Star-Studded Esports World Cup Concludes in Paris with Global Leaders and Historic Victory for AG.AL

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman joined French President Emmanuel Macron, football star Cristiano Ronaldo and Fifa president Gianni Infantino as the Esports World Cup drew to a star-studded close in Paris on Sunday.

The high-profile guests attended the closing ceremony of the Riyadh-founded tournament, which concluded after seven weeks of competition in the French capital. Ronaldo, captain of Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, is also the global ambassador for the Esports World Cup.

Prince Mohammed, who has been a driving force behind Saudi Arabia's ambitions to become a global gaming and esports hub, was also due to hold talks with Macron. The leaders were expected to sign deals and discuss alternative routes to the Strait of Hormuz and also oversee the signing of agreements in technology, transport, energy and health, alongside convening the first meeting of the Franco-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council.

Launched in Riyadh in 2024, the annual Esports World Cup is widely regarded as the largest esports event in the world by prize money and number of titles represented. The 2026 edition was moved to Paris amid regional instability. More than 2,000 players from 200 clubs and more than 100 countries competed across 24 games and 25 tournaments, with an overall prize pool exceeding $75 million.

AG.AL claimed the 2026 Club Championship after French player Gwendal “Gwen” Duparc won the final Trackmania competition on Sunday, taking AG.AL to 5,300 points and ending Saudi Arabia's Team Falcons' hopes of winning the overall title for a third consecutive year. AG.AL received $7 million for winning the Club Championship, while Team Falcons finished second and collected $5 million.