Behind The Scenes Of The EWC Move To Paris
As always the messaging and the reality differ from one another
After weeks of rumours it was finally confirmed on May 20th that the Esports World Cup (EWC), the $75 million series of tournaments ran in conjunction with the Saudi Arabian state, would have to move to Paris. This move was necessitated following strikes from Iran on several targets around Riyadh, including missiles aimed at the Riyadh airport, which were intercepted without them finding their targets. These attacks have seen several live events in Riyadh cancelled, including Formula 1, music festivals and cryptocurrency conferences.
In a press release announcing the change the CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, which now seems to refer to itself simply as the “Esports Foundation” in official literature, issued the following statement.
“Riyadh helped turn the Esports World Cup into a global phenomenon. Riyadh is the home of EWC and one of the world’s leading hubs for esports, powered by an incredible community of fans and long-term ambition for the future of the sport. This year, we’re excited to bring EWC to Paris for its first edition outside Saudi Arabia. Paris has hosted some of the world’s biggest sporting events and is one of the great global capitals of sport, culture and entertainment. Together with the passion of French fans and the strong support we’ve received locally, we’re excited to bring the global esports community there for the next chapter of EWC. Paris now becomes the first international chapter in EWC history.”
The same press releasee also referred to the move as “decided to accelerate that international rotation ambition” and in reporting by the BBC a spokesperson for the EWC also added “”This was always part of the plan. There’s just been a change of sequence.” The messaging seems to suggest the plan was always to move the event abroad and turn the World Cup into a roadshow.
However, after interviewing several sources about this change to the event, they stated that not only was it never the plan to have the EWC finals moved out of Riyadh, they also showed proof that essential workers on the project were being told that the event would still take place in Riyadh as late as the day before the above announcement.
One source with knowledge of the internal planning of the event explained:
“There were essentially two groups having two separate discussions” they said. “The c-suite, the partners including Riot Games and the organisations were all looking for alternatives after concerns around travel and safety were raised repeatedly. In the beginning there was pushback and it was stated no move was necessary. As the conflict continued it became clear not everyone agreed with this and after discussions the planning stage of the change of venue began.”
This is at odds with the aforementioned reporting in the BBC where the EWC spokesperson was at pains to make it known that “pressure from players and fans did not influence the relocation.”
“Anyone not at that level” the source continued “was kept in the dark. Project Managers were told that if asked, the event was still happening in Riyadh and that everyone had to be prepared to travel there. Even when the first leaks about Paris happened, everyone was still being told the same thing. Ignore the rumours, it’s in Riyadh.”
This publication has seen communications that confirm this to be true, however we cannot publish them without potentially compromising the sources that provided them. The staff email communicating the change, sent just minutes before the public announcement, read:
“Hi Team,
We are reaching out to give you notice of a significant change in circumstances regarding the Esports World Cup in 2026.
In light of recent developments regarding the regional situation and in the interest of ensuring stability for teams, players, fans, staff and other interested parties, the decision has been made to host EWC 2026 in Paris, France. Dates for the overall event are unchanged.
While we are committed to retaining the same scope for EWC as originally planned, with the full lineup of game titles, a shift of this nature means that there may be some minor changes. We expect that this will only affect a handful of titles and will be in touch shortly if your travel/working arrangement need to be adjusted. All previously communicated travel dates and game allocations remain valid unless we inform you otherwise.
Details will be finalised shortly and we aim to send out any relevant updates in the coming days.”
Freelance broadcast workers were also kept in the dark about a possible destination, having to choose between committing to Riyadh during a period of conflict, or passing on an event that for many represents a sizeable portion of their annual income. One broadcaster we spoke with said that negotiations, that had taken place many weeks before the announcement, had been a lot more tense this year than before.
“When I first raised the question of whether it was in Riyadh they basically said ‘why wouldn’t it be?’ as if nothing was happening. I had to bring up the war and then asked about safety measures. Again, I was treated as if the question was stupid and was assured that the event would be as safe as any other year. When I brought up an increase in my rates because of the inherent risks in travel to the country, let’s just say the energy in the conversation changed.”
This publication also learned of multiple members of broadcast talent who had planned on missing out on EWC when its original destination was Riyadh but are now on course to participate now it’s in Paris.
Currently the team behind the events, including ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), are scrambling to have the seven week calendar make sense. Sources familiar with the process explained some tournaments are going to be shortened to enable others to be lengthened depending on the logistics involved in running a tournament. They said the goal was to ensure that no tournaments were cut from the schedule but also for the bigger stature tournaments to have room for any potential problem associated with the move.
A group has also been tasked with coming up with a contingency for the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), an international competition that focuses on the best individuals and teams competing for national glory. The inaugural event is scheduled for November and there are concerns that the conflict with Iran will not be resolved by then. One source stated “if it becomes necessary the likely outcome is it will take place in Paris, especially if the EWC there doesn’t run into any issues.”
So, while the public messaging from EWC is of everything being on track, the reality is the pivot to Paris has caused problems that are still being resolved. Those problems need quick turnarounds as the event is due to take place on 6th July.
There is no war in Ba-Sing-Se
Most expected confirmation ever? Lmao
Thanks for doing the journalism the BBC is seemingly incapable of, Richard, and remember to be suspicious of any invite to the EWC that says "suitcase provided"