Real-time strategy (RTS) title StarCraft II will not feature at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in 2026, despite its appearance at the multi-title event in 2024 and 2025.
Following the reveal of Trackmania as the final title on the 2026 line-up, members of the StarCraft II community have shared their frustration over its omission.
As a result of Trackmania’s inclusion, the 2026 edition of the EWC won’t include any RTS title, leaving a significant gap in StarCraft II’s tournament calendar.
“SC2 not on EWC is indeed a huge blow,” said Korean esports commentator Kim ‘Maddox‘ Min-gyu on social media.
StarCraft II’s presence at the EWC over the past two years helped fill a void left by other tournament organisers opting to withdraw from its dedicated circuits and tournaments. In April 2025, ESL shut down its Pro Tour, citing financial reasons and the difficulty of sustaining a large-scale ecosystem for the title.
For some fans, the lack of StarCraft II and of any other RTS title has resulted in them losing interest in the EWC, despite the event featuring 24 games spanning across a vast range of genres.
“No StarCraft 2 or any other RTS, for that matter, means that I will not be watching. Unfollowed,” commented one frustrated fan.
While many are disappointed with StarCraft II’s removal from the EWC, some members of the community believe its absence could ultimately benefit the grassroots scene.
“No StarCraft II at EWC this year is tough, but it’s really not a devastating blow,” said RTS content creator uThermal. “EWC did a lot of damage by pushing other tournaments out and making everything about just one tournament. Hopefully, now we can grow the community and grassroots tournaments more.”
What’s Next for StarCraft II Esports?
StarCraft II’s 2026 season is in full swing, with several tournament organisers set to host events over the next six months. The next high-profile event is Rongyi Cup S3 taking place in Shanghai, China.
The competition will featuring 16 of the best players in the world battling across online and offline matches for a share of a ¥150,000 CNY (~£15,988) prize pool.
While StarCraft II’s omission from the Esports World Cup is frustrating for a scene already short on large-scale international tournaments, there’s an opportunity for community-driven initiatives to continue supporting one of the longest-standing esports titles in history.
