The Esports World Cup 2026 is underway in Paris, bringing together more than 2,000 players. It also brings 200 esports clubs from over 100 countries, and a record $75 million prize pool across 25 tournaments. While the event marks the first international edition of the Esports World Cup, French regulators have reminded the public that betting on esports remains illegal in France.
Running until August 23 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, the seven-week tournament follows a global qualification process. This process involved more than 1.5 million players competing in 330 events worldwide.
France Reaffirms Esports Betting Ban
Ahead of the competition, France’s National Gaming Authority (ANJ) issued a public warning. It stated that wagering on esports competitions is prohibited under French law.
The regulator explained that video game competitions cannot accept bets due to concerns over match integrity, particularly for tournaments that do not comply with France’s Internal Security Code. It also warned that websites offering esports betting to French residents operate illegally. In addition, these sites lack essential consumer protections such as age verification, dispute resolution, and responsible gambling safeguards.
ANJ further cautioned players about the risks of financial losses, identity theft, banking fraud, malware, and gambling addiction when using unlicensed betting platforms.
Paris Hosts Global Esports Showcase
The Esports World Cup has expanded beyond its Saudi Arabian origins, with Paris hosting the event’s first international edition. Organizers said the tournament aims to unite the global esports community through annual competition. In addition, it aims to strengthen the Club Championship format, where results across multiple titles contribute to an overall club ranking.
France’s Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life, Marina Ferrari, described the event as an important milestone for the country and confirmed that France will introduce its 2026–2030 national esports development strategy later this year.
DarkAngel Claims First Championship
The tournament’s first title was won by Luis Guadalupe “DarkAngel” Castillo Gomez of NAVI, who defeated Virtus.Pro’s Kenta “mi2ha4” Ichihara 4–1 in the FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves grand final.
As the World Cup continues through August, French authorities have reiterated that while hosting world-class esports competitions is encouraged, betting on those events remains prohibited under national law.
