The Esports Foundation will host the Esports Festival on August 2, turning the iconic Champs-Élysées in Paris into France’s largest public celebration of gaming and esports. The free, open-air event is part of the ongoing Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026, which is being held at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
Organised in collaboration with the Comité Champs-Élysées, the festival aims to bring esports to a wider audience by combining competitive gaming with entertainment, creators and community experiences. France is home to over 11.8 million esports participants and more than 2 million regular viewers, making it one of Europe’s leading esports markets.
The festival will feature a special showdown between three pioneers of French esports and founders of the country’s leading esports clubs. They will be joined by personalities from music, entertainment and content creation to compete in exhibition matches across titles including Rocket League, Trackmania and EA SPORTS FC 26.
Visitors will also have access to an interactive fan zone featuring gaming experiences, educational sessions, and panel discussions with professional players and teams, offering insights into the world of competitive esports.
The Esports Festival comes alongside the Esports World Cup 2026, which is witnessing the largest-ever Indian representation at the global tournament. Indian esports organisations S8UL and GodLike Esports are participating as members of the Esports Foundation’s 2026 Club Partner Program, competing across multiple mobile, PC and console titles, including Chess. Both organisations are also engaging fans through creator-led content and watch parties across India.
Other Indian organisations participating in the tournament include Revenant Xspark, Global Esports, Orangutan, Apex Gaming, Total Gaming and True Rippers, with players qualifying through official pathways. Chess also featured a dedicated India Rising qualifier held in Mumbai, highlighting India’s growing presence in the international esports ecosystem.
The Esports Festival is expected to bring together esports fans, families and visitors from around the world, extending the excitement of the Esports World Cup beyond the competition arena and into the heart of Paris.
