Paper Rex leads Esports World Cup favorites, with G2 Esports close behind

Paper Rex enters the 2026 Esports World Cup as the outright favorite to win the Valorant title. G2 Esports sits in second place, priced at +500 odds, which translates to a 17% implied probability of taking the trophy.

The Esports World Cup runs from July 6 to August 23 in Paris, spanning 25 events across 24 different titles. The total prize pool sits at $75 million, the largest in esports history.

Valorant is one of the headline titles. Paper Rex, the Singapore-based organization, has built its reputation on an aggressive, high-variance playstyle. G2 Esports has a history of deep runs in major tournaments across multiple titles, and their Valorant roster has shown consistent performance. A 17% chance of winning is not a long shot.

The EWC’s new three-year partnership with Riot Games, which publishes Valorant, adds another layer of legitimacy to the event.

Crypto gets a seat at the table, with conditions

Licensed blockchain and crypto companies are permitted to sponsor the event, operating under French regulatory guidelines. No on-site activations and no direct token integrations are permitted. Crypto brands can put their name on the tournament, but they cannot set up booths on the floor or weave their tokens directly into the event experience.

Chiliz, the blockchain platform built specifically around sports and esports fan engagement, is one name expanding its footprint in this space through ongoing partnerships with various esports entities.

G2 Esports has issued Solana-based digital collectibles called the Samurai Army, tying fan engagement to blockchain infrastructure.

There is also a Solana meme token with the ticker PRX floating around in the market. It has no verified connection to Paper Rex the esports organization. The team itself has no official involvement.

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