French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attended the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup 2026 on Sunday.
The event signals a shift in global gaming infrastructure and the use of competitive gaming as a tool for diplomatic engagement between France and Saudi Arabia.
The ceremony took place at the Grand Palais in Paris [1], [2]. This iteration of the tournament is the first time the Esports World Cup has been hosted outside of Saudi Arabia [4].
The competition featured more than 2,000 elite players [1] representing more than 100 countries [1]. The presence of both leaders at the Grand Palais highlights the growing intersection of state diplomacy and the digital entertainment industry.
Officials said the event was a showcase of esports diplomacy [4]. By bringing the tournament to the French capital, the organizers aimed to expand the reach of the competition beyond the Middle East.
While some reports described the event as an award ceremony [3], other records identify it as the official closing ceremony of the 2026 tournament [2]. The event concluded with the recognition of the top competitors from the global field [1].
“The 2026 tournament marks the first time the event has been hosted outside of Saudi Arabia.”
The movement of the Esports World Cup to Paris indicates Saudi Arabia's strategy to internationalize its gaming investments. By partnering with France, the Kingdom leverages the cultural prestige of Paris to legitimize its role as a global hub for esports, while France positions itself as a primary European gateway for the industry.
