6 min learnParisUp to date: Aug 12, 2026 12:06 AM IST
The Arc de Triomphe glows within the colors of the Esports World Cup. A large display on the Trocadéro glints with dwell matches. Billboards alongside the Champs-Élysées flash gamers’ faces as an alternative of perfumes. The streets of Expo Porte de Versailles buzz with followers gathered across the entrance of the exhibition centre.
Paris has been taken over by gaming.
For seven weeks, the French capital has change into the worldwide coronary heart of aggressive gaming or quite, Esports. Greater than 2,000 gamers, 200 golf equipment, from over 100 nations have descended on the Metropolis of Gentle. A file $75 million (approx INR 715 cr) prize pool is up for grabs throughout 25 tournaments. And the town, with its storied historical past of internet hosting world-class occasions and multicultural publicity, has embraced its new position because the epicentre of Esports with open arms.
However this marriage of custom and know-how virtually by no means occurred. The Esports World Cup 2026 was presupposed to be in Riyadh for its third straight version. It was compelled to maneuver out simply weeks earlier than on account of escalating tensions within the Center East, and what adopted was a logistical miracle.
Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, the venue of Esport World Cup 2026. (Specific Photograph)
Groups and tools had been airlifted throughout continents. Visas had been fast-tracked. A venue was remodeled. And Paris, a metropolis recognized for its reverence for artwork and tradition, opened its doorways to a brand new sort of spectacle.
Proper from the second one steps out of Charles de Gaulle Worldwide Airport and goes in the direction of the town centre, the hassle to make this occasion seen is unmistakable. The underground subways, metro stations, hoardings and billboards alongside the highways are all a part of a meticulously deliberate marketing campaign to make sure that the EWC is unimaginable to overlook.
Nassim, a neighborhood Parisian, was a kind of who couldn’t assist however discover.
“We will see the promotion, the advertising and marketing, from a distant standpoint. It’s actually big. Even in case you are not from the Esports group, you’ll be able to see it within the streets… the billboards of the occasion, and it occurring for therefore many weeks displays the size of this occasion,” he says.
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“There are lots of people, not simply from Paris however from all all over the world, who’ve come right here to share their love for Esports. So I imagine that could be a success to that diploma.”
Nassim calls himself an informal gamer, however in the present day, one thing else introduced him to the occasion. “I play Rainbow 6 Siege, however in the present day I’m solely right here for Giannis Antetokounmpo.”
The NBA legend got here for a fan meet-and-greet session, and Nassim believes his presence has pushed a surge in curiosity as effectively. The pull of such icons has been a giant cause for a big crowd.
Varied sights
Whereas Nassim solely travelled just a few kilometres, brothers Ori and Itai satisfied their father to come back all the way in which from London to satisfy their favorite hoopster. The duo didn’t even demand an autograph from the Miami Warmth star; solely a selfie would do.
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Ori admitted on behalf of each brothers: “We don’t know something about it (Esports World Cup). We’re solely right here for Giannis.”
However his brother Itai additionally had his eyes on one other icon. “I do know that Magnus Carlsen is enjoying right here. I wish to meet him.”
Ori is such a giant fan of Antetokounmpo that he has stored the ‘Greek Freak’ as his cell phone’s wallpaper.
L-R: James Kleban along with his cousin and mom & Giannis Antentokounmpo on Ori’s telephone’s wallpaper. (Specific Photograph)
Whereas autographs might not work for some, Octave, who got here along with his little brother and mom, was content material after receiving signatures from his favorite gamers. Octave travelled to Paris from Nancy, a metropolis in northeastern France.
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“I had a stunning time in there. I met all of the skilled gamers. They signed our playing cards. It was very cool. I hope to see them once more tomorrow,” he says.
Octave performs Rocket League along with his mates and needs to take action professionally sooner or later. He says he’s hopeful of constructing a profession on this area.
Making a dwelling in Esports hasn’t all the time been a possible choice. However now that the Esports area has outgrown its nascent stage, James Kleban’s mom would love her son to present it a shot.
Octave with signed T-shirt along with his brother and mom. (Specific Photograph)
James, who lives in Dallas, got here to the occasion along with his French mom and cousin.
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“It was an important expertise for us,” he says. “I’m going to come back tomorrow as effectively. It’s all so enjoyable. So cool to see all of the gamers hanging round. Some skilled athlete got here and sat subsequent to me.”
He performs Fortnite and Minecraft and needs these video games could be included within the Esports class. His mom was stunned to study that gamers don’t signify a selected nation however solely a franchise. Nevertheless, when she heard concerning the Esports Nation Cup – an occasion the place gamers compete underneath the banner of their franchises however signify their nations – her perspective modified. Now, she desires her son to present it a severe shot.
Mike McCabe, Chief Working Officer of the Esports Basis, gave an in depth account of the occasion’s success.
“Paris has been an distinctive host for the Esports World Cup. The response from followers has been unimaginable, with greater than 150,000 tickets already bought and sold-out finals throughout our primary phases. What has been notably thrilling is seeing EWC prolong past the venue and change into a part of the town itself, reaching audiences throughout Paris and welcoming followers from all over the world,” he mentioned.
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He added: “Paris has a deep connection to esports, with world-renowned golf equipment and a passionate gaming group, and bringing EWC right here has given us the chance to construct on that basis whereas introducing the occasion to completely new audiences.”
(The author is in Paris on the invitation of the Esports Basis)