MF: Mohammed Al Nimer, you are the Chief Commercial Officer of the Esports World Cup Foundation. The EWC was established in Riyadh. Hosting it in the French capital is a historic milestone. How did the idea of bringing it to France come about, and why was Paris chosen for this first international edition?
MAN: The Esports World Cup has always been intended to move to a destination other than Riyadh. The regional context has simply accelerated this decision. In our view, France – and Paris in particular – is a true benchmark not only for events but also for culture. We have witnessed the phenomenal success of the Olympic Games in the capital, as well as that of numerous esports events, whether held in the capital or in other major French cities. Choosing Paris as the host for this first international edition was therefore an obvious choice!
MF: The EWC is one of the most-watched events in the world. It brings together 2,000 players from 100 countries. Can you explain what your role is in organizing it?
MAN: I am the Commercial Director of the Esports Foundation. In my role, I oversee the Foundation’s partnerships and commercial initiatives. To go into more detail, this includes: ticketing and hospitality, media rights, advertising and all of the EWC’s revenue streams. Together with my team, we also work on implementing partnerships with brands – whether endemic or not – across various aspects of the event.
For example, Lenovo is the event’s official supplier and makes all its state-of-the-art equipment available to players as well as technical teams throughout the competition. Sony is helping us to create memorable experiences for the fan community and is producing a documentary that chronicles the incredible journey the athletes are on at the heart of this competition. My role therefore involves a great deal of identifying synergies with various partners whose brand identity aligns with the sporting, technological, festive or cultural aspects of our event.
MF: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles (VIPARIS) will host the esports competitions. On the programme: 25 tournaments and a prize pool of 75 million dollars. How does a venue of this scale, designed for major conferences and trade fairs, meet the technical and staging requirements of a global esports event?
MAN: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles has an infrastructure perfectly suited to our vision for the EWC: right from the first edition, we conceived the event as a festival where the public can move freely between the arenas, the various stands and the spaces dedicated to the communities. We have over 70,000m² of usable space, which has enabled us to set up some fantastic facilities that will fully satisfy visitors throughout these seven weeks of competition. We have worked closely with the teams at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and our suppliers to adapt the existing infrastructure as effectively as possible to the technical and staging requirements of the EWC.
Visitors accustomed to seeing the venue in its trade fair and conference format will be very surprised to discover its new look and see how we have managed to transform it for the competition.
MF: Ever since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the concept of legacy has been a key issue for event organisers. In your view, what should the 2026 EWC leave behind in Paris, beyond the seven weeks of competition?
MAN: The 2026 EWC must follow in the footsteps of those major events that have succeeded in transforming Paris for the duration of a summer. Our ambition is to position the competition as a genuine catalyst for esports in France. We want the Esports World Cup to bring together new communities and foster new initiatives for the development of esports at both national and international levels, and to bring about a lasting change in how the sport is perceived, not only by fans but also by newcomers.
MF: Paris is one of the world’s leading destinations for major events. What does the Parisian ecosystem bring to the EWC 2026? How are organisations such as Paris je t’aime – the Tourist Office – and private partners providing you with practical support in organising this edition?
MAN: Paris and all its stakeholders do indeed have extensive experience in organising major international events, whether sporting or cultural. The city boasts state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to major events, transport and accommodation solutions that are up to the task, and its stakeholders demonstrate unrivalled enthusiasm and a high degree of responsiveness. These qualities mean that, as organisers, we can rely on our institutional and private partners with complete confidence. Thanks to their invaluable help, we have been able to roll out a large-scale marketing campaign across the capital. Further promotional activities are also planned across the city, which will help raise awareness of our event amongst as many people as possible.
MF: The French esports community is one of the most active in Europe. To what extent did this local ecosystem influence the decision to choose Paris, and how do you intend to involve it in the event?
MAN: French fans are renowned within the esports world for being the most enthusiastic, the most likely to turn out in force, and the most vocal during tournaments. They help make France a country at the forefront of esports development, with a commitment to supporting this industry at the highest level of government. This incredible ability to rally together was, of course, a key factor in choosing Paris as the host city. The fan community will be an integral part of the event, with numerous highlights dedicated to them, whether it be opportunities to meet and interact with the athletes, or the various activities and events organised specifically for them. More than ever, fans will be at the heart of the programme to turn the world’s biggest esports event into a huge celebration, a true spectacle, where commitment, performance, pushing one’s limits and teamwork will be celebrated.
MF: The EWC 2026 combines elite competitions, a festival for the general public, concerts and cultural events. How do you envisage the experience for someone coming to Paris for the EWC who isn’t necessarily a top-level player?
MAN: The EWC 2026 will indeed be a huge, multifaceted celebration, where everyone can get into the spirit of things, regardless of their level of gaming experience or knowledge of the esports scene. The EWC reflects what gaming is today: a culture in its own right, with links to different worlds – such as music, cinema and manga – which form an integral part of the video game ecosystem. All these elements will come together at the EWC, featuring not only elite competitions bringing together the world’s best players, but also internationally renowned artists for an unforgettable opening ceremony, events taking place across the city, highlights centred on anime and manga, and numerous surprises that will turn this major sporting competition into a true spectacle offering comprehensive and unique experiences.
Paris is a city renowned worldwide for its ability to deliver truly compelling cultural and sporting experiences… The EWC 2026 will reflect the character of the city hosting it.
MF: Organizing an event of this complexity in Paris in just a few months is a considerable logistical challenge. What has this experience taught you about Paris’s ability to host major esports competitions in the future?
MAN: It is precisely the responsiveness of the Parisian ecosystem and the ability of the various partners, both public and private, to embark on this adventure alongside us that has reinforced the choice of the City of Light to host the EWC 2026. Paris has once again demonstrated its ability to be a trailblazer and pioneer in organizing an esports event of this scale. It is a city with immense potential that will now be a key player in organizing future major international competitions. Other regions will need to draw inspiration from the work carried out by all the stakeholders in Paris to achieve such a level of excellence.
MF: If the 2026 EWC in Paris is a success, what do you think the 2030 edition will look like, and what role might Paris play in the future of global esports competition?
MAN: France and Paris are already a genuine hub for European esports. The EWC, the sport’s equivalent of the World Cup, further strengthens Paris’s role in this industry and positions the city as an unmissable destination for these future major events.
2030 is still a long way off, but I have no doubt that Paris has the capacity to support the rapid growth of esports thanks to its infrastructure, its passion for technological innovation, the responsiveness of its stakeholders, and the enthusiastic welcome from its people.
