The 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC) officially kicked off with an opening ceremony at La Seine Musicale, Paris, France, marking the first time the Esports World Cup has been held outside of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
"The opening ceremony is our welcome to the world that this historic event has begun," said Esports Foundation Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer Mike McCabe, as quoted from the EWC 2026 website on Friday.
The opening ceremony featured a mix of musical performances, augmented reality visuals, cinematic narratives, and performances by renowned French artists such as Aya Nakamura, DJ Snake, Theodora, and Mosimann.
The event celebrated players, esports clubs, and Paris as the host city for EWC 2026, kicking off the seven-week global competition series.
"As we bring EWC 2026 to Paris for the first time, we want to celebrate the city through the artists who have helped shape French music and culture today," said McCabe.
"Aya Nakamura, DJ Snake, and Theodora each represent something different, but together they embody the creativity and influence that makes Paris such a special place to host this event."
