The Esports World Cup (EWC) returns for a third year from July 2 to Aug. 23, leaving its traditional home in Riyadh for the historic Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Featuring a $75 million prize pool spread across 25 tournaments and 24 game titles, the EWC is the undisputed centerpiece of the summer esports calendar.
Here’s everything you need to know about the confirmed games at EWC 2026.
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Apex Legends
The Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) Split 1 Playoffs hits EWC 2026 from July 7–11, giving 40 qualified teams the chance to fight for a $2 million prize pool and all-important Championship Points, which count toward ALGS Year 6 Championship qualification in Sapporo, Japan.
Teams will be split into four round-robin groups of ten. The top 14 teams advance directly to the Match Point Finals, while those ranked 15th–34th move on to the Survivor Stage. The top six from the Survivor Stage will join them in the Finals in a clash for the crown.
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
Think Championship Weekend marks the end of the season? Think again. Call of Duty returns to EWC 2026 from Aug. 5–9, with 16 teams battling through two double-elimination groups before the top eight advance to a single-elimination Playoffs bracket for the bulk of the $1.8 million prize pool.
All 12 CDL partners will be in attendance, competing alongside the top three finishers from the CDL Challengers Finals and the Last Chance Qualifier winner. After OpTic Texas swept Vancouver Surge 4–0 last year, the target is firmly on the defending champions’ backs.
Place your Call of Duty bets today!
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Call of Duty: Warzone
Call of Duty: Warzone drops into Paris from July 30–Aug. 2, serving as the grand finale to the inaugural Warzone Resurgence Series. With a massive $1 million prize pool on the line for the 32 qualified trios, the stage is primed for yet another chaotic fight for survival.
North American underdogs Twisted Minds pulled off a mind-blowing performance last year, locking in five top-four finishes in the first six games to reach match point before clutching out the tenth map to claim the championship. Expect the same explosive plays this time around!
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Chess
After a successful debut, chess is back at EWC 2026 from Aug. 11–15, with a massive $1.5 million up for grabs. This time, 22 players will make their move across an expanded format featuring a double-elimination Play-In, GSL-style Group Stage, and a single-elimination Playoff bracket.
Reigning champion Magnus Carlsen returns to defend the inaugural title after dismantling Alireza Firouzja 3–1 in both sets in last year’s Grand Final. He will join the players who qualified for the Group Stage, while eight Play-In contenders from DreamHack Atlanta and the Last Chance Qualifier fight for the remaining spots.
Place your Chess bets today!
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Counter-Strike 2
Counter-Strike 2 heads to EWC 2026 from Aug. 19–23, with 32 of the world’s best CS2 teams clicking heads for a cut of the $2 million prize pool. Naturally, the road to glory will be tough, with a double-elimination GSL Group Stage and single-elimination Playoffs standing between them and the trophy. After Natus Vincere’s victory in 2024 and The MongolZ’s follow-up a year later, Paris now waits for the next team to etch its name into the history books.
Place your Counter-Strike 2 bets today!
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CrossFire
All eyes turn to CrossFire from Aug. 18–22, as 16 teams collide for a share of the $2 million prize pool and an extra qualification spot at CrossFire Stars. Last year, AG.AL took home $750,000 in prize money after a nail-biting 3–2 victory over rivals BaiSha Gaming in the Grand Final.
With regional powerhouses from China, Brazil, Vietnam, and the West entering the server, another all-out firefight is inevitable. But can AG.AL hold the line, or will a new contender finally break through?
Place your CrossFire bets today!
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Dota 2
Dota 2 steals the Paris spotlight from July 7–19, serving as the culmination of ESL Pro Tour Season 4. Team Spirit returns to defend its title alongside the top 12 teams on the EPT leaderboard and 11 representatives from the Road to EWC qualifiers, all hungrier than ever for the crown.
This year also introduces a tougher format, with 24 teams split into four Bo2 round-robin groups before a single-elimination Survival Stage decides the remaining Playoff slots. With $2 million and global supremacy on the line, EWC is the ultimate litmus test before The International 2026.
Place your Dota 2 bets today!
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EA SPORTS FC 26
The FC Pro 26 World Championship hits the virtual pitch at EWC 2026 from July 22–26, bringing 36 players to compete for a $1.5 million prize pool. It all begins with a six-round League Stage, where the top eight will earn Round of 16 byes while those ranked 9th–24th enter a Knockout Play-In inside the 24-player single-elimination Playoffs.
Reigning champion ManuBachoore of the Netherlands will return to defend his throne, facing a gauntlet that includes eight FC Pro Open qualifiers, 16 direct league qualifiers, and 10 Play-In winners, with 14 LCQ players battling for a route into the Play-Ins.
Place your E-soccer bets today!
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FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves
Ready to throw hands? FATAL FURY returns to the EWC 2026 stage from July 8–11, doubling the field to 32 fighters with another $1 million on the line.
Players must scrap through two GSL-style groups before the final eight advance to a single-elimination Playoff bracket. Defending champion GO1 from Japan will look to run it back after defeating Xiaohai 5–3 with Kain in last year’s Grand Final, though tougher opponents now stand in his way.
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Fortnite
The Fortnite Reload Elite Series makes its debut at EWC 2026 from Aug. 19–22, serving as the inaugural Global Championship for the Reload game mode. Forty duos will battle through the Group, Survival, and Finals stages for a $1 million prize pool.
Fortnite’s return to the EWC is a welcome addition, with Reload putting a frantic spin on the traditional battle royale formula. With a tighter map and respawns, expect minimal downtime, heightened pressure, and endless highlight-reel eliminations from the opening drop.
Place your Fortnite bets today!
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Free Fire
It’s already been a scorcher, but Free Fire will crank up the heat even further in Paris. From July 15–18, 24 teams must survive a gauntlet of Group, Survival, and Final Stages, with a massive $1 million prize pool and a direct invite to the Global Finals in Bangkok up for grabs.
EVOS Divine put on a masterclass last year, absolutely crushing their opponents and racking up a whopping 170 points in the Finals. Now, the defending champions return to the server to prove their triumph wasn’t a fluke.
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Honor of Kings x Arena of Valor
Honor of Kings returns under the World Cup banner from July 30–Aug. 8, with defending champion AG.AL leading a 20-team field into battle for $3 million. This year’s event also unites HoK and AoV teams under a single umbrella, creating a cross-title tournament for the expanded global field.
Eight teams will fight through two GSL Play-In groups, with only four advancing to join 12 seeded contenders in the Group Stage. From there, the top eight will proceed to the single-elimination Playoffs in an epic fight for the crown.
Place your Honor of Kings bets today!
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League of Legends
Think the Rift will cool down after MSI? Not a chance. EWC 2026 brings League of Legends to Paris from July 15–19, dropping right after the Mid-Season Invitational. With a $2 million prize pool and a third split right around the corner, EWC 2026 is a key bridge between League’s biggest chapters.
Defending champions Gen.G headline a 16-team lineup that includes domestic league representatives and regional qualifiers, all fighting through a GSL-style Group Stage and a single-elimination Playoffs bracket.
Place your League of Legends bets today!
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Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
The MLBB Mid Season Cup takes over EWC 2026 from July 22–Aug. 1, bringing 16 teams to Paris for a colossal $3 million prize pool. The main event opens with two eight-team double-elimination Group Stage brackets, with the top four from each group advancing to the single-elimination Knockouts.
Last year, Team Liquid PH dethroned Selangor Red Giants with a convincing 4–1 Grand Final victory. Now, the MSC title is once again up for grabs in Paris.
Place your Mobile Legends: Bang Bang bets today!
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Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (Women’s International)
Looking for more MLBB action? The MLBB Women’s International keeps the momentum rolling at EWC 2026 from July 14–18, inviting 16 of the world’s best women’s teams to collide in Paris for a share of $500,000. Teams will fight through two double-elimination groups, with the top eight advancing to a single-elimination Knockout.
Team Vitality set the benchmark last year, finishing a flawless run by wiping Gaimin Gladiators from the server with a 4–0 victory for the crown. Can anyone knock the reigning queens from their throne?
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Overwatch
With the OWCS Champions Clash officially wrapped, all eyes turn to the Overwatch Champions Series Midseason Championship at EWC 2026. Touching down in Paris from July 29–Aug. 2, 16 teams, headlined by EWC champions Team Falcons and Champions Clash winners Crazy Raccoon, will collide for a $1 million bounty.
While the narrative is set for an absolute classic, the format leaves practically zero room for error. Teams must battle through a double-elimination Group Stage and a single-elimination Playoff bracket.
Place your Overwatch bets today!
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PUBG Battlegrounds
PUBG BATTLEGROUNDS returns to EWC 2026 for a third year, dropping into Paris from July 21–26. Sandwiched right between the PNC and the PGS Circuit 3 Series Final, EWC serves as a critical mid-season checkpoint for teams hoping to make a statement and claim their cut of the $2 million prize pool.
The tournament format remains unchanged from last year, splitting the 24 participating teams into a cross-group round-robin. From there, the top 16 squads will punch their tickets to the Grand Finals, where the pressure will reach its boiling point.
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PUBG Mobile
Want more battle royale action? The PUBG Mobile World Cup hits Paris from Aug. 6–16, matching last year’s stakes with a massive $3 million prize pool. The midseason international tournament will also feature an expanded lineup of 32 teams, including the PMWC 2024 and PMGC 2025 champions, Alpha7.
Additionally, EWC 2025 champions Yangon Galacticos will return to defend their title, competing across three stages: Group, Survival, and Grand Finals for the PMWC title. Come hungry because there’ll be plenty of Winner Winner Chicken Dinners to go around!
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Rainbow Six Siege X
Rainbow Six is back at EWC 2026 for a third time from Aug. 4–15, boasting a $2 million prize pool and a direct qualification slot to the Six Invitational 2027 in Brazil. This year, the heat is cranked up, thanks to an expanded field of 22 teams and dual Play-In stages to filter out weaker contenders ahead of the Group and Playoff stages.
Among the heavy hitters are defending champions Team Secret, plus top teams from the regional leagues and Road to EWC qualifiers. Prepare for absolute mayhem in Paris!
Place your Rainbow Six bets today!
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Rocket League
Rocket League will keep the engines running in Paris for EWC 2026 from Aug. 12–16. Reigning champions Karmine Corp return with momentum on their side, but only time will tell if they can stay in top gear and once again claim the lion’s share of the $1 million prize pool.
Teams will be split into two GSL groups of eight, with the top four from each group advancing to a single-elimination Playoff bracket for the crown. You’ll definitely want to fasten your seatbelt for this one!
Place your Rocket League bets today!
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Street Fighter 6
Street Fighter 6 steps back into the EWC 2026 arena from July 29–Aug. 1, inviting 32 of the world’s top brawlers for a shot at the $1 million prize pool. This year, players will have to punch through two GSL-style Group Stages before the final eight throw down in a single-elimination Playoff bracket.
Once again, all eyes will be on Zeng “Xiao Hai” Zhuojun, who landed the final blow at EWC 2024 and EWC 2025. But can the two-time champ pull off a three-peat, or will a new challenger emerge to dethrone him?
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Teamfight Tactics
Following the conclusion of the Space Gods Tactician’s Crown, Teamfight Tactics will head to Paris from July 21–25 with a $500,000 prize pool. Similar to last year, 16 teams will be in attendance, each competing across two phases: a double-elimination GSL format and a single-elimination Playoffs bracket.
Naturally, EWC 2026 features a stacked lineup, including defending EWC champ Weibo alongside representatives from the Road to EWC regional and global qualifiers. Expect the same 200-IQ plays that made previous years so exhilarating!
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TEKKEN 8
The King of Iron Fist returns to EWC 2026 from Aug. 5–8, with 32 players entering the ring to claim their share of the $1 million prize pool. ULSAN remains the man to beat after dismantling LowHigh to secure back-to-back EWC crowns last year. But who is strong enough to end his reign?
To find out, players must survive two double-elimination group phases before the final eight enter a single-elimination Playoff bracket, where one mistake could snuff out an entire title run.
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Trackmania
Trackmania makes its debut at EWC 2026 from Aug. 19–22, putting 32 of the world’s fastest drivers behind the wheel in a race for a $500,000 prize pool. The tournament opens in Cup mode, with players split into two 16-player double-elimination groups and every match played to a 140-point limit.
The top eight from each group advance to the Finals, where the remaining 16 racers enter a single-elimination bracket to crown the first-ever Trackmania EWC champion.
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VALORANT
VALORANT opens EWC 2026 from July 2–12, less than two weeks after Masters London. With little time to rest, 16 teams, including the top contenders from VCT EMEA, Americas, Pacific, and China Stage 1, plus the Road to EWC regional qualifiers, will collide in Paris to compete for a $2 million prize pool.
Defending champion Team Heretics returns after an incredible 3–2 reverse sweep of Fnatic in the 2025 Grand Final. Now, the EMEA powerhouse enters the server with a target on their back as the rest of the pack hunts them down for the crown.
Place your VALORANT bets today!
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