The real-time strategy (RTS) game StarCraft II will not be featured at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in 2026, despite its participation in the multi-game event during both 2024 and 2025.
Subsequent to the announcement of Trackmania as the final title for the 2026 schedule, individuals within the StarCraft II community have expressed their dissatisfaction concerning its exclusion.
Consequentially, with Trackmania’s inclusion, the 2026 iteration of the EWC will not feature any RTS game, thereby creating a substantial void in StarCraft II’s competitive agenda.
“The absence of SC2 from EWC is indeed a significant blow,” commented Korean esports analyst Kim ‘Maddox‘ Min-gyu via social media.
StarCraft II’s involvement in the EWC over the last two years served to mitigate a vacuum created by other tournament organizers who chose to withdraw from its dedicated circuits and events. In April 2025, ESL discontinued its Pro Tour, citing financial constraints and the difficulty of maintaining a comprehensive ecosystem for the game.
For some enthusiasts, the absence of StarCraft II and, in fact, any other RTS title, has led to a decline in their interest in the EWC, even though the competition presents 24 games spanning a broad spectrum of genres.
“No StarCraft 2 or any other RTS, for that matter, means I will not be watching. Unfollowed,” shared one disgruntled supporter.
While many are disheartened by StarCraft II’s removal from the EWC, some community members believe its omission could ultimately foster growth in the grassroots scene.
“The absence of StarCraft II at EWC this year is tough, but it’s not truly a devastating impact,” stated RTS content creator uThermal. “EWC inflicted considerable harm by marginalizing other tournaments and making the focus solely on one event. Hopefully, now we can expand the community and bolster grassroots tournaments more.”
The Future of StarCraft II Esports
The 2026 season for StarCraft II is in full swing, with numerous tournament organizers planning to host events over the forthcoming six months. The next prominent event is the Rongyi Cup S3, scheduled to take place in Shanghai, China.
This competition will feature 16 of the world’s top players competing across online and in-person matches for a share of a ¥150,000 CNY (approximately £15,988) prize fund.
While StarCraft II’s exclusion from the Esports World Cup is disappointing for a scene already experiencing a shortage of major international competitions, it presents an opportunity for community-led initiatives to continue supporting one of esports’ most enduring titles.
This article, titled ““A significant blow”: The StarCraft II community responds to its Esports World Cup exclusion,” was originally published on Esports Insider.
