Esports World Cup Foundation Launches Road to EWC 2026 with 230+ Global Tournaments

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) announced on February 7, 2026, the formal launch of "Road to EWC 2026," its official global qualification program that gives competitors a season-long pathway to the Esports World Cup 2026 in Riyadh, scheduled for July 6 through August 23. The ambitious initiative features more than 230 qualifying tournaments and competitions spanning all major regions and competition levels.

The qualification structure utilizes a unified global calendar that links participating publisher leagues, international events, and open qualifiers across multiple esports titles. Competitive games included in the program span League of Legends, Valorant, Call of Duty, Fortnite, Apex Legends, PUBG, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Rocket League, Tekken, Street Fighter, Trackmania, and Chess. The comprehensive approach ensures that players at every skill level have opportunities to compete for spots at the premier event.

The Road to EWC 2026 program emphasizes inclusivity by offering a clear pathway from grassroots and online competitions through to the Esports World Cup stage. Open online qualifiers and community competitions will run across Call of Duty: Warzone, Dota 2, Teamfight Tactics, and Chess, providing accessible routes to qualification for grassroots players who want to compete alongside the best professionals from official circuits. This democratization of access represents a significant shift in how major esports tournaments structure their qualification processes.

To support the competitive ecosystem, the EWCF announced a $20 million investment to support 40 clubs through six-figure funding packages, fan engagement programs, and brand development initiatives. This financial commitment aims to strengthen the infrastructure of professional esports organizations and ensure sustainable growth for teams participating in the qualification circuit. The club support program recognizes the crucial role that established organizations play in developing talent and maintaining competitive integrity.

Fan engagement lies at the heart of the initiative, with a dedicated Road to EWC hub launching on esportsworldcup.com. The platform will feature all qualification events, including dates, locations, formats, and viewing options, with opportunities for fans to follow their favorite teams and players throughout the season. The centralized hub aims to make the complex qualification landscape more accessible and transparent for the global esports audience. As the esports industry continues to mature, the Road to EWC 2026 represents one of the most comprehensive qualification structures ever implemented, setting new standards for competitive pathways in the sector.