The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has officially launched Road to EWC 2026, a massive global qualification program that unites more than 230 esports tournaments worldwide into a single, season-long competitive pathway leading to the Esports World Cup 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Designed to connect multiple game ecosystems, publishers, and competitive levels, Road to EWC establishes the most comprehensive qualification structure in esports history—giving players, teams, and fans a clear and unified roadmap to the world’s biggest esports stage.
Road to EWC 2026 Connects the Global Esports Ecosystem
Running across every major esports region, Road to EWC 2026 integrates publisher-led leagues, elite international tournaments, and grassroots qualifiers into one cohesive calendar. The season culminates at the Esports World Cup 2026, taking place in Riyadh from July 6 to August 23, 2026.
By aligning qualification routes across multiple titles and competitive ecosystems, the program removes fragmentation from the esports calendar and replaces it with a transparent, year-round journey for competitors and fans alike.
From rising amateurs to established pros, Road to EWC offers players and Clubs a clearly defined path to qualification, while giving publishers and organizers a stable framework to plan their competitive seasons.
A Unified Vision for Competitive Integrity and Sustainability
According to the Esports World Cup Foundation, the Road to EWC initiative is built to strengthen competitive integrity and ensure long-term growth across the global esports industry.
Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer of EWCF, described the program as a milestone moment for esports:
Road to EWC brings together the journeys that define competitive gaming. With a clear qualification season in place, players can focus on performance, Clubs can invest with confidence, publishers can align their ecosystems, and fans know exactly when the biggest moments will happen. This is how esports grows sustainably, inclusively, and globally.
Official Qualification Pathways Across Major Esports Titles
Road to EWC 2026 is deeply embedded within the global esports ecosystem, utilizing official leagues and premier tournaments as qualification routes to the Esports World Cup.
Confirmed qualification pathways include:
- Apex Legends Global Series
- Capcom Cup
- Chess.com Global Championship
- Combo Breaker
- CROSSFIRE Pro League
- EA Sports FC Pro
- EVO
- Free Fire World Series
- Fortnite Reload Elite Series
- King Pro League (Honor of Kings)
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang MWI 2026
- Overwatch Champions Series
- PUBG Global Series
- PUBG MOBILE Global Open
- Rocket League Championship Series
- SNK World Championship (Fatal Fury)
- TEKKEN World Tour Finals
In addition, official esports circuits for Call of Duty, League of Legends, Fortnite, Rainbow Six Siege, Trackmania, and VALORANT will all feed directly into EWC 2026 qualification.
Open Qualifiers Create Opportunities for Grassroots Players
Beyond established leagues, open online qualifiers and community competitions will provide accessible routes to the Esports World Cup for aspiring players.
Titles supporting open qualification include:
- Call of Duty: Warzone
- Dota 2
- Teamfight Tactics
- Chess
These open pathways ensure that grassroots competitors can test themselves against the world’s best, reinforcing Road to EWC’s mission of inclusivity and competitive opportunity.
A Single Calendar for Fans to Follow the Road to Riyadh
All qualifying events under Road to EWC 2026 are organized into a unified Esports World Cup calendar, allowing fans to track progress from regional tournaments all the way to the final stages in Riyadh.
Throughout the season, a global multi-channel marketing campaign will deliver match highlights, live streams, VODs, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes features. Influencers and creators will also provide on-site coverage from major qualifying events across multiple esports titles.
Building on the Legacy of Road to EWC 2025
The Road to EWC program builds on the success of the 2025 season, which saw over 2,500 players from more than 100 countries qualify for the Esports World Cup, representing over 200 Clubs worldwide.
Memorable moments included:
- Free Fire prodigy Rasyah “Rasyah” Rasyid, who became the youngest Esports World Cup winner at just 15 years old
- EA Sports FC champion Manuel “ManuBachoore” Bachoore adding another gold to his legacy
- Street Fighter icon Zeng “Xiao Hai” Zhuojun cementing his place among esports legends
- Team Falcons claiming their second Club Championship after a dramatic Overwatch 2 run from the Last Chance Qualifier to OWCS Midseason Championship glory
With Road to EWC 2026 now underway, a new chapter of esports history is ready to be written.
Road to EWC Hub and Esports World Cup 2026 Tickets Now Live
Fans can explore all Road to EWC qualification events through a dedicated hub on esportsworldcup.com, featuring detailed schedules, formats, locations, and viewing options throughout the season.
Meanwhile, the first wave of tickets for the Esports World Cup 2026 is now available via esportsworldcup.com and official international ticketing partners, including Tixr, Webook, Platinumlist, and Damai. Limited travel packages through Saudia Holidays are also available for early purchasers.
To learn more about EWC, visit esportsworldcup.com and follow Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn.
