Jul 14, 2026.
Week 1 of EWC 26 delivered unforgettable moments both on and off the stage. While fans watched history unfold across the tournament arenas, Fan Fest became a destination of its own, bringing the EWC community together through a packed schedule of activities and experiences.
From meeting their favorite players and creators during meet and greets to watching two of France’s biggest influencers battle in a showmatch, fans had no shortage of ways to get involved. Cultural showcases, interactive activations, and EWC PLAY Quests gave attendees even more opportunities to celebrate esports and connect with the global community throughout the week.
One of EWC’s core values is keeping the community at the heart of the experience. Throughout Week 1 of EWC 26, fans had the opportunity to meet their favorite players, creators, and personalities through a series of meet-and-greets across Fan Fest.
No team saw that support more clearly than hometown favorites Gentle Mates, with fans lining up at Mates House to welcome the club home. Content creator Beyazit “beyAz” Körpe and VALORANT player Patryk “starxo” Kopczyński were among those meeting with fans, while also celebrating the launch of Gentle Mates’ trading card game through exclusive pack openings.
The featured showmatch of Week 1 at Fan Fest brought together two of France’s biggest influencers, Inès “Inoxtag” Benazzouz and Lucas “Squeezie” Adrien Hauchard, for a highly anticipated clash. Hosted by French streamer Arif “Doigby” Akin, the event featured some of the country’s biggest creators joining Team Inoxtag and Team Squeezie for a battle in front of a packed crowd.
Fans were especially excited to see the return of Julien “Jbzz” Dupré, who stepped away from the FPS scene in 2023 to focus on his poker career. Despite his time away, Jbzz showed he still had the skills to compete, playing a key role in Team Inoxtag’s victory over Team Squeezie in the best-of-one showdown.
Fans at EWC 26’s Manga House had the chance to step into the world of Attack on Titan through an immersive experience created in partnership with Sony. The activation transformed iconic moments from the series into a large-scale interactive showcase, using projection mapping and digital displays to bring the anime’s atmosphere and storytelling to life.
Fans turned their Fan Fest experience into a game of its own through EWC PLAY Quests, completing challenges across the venue for exclusive rewards and additional XP. The journey began with a wheel spin that unlocked a series of quests across different booths, challenging attendees with activities ranging from reaction tests and photo opportunities at the OBSBOT booth to disarming the Spike at the VALORANT booth.
Beyond earning prizes, every completed quest contributed XP toward EWC PLAY, giving fans another way to engage with the Esports World Cup experience.
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