Saudia named official airline for 2026 Esports World Cup in Paris

Saudia has announced the expansion of its partnership with the Esports Federation, becoming the official airline for the 2026 Esports World Cup, which will take place at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in the French capital for its first international edition.

The airline unveiled the first commercial aircraft fully branded with the Esports World Cup livery, which will operate between Riyadh and Paris throughout the tournament. Afterward, the aircraft will continue flying on Saudia’s international network for two years, reflecting the strategic partnership and highlighting the tournament’s global presence. The unveiling took place at a ceremony at Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries in Jeddah, attended by government officials, partners, media, and content creators.

This move builds on ongoing collaboration between the two parties. Saudia will offer a range of initiatives and dedicated services for tournament participants, including transportation for players, clubs, fans, content creators, and staff. Special tournament content will be available through the airline’s inflight entertainment system, featuring the documentary "Esports World Cup: Level Up," as well as live broadcasts of selected events in Saudia lounges during the tournament.

Saudia will also continue to support the esports community by hosting participants in the tournament’s "Elite Fans" program, allowing them to experience the event firsthand. In addition, several content creators from the Middle East and North Africa will be flown to Paris to cover and showcase the tournament’s activities to audiences.

As part of its initiatives, Saudia will launch a community Fortnite tournament on a new virtual map featuring an airport and aircraft inspired by the branded plane. Winners will receive tickets to attend the 2026 Esports World Cup in Paris.

François Désiré, Head of Sponsorships and Advertising at the Esports Federation, commented:

"The Esports World Cup has always aimed to unite gaming enthusiasts from around the globe under one roof. With the tournament now in Paris, Saudia plays a pivotal role in realizing this vision through our expanded partnership, connecting passionate esports communities from Saudi Arabia to the French capital and offering immersive tournament experiences onboard. Esports now enjoys a global presence and growing cultural impact, and our partnership with Saudia—featuring fan events, inflight entertainment, a major competitive event, and the world’s first commercial aircraft branded for an esports event—demonstrates this reach."

Ibrahim bin Aqeel, Marketing Director at Saudia Group, added: "This partnership reflects Saudia’s role as the national carrier in supporting global events that enhance the Kingdom’s standing. It enables us to deliver a comprehensive travel experience connecting guests to one of the world’s largest esports tournaments, and provides an opportunity to engage with new generations worldwide while showcasing Saudi Arabia’s development across sectors."

The partnership follows the success of the 2025 edition, which welcomed over 3 million visitors in Riyadh and saw the first virtual signing of a partnership agreement via an interactive digital platform, highlighting both parties’ commitment to innovative technological solutions.

The 2026 Esports World Cup will be held in Paris from July 6 to August 23, featuring more than 2,000 players representing 200 clubs from over 100 countries. Competitors will vie in 25 tournaments across 24 of the world’s most popular games, with record prize money exceeding $75 million.