According to Techub News, the Esports World Cup Foundation has announced that the 2026 edition of the tournament will take place in Paris from July 6 to August 23, featuring a record total prize pool of $75 million. The event will relocate from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Paris and will include 24 game titles, including Valorant and CS2.
In terms of sponsorship, the organizer stated that blockchain and cryptocurrency companies holding a license from the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) are now eligible to become sponsors. However, under the sponsorship rules, crypto sponsors are strictly prohibited from conducting on-site activation activities or direct token integrations. This move opens the door for the crypto industry to engage with major esports events while setting clear regulatory boundaries. Previously, crypto exchange Kraken announced it had become the official cryptocurrency exchange supporter for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, signaling accelerated efforts by crypto firms to secure partnerships with top-tier sports and esports events.