Saudia Becomes Official Airline of Esports World Cup 2026

Saudia Partnership Supports Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris

Saudia has expanded its partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWC), becoming the Official Airline of the Esports World Cup 2026, which will be held in Paris, France.

Under the agreement, the airline introduced a specially branded aircraft for the tournament. The plane was unveiled at Saudia Technic in Jeddah and will operate daily flights between Riyadh and Paris during the tournament. Furthermore, it will serve its international routes for the next two years, emphasizing the partnership.

The airline will facilitate travel for players, fans, content creators, clubs, and event staff moving between Saudi Arabia and France. Passengers can enjoy Esports World Cup content via Saudia’s BEYOND inflight entertainment system, and some tournament broadcasts will be accessible in Saudia lounges.

To date, the airline has already transported thousands of tournament participants and visitors to Paris, with additional travellers expected during the event. It also supports the EWC Superfan Programme, giving select fans the chance to attend the tournament and allowing content creators from the Middle East and North Africa to provide coverage on-site.

Beyond travel, the partnership includes a new edition of Saudia’s Fortnite community tournament, featuring a custom map inspired by the airline’s Esports World Cup aircraft. Winners will receive tickets to attend the tournament in Paris.

Francois Desir, Director of Sponsorship and Advertising at the Esports World Cup Foundation, said the partnership extends the esports experience beyond the competition by connecting communities through travel and fan engagement.

Ibrahim Binaquil, Marketing Head at Saudia Group, said the partnership reflects the airline’s role in connecting people through travel while supporting cultural exchange and engaging with new audiences.

The Esports World Cup 2026 will run in Paris until 23 August, bringing together more than 2,000 players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries. Competitors will take part in 25 tournaments across 24 games, competing for a prize pool of more than US$75 million.

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