EWC Week 1 Recap: 100 Thieves Defeat Valorant World Champs
The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 kicked off with a bang during Week 1, already crowning champions across multiple titles. The opening ceremony set the stage for what promises to be a major esports event, with competition underway in games including Valorant, Apex Legends, Dota 2, and Fatal Fury.
In Valorant, 100 Thieves made history by capturing their first-ever international trophy at the prestigious tournament. Competing in an all-Americas grand final, 100 Thieves defeated NRG—the reigning Valorant World Champions—to claim the title and the $600,000 grand prize from the tournament’s $2 million prize pool.
The Dota 2 competition has also been progressing impressively during the opening week, with several teams establishing themselves as early contenders. Team Falcons, Nigma Galaxy, PVISION, and Team Yandex have all turned in strong performances so far, setting up what could be compelling matchups as the tournament advances.
Additionally, new champions were crowned in both Apex Legends and Fatal Fury during Week 1, further cementing the diversity of esports competition at the EWC.