Saudia Expands Esports World Cup Partnership With Branded Aircraft

Saudia has expanded its partnership with the Esports World Cup, becoming the official airline of the tournament’s 2026 edition in Paris.

The Saudi national carrier will operate a specially branded Esports World Cup aircraft on daily flights between Riyadh and Paris during the competition. The aircraft is also expected to remain in service across Saudia’s international network for two years, extending the sponsorship’s visibility beyond the seven-week event. The partners described it as the first commercial aircraft dedicated to an esports event.

The agreement also includes travel support for players, fans, creators, clubs and event personnel. Saudia said it has already transported thousands of people connected to the tournament to Paris, including selected fans and content creators.

Additional activations include Esports World Cup programming through Saudia’s BEYOND in-flight entertainment system and selected live broadcasts in the airline’s lounges. Saudia will also run a Fortnite community competition featuring a virtual airport and aircraft based on the branded plane, with winners receiving tickets to attend EWC 2026.

The announcement expands a relationship established during the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh. Saudia joined that edition as its official airline partner, offering travel packages and supporting the tournament’s sports-tourism positioning, as previously reported by The Esports Advocate.

The renewed deal carries greater operational and marketing significance because EWC 2026 is the tournament’s first edition staged outside Saudi Arabia. Connecting Riyadh and Paris allows Saudia to function both as a sponsor and part of the event’s travel infrastructure, while promoting Saudi Arabia through a competition now operating on an international stage.

EWC 2026 runs through Aug. 23 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Organizers say more than 2,000 players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries are competing across 25 tournaments in 24 games for more than $75 million.

Financial terms and the duration of Saudia’s broader official-airline designation were not disclosed.