Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, and the Esports Foundation (EF) have announced an expanded partnership that maintains Saudia as the official airline partner of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026.
As part of the deal, Saudia will support the EWC’s first edition held outside Saudi Arabia, which is taking place in Paris, France. The centerpiece of the announcement is what the two organisations describe as the world’s first commercial aircraft dedicated to an esports event.
The specially branded plane was revealed at an official ceremony at Saudia Technic in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and it will fly daily between Riyadh and Paris for the duration of the tournament. After that, it will continue flying across Saudia’s international network for the next two years, acting as a lasting symbol of the partnership between the airline and the Esports World Cup.
As the official airline of EWC 2026, Saudia is also running travel initiatives to move players, fans, content creators, clubs, and event staff between Riyadh and Paris. The announcement also confirmed that the passengers on Saudia flights can also watch EWC-related content, including the documentary Esports World Cup: Level Up, through BEYOND, the airline’s inflight entertainment system. Some live tournament broadcasts will also be shown in Saudia lounges during the event.
Saudia stated that the airline has already flown thousands of staff members, selected “Superfans,” content creators, and players to Paris, with more travel planned in the coming weeks. Through the EWC Superfan program, the airline is helping selected fans attend the tournament in person, while also bringing content creators from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to cover the event for audiences back home.
The partnership also includes a community Fortnite tournament that will feature a new map that includes a branded airport and Saudia aircraft designed to resemble the real-life EWC livery. Winners of the tournament will receive tickets to attend EWC 2026 in Paris.
Francois Desir, Director of Sponsorship and Advertising at the Esports Foundation, said, “The Esports World Cup has always been about bringing people together through a shared passion for gaming. Our expanded partnership with Saudia allows us to extend that experience beyond the competition, connecting communities from Saudi Arabia to Paris and celebrating esports throughout the journey. From the world’s first commercial aircraft dedicated to an esports event to onboard programming and fan experiences, our partnership reflects the global reach and cultural impact esports has today.”
Mr. Ibrahim Binaquil, Head of Marketing at Saudia Group, said, “The Esports World Cup reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing role in bringing people together through world-class experiences that resonate with audiences around the globe. As the Kingdom’s national flag carrier, our role extends beyond travel to connecting people with experiences that create lasting memories and strengthen cultural exchange. This partnership allows us to engage a new generation while showcasing the energy, creativity and ambition that define Saudi Arabia today.”
Saudia Airlines’ 2026 EWC deal isn’t its first move in esports. It builds on the partnership the airline and EWC first kicked off in 2025. Beyond working with the tournament organiser, Saudia has also joined hands with Saudi Arabian esports and gaming content organisation POWR Esports on a project that brings together gaming, travel, and entertainment
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