Esports World Cup announces $75m prize pool and 2026 schedule
The Esports World Cup 2026 has announced an impressive record breaking total prize pool of $75 million, marking a $5 million increase from the previous edition.
Organised by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), the event will once again take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, running for seven weeks from July 6 to August 23, 2026.
Over 2,000 players representing more than 200 clubs from over 100 countries are expected to compete across 25 tournaments in 24 esports titles.
The biggest prize pool yet is on the line at the Esports World Cup 2026. 😎
When you’re playing for $75,000,000, every match matters. pic.twitter.com/ejAHIvkvez
— Esports World Cup (@EWC_EN) January 20, 2026
The prize pool distribution emphasises rewarding both individual game champions and overall club performance.
A significant $30 million will go toward the Club Championship, which ranks the top 24 clubs based on their success across multiple titles (with the top club earning a substantial share, as seen in prior years where Team Falcons claimed the crown).
More than $39 million will be allocated directly to the individual game tournaments, with the remaining funds covering special awards such as MVP recognitions and the Jafonso Award. The latter provides an extra $50,000 bonus to players or clubs that win a Game Championship after qualifying through a Last Chance Qualifier (named in honor of Manchester City’s EA FC pro João ‘Jafonso’ Vasconcelos).
Mobile esports titles lead the individual prize pools, with PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings, and the men’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang each offering $3 million. The women’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang invitational features a $500,000 prize pool.
The full seven week schedule includes the debut of Trackmania and locks in all participating titles:
- Week 1 (July 6–12): Valorant ($2m), Apex Legends Global Series ($2m), Dota 2, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves ($1m).
- Week 2 (July 13–19): League of Legends ($2m), Free Fire ($1m), Dota 2 ($2m), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational ($500k).
- Week 3 (July 20–26): EA FC 26 FC Pro World Championship, PUBG Battlegrounds ($2m), Teamfight Tactics ($500k).
- Week 4 (July 27–August 2): Overwatch 2 Champions Series ($1m), Call of Duty Warzone ($1m), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang MSC ($3m), Street Fighter 6 ($1m).
- Week 5 (August 3–9): Call of Duty Black Ops 7 ($1.8m), PUBG Mobile PMWC ($3m), Honor of Kings World Cup ($3m), Tekken 8 ($1m).
- Week 6 (August 10–16): Rocket League ($1m), PUBG Mobile PMWC ($3m), Chess ($2m), Rainbow Six Siege X ($1.5m).
- Week 7 (August 17–23): Counter-Strike 2 ($2m), Fortnite Reload Elite Series ($1m), Crossfire ($2m), Trackmania ($500k).
This expanded lineup and increased funding solidify the Esports World Cup as one of the premier events on the global esports calendar, building on its reputation for competition and substantial rewards for top performers and organizations.
Since: October 29, 2025
