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ESS 2026 has concluded its sixth edition following two days that brought together 11,000 visitors, competitive esports, gaming activities, and interactive brand experiences. Organised by FWZ in partnership with the Egyptian Esports Federation and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, this year’s event expanded beyond traditional esports competitions to offer a broader platform for Egypt’s gaming community.

11,000 Visitors Attend ESS 2026

Over the course of two days, ESS welcomed 11,000 visitors, with several ticket categories reaching full capacity. The audience included competitive esports players, gaming enthusiasts, families, and casual players, reflecting the increasingly diverse demographics of Egypt’s gaming community. The event also featured interactive activations from brands including BYD, Red Bull, Talabat, and ValU, alongside participating companies from more than five sectors.

Gen G Arena Expands the Gaming Experience

The Gen G Arena was a central feature of this year’s edition, offering visitors opportunities to participate across PC, mobile, PlayStation, arcade, and board games. The space was designed to accommodate different levels of gaming experience, allowing visitors to compete and interact beyond the main esports tournaments. Selected participants also had the opportunity to compete on the event stage. In addition, ESS 2026 hosted an exclusive EA Sports FC 27 experience inside Gen G Arena in collaboration with Red Bull.

A New Raffle Experience for Visitors

ESS 2026 introduced a raffle system that allowed tournament spectators to participate in prize draws. Visitors could scan QR codes displayed on the event screens to enter, with winners announced during the event. The initiative provided another form of participation for attendees who were not directly competing in the gaming activities.

ESS Extends Its Reach Through Digital Platforms

Digital engagement was another significant part of this year’s edition. The FWZ App was used across several stages of the visitor experience, including ticket purchases, activity participation, and prize collection, recording more than 12,000 active users during ESS 2026. Meanwhile, content related to the event generated more than 55 million views across digital platforms, extending its reach beyond the physical venue.

Competitive Esports Remains at the Core

Despite the expanded focus on community activities, competitive esports remained an important component of ESS 2026. The programme included the League of Legends Master Cup Finals, with participating teams qualifying through internet cafés across Egypt before competing at the ESS venue. This format connected local gaming communities with the larger competitive esports ecosystem while giving qualified teams the opportunity to compete before a live audience.

Gaming Retailers Join the Event

ESS 2026 also introduced a dedicated area for gaming community retailers. Participating stores were able to showcase products and connect directly with visitors, adding a commercial dimension to the event alongside its competitions and gaming activities. The addition reflected the wider ecosystem surrounding gaming, bringing together players, brands, retailers, and community members in one venue.

Looking Ahead to Future Editions

According to Ahmed Abdel Latif, CEO and Founder of FWZ, the sixth edition was developed with a focus on expanding ESS beyond the traditional esports event format and creating more opportunities for different types of players to participate. FWZ has organised ESS since 2018, combining professional esports competitions with interactive gaming experiences and brand activations. Following the sixth edition, the organisers have indicated plans to continue expanding the event, accommodate a larger number of players, and create further opportunities for gaming communities and brands to connect. With 11,000 visitors, more than 12,000 active app users, and over 55 million digital views, ESS 2026 demonstrated the continued scale of Egypt’s gaming and esports community while highlighting the growing role of interactive experiences alongside competitive gaming.