Macron and Saudi officials celebrate EWC’s Paris success at closing ceremony

As the Esports World Cup 2026 concluded last night in Paris, with an announcement that the 2027 edition will once again be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Emmanuel Macron, President of France, and Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, came together at the conclusion of the event. Alongside the two heads of state, Cristiano Ronaldo, a figurehead for Saudi Arabia and the EWC, and Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, were also in attendance, as were several government officials, including Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot and Minister of Sports Marina Ferrari.

With every major figure on the rise at this 2026 edition, including 13% more viewers, 26% more hours watched, and 94% more tickets sold, this first venture outside the Saudi kingdom appears to have been a success for the PIF's project. Initially conceived as a tool of soft power and sportswashing, the EWC visibly embodied this role on Sunday, August 23, during its closing ceremony, which was held at the Grand Palais, one of the French capital's most iconic landmarks and a venue that notably hosted fencing events during the Olympic Games.

“We are proud of what the Esports World Cup has achieved in Paris and of its continued international growth,” said Prince Faisal bin Bandar, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Esports Foundation. His words were echoed by EF CEO Ralf Reichert: “Paris embraced the Esports World Cup and made it its own,” while also thanking the city for its seven weeks “of incredible support and fandom.”

In a post on social media, the President of France explained that “France is proud to have hosted the Esports World Cup in Paris this summer.” For him, as for the Foundation's executives, the event was “a success” as well as “the result of the ambition we share with Saudi Arabia to grow esports and bring our talents and our countries closer together.” On this point, the press release sent after the closing ceremony recalled that the Foundation and the French Ministry of Sports, Youth and Community Life had signed a Memorandum of Understanding ahead of the EWC.

Obviously, beyond these more political statements, the participants at the evening also applauded the Chinese organization AG.AL International for its success. Macron naturally placed particular emphasis on the French-speaking figures at the event, highlighting “Gwen (Gwendal Duparc), whose victory in Trackmania was decisive,” with his final securing the title for his club, as well as “Team Vitality on the podium at home.” In a quote included in the press release, Eddy Chen, COO of All Gamers, said that “winning the Club Championship is a historic milestone for AG.AL and a proud moment for everyone who believed in what we are building.”