Indonesia says it is ready to host 2026 world esports championship
The tournament is scheduled for December 15-22 in Tangerang, with about 700 participants from 101 countries expected to take part.
Indonesia is prepared to stage the International Esports Federation World Esports Championship (IESF WEC) 2026 at ICE BSD in Tangerang, Banten, according to Indonesia Esports Central Board (PB ESI) General Chairman Muhammad Herindra. The competition is scheduled for December 15-22.
Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir said participation was scheduled from 101 countries, involving about 700 people. He said the tournament could draw around 2,000 spectators to each match and was expected to bring in thousands of visitors over its duration.
Speaking at a Jakarta press conference, Herindra said PB ESI's priorities were to build Indonesia's ability to stage international tournaments, improve national team results and involve participants across the esports ecosystem. He said the country's large youth population and gaming community offered potential, but further development was needed to produce internationally competitive athletes.
Herindra cited world titles won by Indonesia's women's Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) team in 2022 and 2024. He also noted that IESF had recognised PB ESI as the world's best esports federation in 2024, and urged administrators to sustain those achievements.
Thohir said hosting could benefit Indonesia's international image and economy alongside esports development. He put the country's gaming population at about 154 million and the gaming industry's economic potential at Rp36 trillion.
