AG.AL triumphed at this year's Esports World Cup Club Championship on Sunday, securing the top prize of $7 million after a seven-week-long tournament concluded in Paris.
This achievement represents a significant ascent for AG.AL, which had previously ranked 38th in the 2024 Esports World Cup team standings and 6th in the preceding season. Their victory in the third EWC, with a total of 5,300 points, prevented Team Falcons from achieving their third consecutive club championship. Team Falcons finished in second place with 4,600 points, earning $5 million. Following them, Team Vitality took third with 3,300 points and $4 million, while Natus Vincere ($3 million) and Team Liquid ($2 million) completed the top five with 2,950 and 2,700 points, respectively. Team Falcons had entered the final weekend poised for a hat-trick, but AG.AL's performance, particularly clinching the club championship in the Trackmania event, turned the tide. Gwendal "Gwen" Duparc's win in Trackmania after Team Falcons' quarterfinal exit was pivotal, requiring AG.AL to finish third or better to secure the title. Beyond Trackmania, AG.AL also excelled by winning the Tekken 8 tournament, achieving second place in Chess, Free Fire, and Honor of Kings: World, and a third-place finish in Teamfight Tactics.
Eddy Chen, COO of AG.AL, highlighted the team's global vision and success, stating, "When we began expanding AG.AL globally in 2024, the same year the Esports World Cup launched, we set out to build a Club capable of succeeding across games, regions and cultures. This title shows how far that vision has come." He further emphasized that the victory reflects the entire organization's strength, from individual player breakthroughs to the collective effort of every player, coach, and staff member. Eddy Chen also extended gratitude to Chairman Mr. Layne Le for his leadership and the Esports Foundation for establishing a platform that rewards dedication and ambition in esports. The 2026 Esports World Cup was a massive international spectacle, featuring over 2,000 players from 200 clubs across more than 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments spanning 24 games. The event boasted a record-setting total prize pool of $75 million. This year marked a significant change as the tournament was held outside Saudi Arabia for the first time, relocating from Riyadh to Paris. The event garnered immense attention, with an announced 850 million viewers watching 440 million hours of online broadcasts, representing increases of 13% and 26% respectively from the previous year. Additionally, 175,000 tickets were sold for in-person attendance, a 94% rise from 2025. Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Esports Foundation, expressed pride in the EWC's international expansion and its growing recognition as a global industry. He noted the attendance of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and President Emmanuel Macron as a testament to esports' increasing importance. The Esports World Cup is slated to return to Riyadh next summer for its fourth annual edition.
The triumph of AG.AL at the Esports World Cup exemplifies the spirit of perseverance, strategic growth, and global collaboration within the rapidly expanding world of competitive gaming. This victory not only crowns a new champion but also showcases the immense potential of esports to unite diverse communities and cultures through shared passion and competitive excellence, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in digital sports.
