A three-year agreement between the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) and Epic Games will see Fortnite and Rocket League feature at the annual Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, starting in 2026.
The partnership, announced on 17th December 2025, aims to establish structured competitive ecosystems for both titles at the event, with Fortnite’s debut including a championship boasting a $1 million prize pool.
The collaboration will see the Fortnite Reload Elite Series Championship integrated into the 2026 tournament schedule in Saudi Arabia. The championship final will be contested by the top 40 Duos from an online qualification series. Rocket League, which has been a fixture in previous Riyadh tournaments, will also return as part of the multi-year deal.
Fabian Scheuermann, Chief Games Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, stated: “Hosting the Fortnite Reload Elite Series Championship at EWC introduces a new global, multi-year competitive ecosystem at the world’s biggest esports event. With a massive fanbase around the world, and particularly in Saudi Arabia, we look forward with excitement to welcoming the Fortnite community, including fans, pros, and creators to Riyadh next summer.”
The inclusion of Fortnite marks a reinstatement after its absence from the 2025 EWC. At the time, Foundation CEO Ralf Reichert had cited a perceived lack of a competitive-designed structure for the game. The statement possibly relates to an ecosystem that, although it is robust in terms of competitions and prizing, does not prioritise clubs, a central feature for the EWC since performances in all games contribute points towards the overall Esports World Cup Club Championship. The reinclusion at the EWC might foster club participation in the title’s competitive scene.
Rocket League, by contrast, has been a consistent presence in major Saudi esports events since the Gamers8 tournament that preceded the EWC.
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