The FIFAe Finals 2026 will take place in Jeddah from 16 to 25 October at the Abadi Al Johar Arena, marking the first time the coastal city hosts the international tournament. Organized by the Saudi Esports Federation, the competition represents the culmination of an extensive qualification campaign that engaged more than 120 nations across five continents.
FIFAe Finals 2026 Tournament Schedule and Structure
The competition begins with the eFootball tournament on console and mobile devices, running from 16 to 18 October. Following this opening stage, the Rocket League matches will take place from 20 to 21 October, leading directly into the newly introduced Championship Weekend.
A total of 12 national teams will compete in the eFootball console division, with another 12 teams contesting the mobile division. In addition, 16 national teams will compete in the Rocket League tournament for the FIFAe World Cup Trophy, bringing together top virtual football talent from across the globe to determine the year’s champions.
Debut of the Championship Weekend
The concluding phase of the tournament will run from 23 to 25 October under the Championship Weekend format. Specifically, this stage will feature the decisive knockout matches across all categories, culminating in the crowning of three distinct world champions at the Jeddah venue.
“The FIFAe Finals 2026 coming to Jeddah is a proud moment in Saudi Arabia’s esports journey. Our partnership with FIFAe continues to open new doors for the region, and this milestone shows how esports is growing across the Kingdom, alongside the strong foundation we’ve built in Riyadh and the exciting future ahead in Qiddiya, reaching new fans and communities from grassroots to the global stage.”
Rawan Albutairi, CEO, Saudi Esports Federation
Continental Qualifying Route
The path to Jeddah included five in-person continental championships staged in Malaysia, Brazil, Morocco, Mexico, and Portugal. Consequently, regional qualifiers determined the final national rosters participating in the showpiece event as international qualification rounds conclude across participating member associations.
Federation Development and Next Steps
The Saudi Esports Federation, established in late 2017, continues to oversee the local gaming sector through competitive athlete development and industry growth. Hosting the FIFAe Finals 2026 in Jeddah aligns with the federation’s broader mission to expand competitive gaming events across different regions of Saudi Arabia, complementing established gaming centers in Riyadh.
Details regarding ticketing, venue access, and full event programming for the upcoming tournament will appear on official FIFA digital channels ahead of the tournament’s official draw.
