​There is a World Cup currently taking place, and it has sparked considerable controversy as thousands of French fans plan to watch the event. However, this is not the tournament you might be thinking of. The Esports World Cup, or EWC, is kicking off in Paris this week after a last-minute move from its usual venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Organisers chose to relocate the massive competition to the French capital because of safety concerns stemming from the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran in the Middle East. They say securing a suitable venue and installing all the equipment needed to broadcast the event, which draws millions of viewers worldwide, within a mere two months has been an enormous undertaking. For many fans, the move has made it possible to attend a tournament that was previously out of reach.
Yet the shift has also raised questions about the future of the EWC, which has faced criticism since its inception due to its association with Saudi Arabia. The tournament is run by the Esports Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The foundation is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push to establish itself as a major force in global gaming—a strategy some observers describe as “sportswashing.” Critics argue that the move is aimed at improving the country’s international image and diverting attention from its human rights record and anti-LGBT laws. Saudi officials have repeatedly denied these accusations. Even so, some players, commentators, and fans have chosen to boycott the EWC because of Saudi involvement, but the event remains popular for many others.
Teams have previously told BBC Newsbeat that they “can’t afford to ignore” the contest, or the potential share of its $75 million prize pool, especially as funding for esports has been tightening. Despite the event’s name, competitors in the EWC do not represent their countries; they participate as individuals or in teams. They compete across well-known games such as Call of Duty and League of Legends. Spanning seven weeks, organizers say the tournament attracts around 2,000 players from 100 countries, with some of the world’s top esports stars taking part. Esports Foundation CEO Mike McCabe said the biggest challenge in relocating the event to Paris’s Porte de Versailles exhibition centre was the time constraint. He noted that the foundation managed to secure the venue before embarking on the task of setting up workstations, cameras, and screens necessary to stage and broadcast the EWC. “It’s a massive undertaking,” he said, adding, “We have enough cabling powering all of these incredible technical systems to basically run from London to Birmingham and back again.”
The French government supported the relocation by assisting with visa arrangements for players after President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the decision to host the EWC in France. Another issue was drawing fans to attend in person; organizers acknowledged that live attendance remains important for visibility and engagement, even as the event continues to attract a global audience.