Los Angeles to host 2026 Global Esports World Finals
The Global Esports Federation (GEF) has confirmed the programme for the 2026 Global Esports Games in Los Angeles. At the 16th meeting of the GEF Board of Directors, the framework for development in the USA, the roadmap for global strategy, and the new leadership team were announced.
The Los Angeles 2026 Global Esports World Finals will be held in the United States for the first time. This relatively new global competition has previously been held in Singapore, Istanbul, Riyadh, and Lima. The tournament will feature approximately 1,000 athletes representing more than 100 countries competing in team and individual games.
GEG’s first flagship event in the United States
The approval of the draft programme for the Global Esports Games (GEG), to be held in December 2026, followed the announcement of Los Angeles as the host city. A ceremony was held to mark the occasion, hosted by Dr Patrick Sun-Shong, Executive Chairman and CEO of Los Angeles Times Media Group, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel. This ceremony marked an important milestone in the development of esports in the United States.
The GEF Board of Directors also unanimously elected Paul J. Foster as its president. Foster, who is now CEO of GEF, was appointed interim president following the resignation of founding president Chris Chan in July. He will serve as president and CEO until December 2027.
Speaking at the opening ceremony at The Times building in El Segundo, Foster emphasised, “Together with our member federations and partners, we will champion the inclusivity, innovation and sustainability of the sector. The 2026 Games in Los Angeles will be a symbol of how esports is shaping the next generation, creating opportunities for digital skills development and inspiring cultural change.”
Los Angeles Times Media Group as organising partner
The launch of an esports ecosystem in the United States, centred in Los Angeles, strengthens global connections and advances GEF’s mission of ‘esports for all.’ GEG’s organising partner is the Los Angeles Times Media Group, which plans to build the first and largest esports stadium in Los Angeles. This project opens up new opportunities for players, spectators, and the industry as a whole.
Dr Patrick Sun-Shong noted the significance of this event for the city: ‘With less than three years to go before the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Los Angeles is buzzing with anticipation. Esports adds to that momentum, bringing its global energy and uniting gaming, sports, and a new wave of entertainment. The Los Angeles Times Media Group is proud to help showcase this landmark event for our city and the world.’
According to Sun-Shong, by July 2026, the company plans to complete the conversion of a warehouse near The Times’ office on Imperial Highway into a virtual arena for players and spectators. El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel has endorsed the project, emphasising its importance to the region.
The arena’s opening, accompanied by a week-long international competition, is scheduled for 4 December 2026. Los Angeles and El Segundo beat out eight other cities, confirming their unique infrastructure and potential for hosting large-scale esports events. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass noted that both cities have exceptional capabilities for hosting a global event.
From South America to North America
This year, Lima, the capital of Peru, hosted the flagship GEF competition from 1 to 7 June. The tournament brought together leading esports athletes from participating countries, continuing a successful series of events in Singapore (2021), Istanbul (2022), and Riyadh (2023).
Lima has become a key venue for the development of esports in Latin America, against the backdrop of GEG’s expansion with planned tournaments in Los Angeles (2026), Qatar (2027), and Azerbaijan (2028). This year’s competitions highlighted GEF’s global reach, ensuring high levels of organic reach among a diverse international audience.
This article was first published in Russian on 12 September 2025.
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