As instability in the Middle East grows due to the war in Iran, the venue for the world's largest esports festival, the Esports World Cup (EWC), has been changed.
On the 21st (local time), the Saudi Esports Federation (EF) said it would move the EWC, set to open on July 6, from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Paris, France.
EF said, "After long-term review and a comprehensive assessment of recent regional circumstances, we decided to accelerate our plan to rotate the event internationally starting with this year's tournament," adding, "We will provide a clearer and more stable operating environment for players, clubs, game companies, partners, and fans around the world, while maintaining the event's scale, structure, and competitive fairness."
The EWC was first held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2024, offering an unprecedented prize pool in esports history. The first year's total prize money was $60 million, and the amount has increased each year, with $75 million set for this year.
The tournament was initially planned to be held in Riyadh again this year, but the venue was changed as the situation across the Middle East became unstable following the U.S. airstrikes on Iran. Earlier, the Formula One (F1) auto racing series also canceled the Saudi Arabia and Bahrain Grands Prix.
EF Chief Executive Officer Ralph Reichert said, "Paris is a global hub of sports, culture, and entertainment that has hosted numerous world-class sporting events," adding, "With the passion of French fans and strong local support, we will open a new chapter for the EWC together with the global esports community."