AG.AL have won the Esports World Cup 2026 Club Championship after Gwendal “Gwen” Duparc claimed the inaugural Trackmania title in Paris, denying Team Falcons a third straight championship.
The result was settled on the penultimate day of a seven-week event, in the second-to-last competition on the calendar.
How the Esports Title Was Decided
Two-time defending champions Team Falcons went into the Trackmania playoffs on top of the Club Championship leaderboard with 4,600 points. That lead looked secure until Falcons pro Carl-Antoni “Carl Jr.” Cloutier, a seven-time Trackmania world champion, was knocked out in the quarter-finals.
His exit left the door open. Gwen needed to finish third or better in the grand final to take the Club Championship for AG.AL.
Gwen’s Run in the Grand Final
Racing in front of a home crowd at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, the French driver went further than he needed to. He built a lead over the opening two maps and never gave it up, beating drivers representing fellow Club Championship contenders Team Vitality, Team Liquid and Natus Vincere to win the final outright.
AG.AL finished the Club Championship on 5,300 points, enough to top the table.
“It feels so great,” Duparc said as his AG.AL club-mates joined him on stage. “Anything can happen. I’ve done it, I’ve done the match of my life. Thank you, everyone. This trophy is for you, for everyone.”
What AG.AL and Gwen Won
Gwen takes $130,000 for first place in Trackmania, which carried a $500,000 prize pool in its first year as an EWC title. AG.AL take $7 million, the top share of the $30 million Club Championship pool.
Falcons Miss Out on a Third Title
Falcons had been favourites since the start of the tournament, but results went against them across the seven weeks. AG.AL built their total through a TEKKEN 8 victory and a run of second-place finishes, then took the lead at the last opportunity.
AG.AL chairman Le Kedeng joined Gwen on stage. “This is our third year coming to EWC,” he said. “I remember in 2024 we were just at the gate; last year we came sixth, but this year, please tell me: who is the best team in the world?”
What Is Left at EWC 2026
One competition remains. The Counter-Strike 2 grand final is being played at the Accor Arena, with the EWC 2026 trophy ceremony closing the event at the Grand Palais on Sunday 23 August.
