More than 2,000 players from over 100 countries and 200 clubs are participating in the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 in Paris, competing across 24 games and 25 competitions with a total prize pool exceeding 75 million dollars.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the event has attracted athletes from traditional sports, including Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios. Kyrgios, who previously visited Riyadh for a past edition, stated that he regularly plays games such as League of Legends, Pokémon, and Call of Duty.
Kyrgios noted that while tennis relies on direct duels and intense concentration, esports provide a more dynamic rhythm and collective competitions. He suggested that these two worlds offer complementary experiences and expressed interest in creating bridges between tennis and esports fans.
The presence of various sports figures at the Paris edition indicates a growing interest in esports beyond its traditional gaming audience. The source did not specify the names of other athletes in attendance.
What are the scale and prizes of the Esports World Cup 2026? The current edition of the Esports World Cup in Paris is a large-scale event featuring more than 2,000 players. These participants represent over 200 clubs from more than 100 different countries, competing in 25 competitions that cover 24 separate games. The total prize pool for the event is reported to exceed 75 million dollars.
Why is Nick Kyrgios involved in the Esports World Cup? Nick Kyrgios, an Australian tennis player, attended the EWC 2026 in Paris to share his passion for gaming. He is a regular practitioner of several games, including Pokémon, Call of Duty, and League of Legends. Having previously visited Riyadh for a prior edition, he views the competitive spirit as a common link between traditional sports and esports.
How does Nick Kyrgios compare tennis to esports? Kyrgios explains that the appeal lies in their differences, noting that tennis is based on intense concentration and direct duels. In contrast, he describes esports as offering a more dynamic rhythm and competitions that are often collective. He believes these two environments are not opposing but instead provide complementary experiences for both the public and the athletes.