HRH Prince Faisal: EWC Paris an “expansion,” not a setback for Saudi development

The relocation of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 from Riyadh to Paris, France, is being positioned not as a strategic retreat, but as a milestone demonstrating the maturity and flexibility of the tournament and festival as a global entertainment platform. 

The shift, officially enacted by the Esports Foundation in May 2026 amid regional security concerns in the Middle East, raised questions regarding the future of the tournament’s primary objective: catalysing local technological and industrial development within Saudi Arabia, as stated in an interview in August 2025.

Addressing whether the shift represents a setback for Saudi Arabia’s national tech-development initiatives, HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Board Member of the Esports Foundation, said that the decision was ultimately made to guarantee a stable, world-class operational environment for the global community, but does not alter the domestic developmental trajectory or the localised investment pipeline.