The Esports Awards and the Esports Foundation today announced a three-year extension of their partnership. alongside the launch of the new EWC Players’ Choice Award, voted on exclusively by professional esports players across the international community. Determined exclusively through peer voting, the EWC Players’ Choice Award recognizes the industry’s most outstanding competitor across all titles and regions.
Competitors attending the EWC 2026 will vote in person, while a secure digital voting platform hosted by the Esports Awards will enable participation from additional eligible players and clubs. In order to be eligible, players must have competed in at least one qualifying S, A or B-Tier tournament during the official competitive season. Players will not be permitted to vote for themselves or teammates, with the Esports Awards overseeing the process to ensure fairness and competitive integrity.
A global marketing campaign will coincide with voting for the award and will include player interviews, nominee reveals and content throughout the EWC 2026 season, culminating in the winner reveal during the Esports Awards ceremony later this year. The 2026 ceremony will take place in the United States, marking the beginning of a new rotating host city model under which the event will be staged in different, previously unvisited destinations.
“The talent and innovation of our sector should be getting the exposure it deserves.,” said Michael Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards. “The Esports Foundation has done an incredible job in generating mainstream attention, and industry exposure outside of the standard circuit. Our partnership has enabled us to expand our operations and footprint and it’s through our continued collaboration that I hope we can bring the Esports Awards to the global community, and provide the industry with better visibility all year round.”
EWC 2026 will be hosted in Paris, France, from July 06 through to August 23, 2026. Voting for the EWC Players’ Choice Award will run from July 1 through to August 18, 2026, coinciding with EWC Media Days ahead of the final week of the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris, France.
