The Esports World Cup Foundation has unveiled a $75 million prize pool for the 2026 edition, marking the largest in esports history. The event returns to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 6 to August 23, drawing over 2,000 players and 200 clubs from more than 100 countries across 24 games. Chess returns to the lineup with a dedicated $1.5 million tournament.
The Esports World Cup 2026 (EWC 2026), now in its third year, will feature 25 tournaments over seven weeks to crown the ultimate cross-game Club Champion. The unprecedented $75 million prize pool—equivalent to over 686 crore INR—highlights the event's growing stature as a premier multi-title competition in the global esports landscape.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, emphasized the initiative's focus on participants: “The life-changing prize pool exists to support the people at the heart of esports: the players and the Clubs that invest in them year after year. EWC is unique due to the Club Championship. One title crowns a champion. EWC crowns the ultimate cross-game Club Champion.”
The flagship EWC Club Championship will distribute $30 million to the top 24 clubs, an increase of $3 million from the previous year, with the winner receiving $7 million. Individual game championships will share over $39 million, while additional funds go to club and player awards, including MVP honors and the Jafonso Award for last-chance qualifier successes.
The lineup includes 24 titles, with new additions Fortnite and Trackmania joining staples like Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, and VALORANT. Chess, which debuted at the inaugural event with Indian grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin competing, returns August 11-15 with a $1.5 million prize pool.
Competitions will span multiple arenas in Riyadh for simultaneous events, enhancing fan engagement. The EWCF will continue support programs like the Club Partner Program for 40 organizations and the Road to EWC qualification pathways.
Building on 2025's success—750 million viewers, 350 million hours watched, and over 3 million on-site visitors—tickets go on sale January 22, 2026, via esportsworldcup.com and partners including Webook India.
