AG.AL wins Esports World Cup 2026 & Paris sets new esports records
(Courtesy :Â AGAL, Esports Foundation, Esports World Cup 2026)
They won $7 million (~INR 66.9 crore) Club Championship title after seven weeks featuring more than 2,000 players, 200 Clubs and 25 tournaments
AG.AL has been crowned Esports World Cup 2026 Club Champion, bringing seven weeks of competition in Paris, France to a close after more than 2,000 players, representing 200 Clubs and over 100 countries, competed across 25 tournaments in 24 games, for a record-breaking $75 million (~INR 717 crore) prize pool.
They secured the $7 million (~INR 66.9 crore) Club Championship title with 5,300 points after a dramatic win in Trackmania, completing a campaign that also included a first-place finish in Tekken 8, second-place finishes in Chess, Free Fire and the Honor of Kings World Cup, and a third-place finish in Teamfight Tactics. T
Team Falcons finished second with 4,600 points, followed by Team Vitality with 3,300 points, Natus Vincere with 2,950 points and Team Liquid with 2,700 points.
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AG.AL: The newly crowned champions!
The title was decided on the final weekend, when AG.ALâs Gwendal âGwenâ Duparc won the EWCâs inaugural Trackmania tournament to secure the Club Championship.
Two-time defending Club Champions Team Falcons entered the Trackmania playoffs leading the overall standings, but Carl-Antoni âCarl Jr.â Cloutierâs quarterfinal exit opened the door for the team.
Needing to finish third or better, Gwen dominated the final to claim the $130,000 (~INR 1.2 crore) tournament prize and the EWC 2026 Club Championship for the team.
âWe are proud of what the Esports World Cup has achieved in Paris and of its continued international growth,â said His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan al Saud, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Esports Foundation. âBringing the EWC to a global audience beyond Saudi Arabia marks an important milestone in its journey and reflects the growing recognition of esports as a global industry, connecting communities, cultures and audiences around the world. The attendance of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, alongside President Emmanuel Macron, is a testament to the growing importance and global interest in esports, and to how far the industry has come. I extend my congratulations to all the players, Clubs, publishers, partners and organisers who contributed to this edition. Paris has been an important chapter in the EWC journey, and we look forward to building on this progress in the years ahead.â
âWhen we began expanding AG.AL globally in 2024, the same year the Esports World Cup launched, we set out to build a Club capable of succeeding across games, regions and cultures. This title shows how far that vision has comeâ said Eddy Chen, COO at AG.AL. âOur journey in Paris reflected the strength of the entire organization, from M. Zubairâs breakthrough in TEKKEN 8 and our deep runs across multiple titles to Gwen delivering the decisive Trackmania victory under extraordinary pressure. But this trophy belongs equally to every player, coach and staff member whose dedication brought us here. I want to thank our Chairman, Mr. Layne Le, whose belief and leadership made this journey possible, and the Esports Foundation for creating a global stage that rewards the depth and ambition of an entire Club. Winning the Club Championship is a historic milestone for AG.AL and a proud moment for everyone who believed in what we are building.â
From start to finish, EWC Paris 2026 showcased elite play and the very best of esports, as legends rose and new stars were born.
Franceâs Caliste âCalisteâ Henry-Hennebert led Karmine Corp on a fairytale run to the League of Legends Grand Final in front of a home crowd, while 15-year-old Chilean Jaime âCraimeâ Bustos defeated two EVO champions to become the youngest EWC champion in history.
AG.ALâs Khawaja âM. Zubairâ secured the TEKKEN 8 EWC championship trophy while claiming the Jafonso Award for emerging from the LCQ to win the title.
In the closing weeks, Samy âdraliiâ Hajji became the first-ever three-time Esports World Cup champion after his third victory in Rocket League, and grandmaster Magnus Carlsen repeated as Chess champion without losing a single game.
Records created at EWC 2026 Paris
EWC Paris 2026 also established new records across the board. Distributed globally by more than 100 broadcast and OTT partners in 47 languages and supported by 5,000 participating creators and co-streamers, the EWC reached 850 million viewers and generated 440 million hours watched, up 13% and 26%, respectively, with peak viewership of 4.3 million registered during the League of Legends tournament.
The event generated 175,000 tickets sold to esports competitions, up 94% compared to 2025. Including venues, Fan Fest and city activations, 2 million total visits were recorded over the seven-week period.
The EWC 2026 was the culmination of a year-round competitive journey. More than 1.5 million players competed through 330 Road to EWC events, connecting publisher competitions, qualification pathways and the Club Championship into a global season that Clubs, players and fans could follow from the first qualifier to todayâs final trophy lift.
Conclusion
As the first Esports World Cup hosted outside Riyadh, Paris marked a significant step in the eventâs global evolution. French Clubs competed in front of sold-out home audiences, more than 22,600 campaign placements carried EWC across the capital to reach 94% of Parisians, and tournament symbols appeared at the cityâs most popular landmarks, including on the Champs-ĂlysĂ©es and beside the Eiffel Tower. Record ticket sales culminated with the final weekendâs Counter-Strike tournament moving to the 20,000-seat Accor Arena.
The EWCâs impact will continue beyond the competition weeks. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Esports Foundation and the French Ministry of Sports, Youth and Community Life established a framework for long-term cooperation around youth development, digital skills, esports participation and French talent, building on the connection created between EWC and France this summer.
Paris now sends the Esports World Cup into its next era with new champions, new records and a global foundation for hosting in the worldâs leading cities. As the first international host city of the Esports World Cup, Paris will hold a permanent place in EWC history.
The Esports World Cup will return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027.
Who won the Esports World Cup 2026 Club Championship?
AG.AL won the EWC 2026 Club Championship with 5,300 points, defeating Team Falcons, Team Vitality, Natus Vincere, and Team Liquid.
How much prize money did AG.AL receive for winning the Club Championship?
They earned the $7 million (approximately INR 66.9 crore) Club Championship prize after finishing at the top of the overall standings.
What were the major records set during Esports World Cup 2026?
The event featured a record $75 million prize pool, attracted over 850 million viewers, generated 440 million hours watched, sold 175,000 competition tickets, and recorded more than 2 million total visits across venues, Fan Fest, and city activations.
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Mahaksh Chauhan is a gaming journalist with a soft spot for old-school RPGs and turn-based games. With a keen eye for storytelling and a strong understanding of game mechanics, he enjoys exploring what makes games special beyond just the gameplay. Inspired by titles like Persona, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Skyrim, Mahaksh brings his own perspective to gaming stories. When heâs not writing or playing, he can usually be found watching anime or cheering for WWE superstars.