The recent announcement of the full Esports World Cup 2026 lineup has rattled RTS fans worldwide. The team at the Esports World Cup Foundation recently unveiled the last game in the roster, Trackmania, which is set to appear at the event in Riyadh for the first time.
However, this reveal means that StarCraft II, the beloved RTS game, will not surface at this year’s Esports World Cup, despite being present for the first two. It gets worse, as with the full lineup having been published, we know that no other RTS game will be there to replace it.
RTS Community Has No Reason to Watch EWC 2026
For the first time since the inaugural Esports World Cup in 2023, no RTS title will take to any stage at the event this year. The EWCF uncovered Trackmania as an unexpected final addition to the star-studded spread of titles gracing the Esports World Cup, and in that moment, RTS fans worldwide fell to their knees (metaphorically, of course).
Across social media, fans have voiced their displeasure at the snub. Kaelaris, a popular commentator and host with a penchant for StarCraft II, said:
I was already having a rough day but no StarCraft at EWC hurts.
I suspect that also means I won’t be doing any SC2 in 2026 since that was the only place nowadays that fancies taking a desk host for the game.
Despite getting to do it at EWC last year, effectively to me it feels like a part of my life perished and I feel like I’m almost in mourning for that aspect of my world. It’s not been easy for my brain to get over it. That’s as best I can describe it at least.
In another post, creator and commentator Simon ‘Lowko’ Heijnen wrote:
Very sad to not have StarCraft 2 or any other RTS game at the EWC this year. Especially considering views and interest has been up noticeably compared to a few years ago.
Many were quick to point out that the Esports World Cup helped keep the competitive system afloat after waning interest and some tournament shutdowns. This is another major, international stage to be stripped from the RTS audience, and it’s a huge blow.
The Esports World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be the largest esports event ever held. But for many, it might be remembered as the year that the oldest competitive genre in esports was forgotten, pushed aside for an arcade racing game.
Do you think StarCraft II deserves a spot at the Esports World Cup? Let us know your thoughts on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
For more Insider Gaming esports, check out the news that the Esports World Cup will boast a $75 million prize pool
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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