The Esports World Cup 2026 is underway in Paris, running from July 6 through August 23, and it is bigger than ever in almost every measurable way. The overall prize pool has grown to $75 million, up from $71.5 million the previous year, cementing its place as one of the largest annual esports events on the planet.
Paris opens a door crypto sponsors could not walk through before
France’s PSAN licensing framework, which governs registered digital asset service providers, now permits licensed crypto firms to participate in jersey placements and digital sponsorships at events like this one. Licensed firms are barred from running on-site token activations or any betting-adjacent promotions.
The event is organized by the Esports Foundation, which is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, in partnership with ESL FACEIT Group. The original venue was Riyadh.
Twenty-four teams, $2M on the line, and a prediction market watching every match
