Epic Inks Deal for Rocket League, Fortnite Competitions EWC 2026

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has entered into a formal partnership with Epic Games to officially sanction and operate Fortnite and Rocket League tournaments for the 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC 2026). While the EWCF hosted competitions for these titles during the 2025 event, those tournaments lacked official endorsement from the developer. This new agreement marks a shift toward a structured, developer-sanctioned competitive ecosystem for these games within the Riyadh-based tournament series.

A primary component of the deal is the inclusion of the Fortnite Reload Elite Series. This competition will feature a multi-stage format—comprising open rounds, play-ins, heats, and finals—culminating in a championship event in Riyadh. The tournament offers a $1 million USD prize pool and contributes to the EWC Club Championship points system. While specific details regarding the Rocket League competition remain forthcoming, the partnership confirms its inclusion in the 2026 summer schedule.

The EWC 2026 is funded by the Saudi Arabian government’s Public Investment Fund and operated by the ESL FACEIT Group, a subsidiary of the state-owned Savvy Games Group. The event has historically faced scrutiny from international human rights organizations regarding the potential for sports washing. Despite these criticisms, the collaboration with major publishers like Epic Games continues to expand the global footprint of the tournament, which is scheduled to take place in Riyadh between late July and August 2026. Financial terms of the agreement between Epic Games and the EWCF were not disclosed.