The organizer of this year’s Esports World Cup (EWC) has confirmed that delaying the event, which was recently relocated from Saudi Arabia to Paris, was simply “not an option.” The EWC stands as one of the most significant events in competitive gaming, drawing approximately 2,000 professional players vying for a share of a substantial $75 million (£55 million) prize pool.
For the past two years, the tournament had been hosted in Riyadh, the Saudi capital. However, organizers announced this week that the event would be moved due to the escalating conflict and instability in the Middle East.
Mike McCabe, a key organizer for the EWC, explained to BBC Newsbeat that a complete cancellation would have severely impacted esports clubs, many of which depend heavily on streaming rights and prize money for their operations. The EWC’s relocation marks it as the latest major event to be affected by regional tensions, following the cancellation of Formula 1’s Grand Prix races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in April.
As the EWC approached, participating teams began to voice concerns about the implications of the regional situation. “The regional situation and the instability was still a question mark for many of the players and fans,” stated McCabe, who also serves as the deputy CEO of the Esports Foundation, the tournament’s organizing body. He emphasized that potential air travel disruptions were a “primary consideration” in the decision to move the tournament, asserting that the relocation decision was made as proactively as possible.
McCabe clarified that the move was not a result of pressure from players or fans, noting that plans for the EWC to be held outside Saudi Arabia had already been part of a broader strategy. “This was always part of the plan. There’s just been a change of sequence,” he explained. He highlighted the immense logistical challenge: “The EWC runs for seven weeks, but we spend many months planning for it. So for us to pivot the entire event to a different country is a huge undertaking.”
Despite the relocation, McCabe confirmed that the foundation still aims to host the inaugural Esports Nations Cup in Riyadh this November as originally planned, with contingency measures in place should circumstances prevent it. While most spectators will follow matches online, thousands of players and fans will need to adjust their travel arrangements.
British Trackmania esports professional Thomas Cole, known as PAC, is among the competitors. He expressed his initial anticipation: “I was really looking forward to playing in Riyadh, just to see what it would have been like.” Cole, who has previously only competed before European audiences, was keen for a new experience. Now playing for Paris-based Team Vitality, he will compete on home turf, a factor he believes will be significant. “I can continue practicing in Paris if I wanted to, which if anything makes things slightly easier,” he added.
The decision to host the EWC in Saudi Arabia, which has provided substantial investment and funding, has drawn controversy due to the kingdom’s anti-LGBT laws and human rights record. Critics often accuse the Saudi government of “sportswashing” – using investment in popular events to divert attention from its international reputation. This has led some players, commentators, and other esports figures to boycott the event.
Esports pro Emma, or Emzii online, a trophy winner for Team GB, shared her previous concerns regarding the safety of transgender players like herself in Riyadh. She told Newsbeat that the move to Paris is “pretty darn amazing… from an LGBT standpoint.” She anticipates a “massive uptick of people actually willing to go,” describing the new venue as “welcoming and inclusive.” “I don’t think there’s going to be any barriers there for the LGBT community especially,” she added.
McCabe reiterated the tournament’s consistent stance that “everyone is welcome,” a principle he says remains unchanged. However, he acknowledged that the new Paris venue “helps us to increase the global relevance and brings new fans to the ecosystem.”
Notably, Saudi Arabia has recently scaled back some of its sports investments. Last year, the country “mutually agreed” with the International Olympic Committee to terminate a deal to host an Olympics Esports Games.
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