Banten Welcomes 160 National Teams as Indonesia Hosts the World Esports Championship for Third Time
By Ana Karakolevska
The International Esports Federation (IESF) is proud to announce Banten, Indonesia, as host of the 18th edition of the World Esports Championship (WEC26), taking place from 15 to 20 December, 2026. For six intense days of competition, Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE), BSD City, will assemble the world esports community for one of the most anticipated events on the international esports calendar.
With preparations well underway, WEC26 is expected to welcome representatives from 101 nations, more than 160 national teams, and over 400 athletes to battle it out under one roof, uniting competitors from across the world in a celebration of sporting excellence and demonstrating the power of esports to connect people beyond borders.
Indonesia’s Biggest Stage
ICE BSD City is Indonesia’s largest convention and exhibition centre: 220,000 square metres on a 22-hectare site, with ten exhibition halls. For six days, it becomes the home of world esports - seven competitions will be played across Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBG Mobile and eFootball™, including dedicated women’s competitions in CS2 and MLBB.
Indonesia’s commitment to esports took a formal step forward in October 2026, when the government inaugurated the new 2026–2030 leadership of the Indonesian Esports Central Board (PB ESI), embedding esports further into the country’s national sporting structure. The move strengthens IESF’s long relationship with Indonesia, which hosted the World Esports Championship in Jakarta in 2016 and in Bali in 2022. For its third visit, the Championship heads to Banten province, known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes and lively local communities.
Vlad Marinescu, President of the International Esports Federation, said: “We are thrilled to bring the World Esports Championship back to Indonesia. This is a nation dedicated to the development of esports in every sense, and you feel that energy everywhere from the people to the policies. Three World Championships in ten years tells you everything about that commitment and PBESI power, and now we bring the world to Banten, with its state-of-the-art facilities and incredible hospitality - WEC26 will undoubtedly give these national teams a stage worthy of their talent.”
The World Esports Championship stands at the heart of IESF’s mission to develop esports globally through international cooperation, competitive opportunities and the engagement of national member federations.
For more information about WEC26, visit the official event page: https://iesf.org/events/wec-2026.