The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has officially launched its Road to EWC programme, establishing a structured global qualification season for the upcoming Esports World Cup 2026 (EWC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The initiative integrates over 230 tournaments worldwide into its competitive calendar, aiming to unify disparate game ecosystems and create clearer competitive pathways for players and clubs.

The qualification pathways will utilise existing major circuits for titles including the Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS), Capcom Cup, EA Sports FC Pro, the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS), and the official leagues for Call of Duty, League of Legends, and VALORANT, among others. The programme also incorporates open online qualifiers for Dota 2, Teamfight Tactics, Chess, and Call of Duty: Warzone, aiming to provide accessible routes for grassroots competitors.

This expansive programme connects publisher-led leagues, elite international events, and endemic qualifiers across every major region. The season will run throughout 2026, culminating at the main Esports World Cup event. In a press release, the foundation stated the structure is designed to bolster competitive integrity, encourage long-term investment, and support the sustainable growth of the global esports industry by providing a predictable framework for all stakeholders.

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“Road to EWC brings together the journeys that shape competitive esports,” said Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “By creating a defined qualification season, it gives the whole industry the confidence to plan; players can focus on performance, Clubs can commit resources earlier, publishers can align their ecosystems, and fans know when and where the biggest moments will happen.”

This announcement builds on the foundation laid by the 2025 event, in which over 2,500 players qualified through the Road to EWC system, representing more than 100 countries and 200 clubs.

The EWCF will support the 2026 season with a multi-channel marketing campaign featuring highlights, interviews, and live coverage from key events. A dedicated hub on the official EWC website will list all qualification events. In January, the Esports World Cup Foundation has also detailed the structure for its 2026 event, centred on a $75 million prize pool.

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