Esports event moves to Paris

The Esports Foundation, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced a 250 million euro investment to host its Video Game World Cup in Paris. The event was originally planned for Riyadh but was moved to Paris due to uncertainties linked to the Middle East conflict.

Economic impact projections

The French government estimated nearly 600 million euros in indirect economic returns from the event, though this figure is a projection and not an actual measured balance. The event’s shift to Paris was decided just under eight weeks before its start, highlighting the complexity of such logistical changes.

Ticket sales and audience figures

From July 6 to August 23, the event sold 175,000 tickets across 25 tournaments, surpassing the 90,000 sold in the previous Saudi edition. Organizers claim 850 million online viewers, with some matches, like those of Karmine Corp, drawing more than 7,000 spectators in person.

Tourism and economic impact

The Paris tourism office noted that a similar e-sports event in 2023 generated about 32 million dollars, though that event was shorter. The current event’s economic impact may be limited, as the majority of ticket buyers are likely local, and the event’s duration spreads out visitor impact over several weeks.

Event finances and strategy

The tournament did not balance its budget, and the organizers acknowledged this openly. The event was not intended to be self-sustaining but rather a strategic move for Saudi Arabia, which sees e-sports as a key component of its Vision 2030 plan, backed by a 38 billion dollar investment in video gaming.

Future of the event in Paris

The Esports World Cup is set to return to Riyadh as early as July 2027, while Paris has not secured a firm date for a future hosting. Despite hosting the event, Paris has yet to prove it can retain the event long-term, highlighting the competitive nature of such high-profile e-sports tournaments.