Provided by - Esports Foundation

The Esports Foundation (EF) has brought the largest-ever Esports World Cup 2026 (EWC 2026) to a close after seven weeks of competition in Paris, France, with AG.AL crowned as the ultimate champions.

The tournament brought together over 2,000 players representing more than 200 clubs from over 100 countries worldwide. Competitors fiercely battled across 25 tournaments spanning 24 game titles for a record-breaking total prize pool of $75 million. In the end, AG.AL claimed a dramatic victory in Trackmania, securing a total of 5,300 points to finish at the top of the 'Club Championship' and take home the $7 million first-place prize. AG.AL earned first place in TEKKEN 8, finished as runners-up in Chess, Free Fire, and the Honor of Kings World Cup, and secured third place in Teamfight Tactics. They were followed by Team Falcons in second place with 4,600 points, while Team Vitality (3,300 points), Natus Vincere (2,950 points), and Team Liquid (2,700 points) filled out the top tier of the standings.

The ultimate winner of the event came down to the final weekend of competition. Team Falcons, the two-time reigning champions, held a firm early lead, but the tide turned when their player Carl-Antoni “Carl Jr.” Cloutier fell in the quarterfinals. AG.AL’s Gwendal “Gwen” Duparc then delivered a dominant performance to win the Trackmania final, taking home the $130,000 top prize and sealing the 'Club Championship' victory for his organization. His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan al Saud, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Esports Foundation, said, "We are immensely proud of what the Esports World Cup has achieved in Paris and its continued global expansion. Bringing EWC beyond Saudi Arabia to a global audience marks a significant milestone in the tournament's journey, proving that esports is recognized as a global industry connecting communities, cultures, and audiences worldwide." He added, "The joint presence of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and French President Emmanuel Macron exemplifies the growing importance and global interest in esports, as well as how far this industry has matured. I extend my congratulations to all players, clubs, publishers, partners, and stakeholders who contributed to this event. Paris has written an important chapter in the EWC journey, and we look forward to building upon these achievements."

Eddy Chen, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of AG.AL, stated, "When we began expanding AG.AL globally in 2024, the same year the Esports World Cup launched, we set out to build a club capable of succeeding across games, regions, and cultures. This championship demonstrates how far that vision has come." He added, "Our journey in Paris reflected the strength of our entire organization, from M. Zubair's breakthrough in TEKKEN 8 and strong performances across multiple titles to Gwen delivering the decisive Trackmania victory under extraordinary pressure. This trophy belongs equally to every player, coach, and staff member whose dedication brought us here. I want to thank our Chairman, Layne Le, whose belief and leadership made this journey possible, and the Esports Foundation for creating a global stage that recognizes and rewards the capability and ambition of an entire club. Winning the Club Championship is a historic milestone for AG.AL and a proud moment for everyone who believed in the future we are building."

The event showcased world-class play and delivered numerous upsets and new milestones. France's Caliste “Caliste” Henry-Hennebert led his team Karmine Corp to the League of Legends finals amidst roaring support from the home crowd. Chile's 15-year-old Jaime “Craime” Bustos defeated two former champions to become the youngest winner in EWC history. AG.AL’s Khawaja “M. Zubair” advanced through the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) to win the TEKKEN 8 tournament, earning the prestigious Jafonso Award. In Rocket League, Samy “dralii” Hajji made history as the tournament's first-ever three-time champion, while Magnus Carlsen took the Chess title for the second consecutive year without suffering a single defeat.

Viewership and commercial metrics also set unprecedented records. The tournament was broadcast in 47 languages across more than 100 television and OTT platforms globally, with 5,000 creators participating in co-streaming. Total viewers increased by 13% year-over-year to 850 million, while cumulative watch time rose 26% to 440 million hours. League of Legends led the charge in popularity, reaching 4.3 million peak concurrent viewers. Ticket sales surged 94% compared to 2025, reaching 175,000 tickets sold, while cumulative foot traffic across match venues and Fan Fests over the seven weeks surpassed 2 million visits. The 'Road to EWC' qualification ecosystem played a major role in driving these results, involving over 1.5 million players across 330 qualifier events. Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation, said, "Our goal has always been to grow esports beyond a single event and establish it as a premier global sport. EWC is fulfilling this mission by gathering the best games, players, clubs, and communities on a single global stage." He added, "Paris embraced EWC in its own distinct way, demonstrating that competitive gaming can command the world's largest stages while maintaining its unique appeal. We thank the city of Paris for its passion and support over these seven weeks, and congratulate AG.AL on their remarkable Club Championship victory and writing their name in esports history."

The response within France was equally overwhelming. Over 22,600 promotional campaigns were deployed across Paris, reaching 94% of residents. Driven by surging ticket demand, the Counter-Strike finals were moved to the 20,000-seat Accor Arena for a grand showcase. The Esports Foundation also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the French Ministry of Sports, Youth and Community Life to form a long-term partnership focused on talent cultivation and expanding grassroots esports. Having demonstrated its capacity for global expansion, the EWC will welcome fans once again in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027.