PARIS: Images of Saudi esports stars from the 2026 Esports World Cup have appeared across Paris, highlighting the Kingdom’s growing presence in global competitive gaming as the seven-week championship moves beyond its two inaugural editions in Riyadh.
The streets of Paris were adorned with images of the Saudi esports stars now, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s transition from tournament host to global contender.
Following two inaugural editions held in Riyadh, Paris is hosting the current seven-week tournament, which features over 2,000 players from 200 clubs across 100 countries competing for more than $75 million in prizes, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Saudi Arabia’s competitive presence is led by Team Falcons, which won the inaugural Esports World Cup in 2024 and retained the title in 2025 with 4,900 points. The Kingdom’s dominance was further demonstrated in the 2025 Overwatch 2 tournament, where Saudi clubs Team Falcons, Al-Qadsiah, and Twisted Minds swept the top three places.
The international expansion of the tournament showcases a growing generation of Saudi talent on the world stage, reflecting the rapid evolution of the Kingdom’s esports ecosystem from local development to elite global competition.
