The Esports World Cup Foundation has announced a record-breaking prize pool of $75 million for the 2026 edition of the tournament, making it the richest esports competition in history. The event is scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 6 to August 23.
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The tournament is expected to attract over 2,000 professional gamers representing 200 clubs from more than 100 countries. Competitors will face off across 25 tournaments featuring 24 different games over a seven-week period. This multi-game format distinguishes the Esports World Cup from other events, which typically award winners in individual titles.
The biggest prize pool yet is on the line at the Esports World Cup 2026. 😎
When you’re playing for $75,000,000, every match matters. pic.twitter.com/ejAHIvkvez
— Esports World Cup (@EWC_EN) January 20, 2026
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, emphasised that the prize money reflects the importance of players and clubs as the backbone of the esports industry. “Players and clubs are the foundation of the industry and deserve considerable rewards for their continuous investment,” Reichert said.
The EWC Club Championship will distribute $30 million among the top 24 clubs, with the overall winning club taking home $7 million. Individual game championships will collectively award over $39 million. Additional accolades, such as MVP awards and the Jafonso Award for standout performers in the Last Chance Qualifiers, will also be presented.
The 2025 edition of the Esports World Cup attracted 750 million viewers worldwide, generating 350 million hours of watch time. Tickets for the 2026 event will go on sale starting January 22 through the official website, offering early bird passes, premium tournament passes, and hospitality packages.
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Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the tournament highlights the kingdom’s ambition to become a global hub for esports and digital entertainment, further cementing the Esports World Cup as a marquee event in competitive gaming.