The Esports World Cup is running in Paris through August 23. It moved here from Saudi Arabia due to security concerns related to the Iran war. The shift signals how global esports has become—venues matter, but nothing stops the competition.

Over 2,000 players from 200 clubs and 100 countries are competing across 24 games. The prize pool is $75 million. Dota 2, Valorant, and League of Legends are the headline events.

The Scale

Week 1 delivered unforgettable moments. Fans packed the arenas. The Fan Fest became a destination. Aya Nakamura, Theodora, and DJ Snake performed at the opening ceremony. This isn’t a gaming event in a convention center. It’s a festival.

Dota 2 runs through July 18. Valorant wrapped July 12. League of Legends runs through July 19. Each tournament has $2 million on the line.

Why Paris

Paris is a gaming hub. The venue is world-class. The city brought esports into public consciousness. Parisians packed the opening. They understand the sport, even if they don’t play it.

Moving to Paris after Saudi Arabia was a recalibration. The Esports Foundation recognized the market had shifted. International appeal matters more than mega-money venues.

What’s Next

Mid-July heats up. League of Legends qualifies teams for later rounds. Honor of Kings starts July 30 with a $3 million purse. Counter-Strike 2 runs all summer.

When 2,000 players fly across the world for a prize pool, gaming has become a sport.