The Esports World Cup (EWC) has announced that Fortnite and Rocket League will officially join the competitive lineup of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026, following the signing of a new three-year partnership with Epic Games and a prize pool of 1 million USD. The agreement reinforces EWC’s long-term vision of unifying the world’s most influential games under a single global competitive ecosystem.
As part of the partnership, EWC 2026 will host the Fortnite Reload Elite Series Championship, the official end-of-season event for Fortnite Reload, a fast-paced 40-player battle royale mode centered on squad-based survival and high-tempo gameplay. The championship will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, further cementing the Kingdom’s growing role as a global hub for esports.
Rocket League will also return to the Esports World Cup stage after delivering one of the tournament’s most memorable storylines in the previous edition. During the last EWC, Karmine Corp secured the title after defeating Geekay Esports in the grand final, while Team Falcons captivated the home crowd with a dramatic seven-game victory over Team Vitality in the third-place match, an outcome that proved decisive in the overall Club Championship standings.
Beyond individual tournaments, the multi-year collaboration aims to establish a more predictable and stable competitive calendar for Fortnite Reload and Rocket League clubs and players. It also seeks to expand opportunities for grassroots and community-level participation, aligning with EWCF’s broader mission to grow esports as both a global sport and a mainstream entertainment platform.
Commenting on the announcement, Fabian Scheuermann, Chief Games Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, highlighted the strategic importance of Fortnite’s inclusion. He noted that Fortnite’s global player base and cultural impact extend far beyond competition, making it a natural fit for EWC’s ambitions. Scheuermann added that hosting the Fortnite Reload Elite Series Championship at EWC introduces a new, multi-year competitive ecosystem at the world’s largest esports event, with particular excitement around engaging the game’s strong fanbase in Saudi Arabia.
The Reload Elite Series will feature a fully structured online competitive pathway, including Open Rounds, Play-Ins, Heats, and Finals. Each Final will be broadcast live on official Fortnite Competitive channels and will determine the top 40 Duos who qualify for the Reload Elite Series Championship at EWC. Qualified teams will travel to Riyadh to compete for a $1 million prize pool and valuable points toward the Esports World Cup Club Championship.
With Fortnite and Rocket League now locked in for the coming years, the Esports World Cup continues to strengthen its position as a central pillar of the global esports calendar, bringing together elite competition, massive communities, and international audiences under one banner in Riyadh.
