 2 and more.
Beyond competition, French authorities are positioning the event as a cornerstone of a broader tourism strategy that links major sport spectacles – notably the upcoming 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps – with digital and immersive experiences. The World Cup is accompanied by exhibitions, virtual‑reality tours of heritage sites such as Notre‑Dame and the Loire castles, and a culture‑gaming showcase at the Philharmonie, aiming to attract diverse international visitors and promote sustainable, year‑round tourism in France.