EWC announced that in 2026, the CS2 tournament prize pool will increase by $750,000 compared to 2025, reaching a total of $2,000,000. The format will also undergo significant changes — instead of featuring 16 teams, the event will now include 32 participants, and rather than starting directly with a single-elimination playoff, it will introduce a group stage with four double-elimination groups, followed by playoffs. 

An additional offline BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) qualifier will be introduced, allowing up to 128 teams to compete for a spot at the main event. Due to these significant changes, the tournament will run longer — extending from four days to two weeks.

Esports World Cup 2026 will take place in Riyadh from August 10 to 23, 2026, featuring sixteen teams battling for a $2,000,000 prize pool. In 2025,  The MongolZ  claimed the championship title, but who will lift the trophy in 2026 remains to be seen.