Free Fire at EWC 26 Champions: LYON’s record-breaking performance wins the day

On the way to the title, LYON proved they were the tournament's dominant team with a record-breaking performance in Game 5, securing 33 eliminations and a Booyah. The feat shattered the previous EWC record of 28 eliminations and a Booyah, set by Team Falcons during their championship run at EWC 24.

Perhaps most impressive was how evenly LYON's eliminations were distributed across the roster. Top fragger Javier "Joker" Morales finished with 11, while his three squadmates contributed eight, nine, and five eliminations, respectively.

Not content with breaking Team Falcons' record, LYON also wanted to claim the same title the Saudi Arabian club lifted at EWC 24. After reaching Champion Rush Point following Game 6, LYON left nothing to chance in the deciding match. The South American squad capitalized on an undermanned AG.AL roster and a mistimed push from LOUD in the final circle, securing the Game 7 Booyah and the Free Fire championship

LYON's rocky road to the finals

It was a remarkable turnaround for a club that had been on the brink of elimination just a day earlier. A disappointing Group Stage sent LYON to the Survival Stage, where expectations were modest. Many predicted the squad would be eliminated or, at best, scrape into the Grand Final.

Instead, LYON dominated the Survival Stage, finishing first with multiple final-circle appearances and a Booyah. More importantly, the club had already begun to show the firepower that would define its championship run, recording 25 and 20 eliminations in Games 9 and 10.

Even after topping the Survival Stage, LYON entered the Finals as an outside contender rather than a favorite. Few expected the mixed South American roster to leave with the trophy, particularly with the Paris crowd rallying behind fellow Brazilian representatives LOUD and Fluxo W7M. By the end of the day, however, it was LYON that stood alone as Free Fire champions.

An emotional finish

Fighting back tears, LYON's Benjamín "Gamezking" Pérez was almost speechless during his post-match interview. Speaking moments before the championship key-crushing ceremony, he celebrated the victory while paying tribute to the competition.

"Today was our day," he said. "Every single competitor here deserved to be here, but today was ours."

LYON then crushed the remaining 11 teams' keys, symbolically cementing its place as Free Fire at the Esports World Cup 2026 champion. With the victory, LYON takes home $300,000 and secures direct qualification for the Free Fire Global Finals 2026.

Championship points secured

LYON earned 1,000 Club Championship points with its Free Fire victory at EWC 26, but this is the end of the road for the Mexican club’s title hopes. LYON is only competing in two tournaments, including a near-last-place finish in LoL at EWC 26, leaving the club with no path to challenge the overall standings.

AG.AL, Twisted Minds, Team Falcons, and other clubs also added valuable points through their Free Fire results, though none have secured a first-place finish in any competition so far.

Free Fire at EWC 26 is just the beginning of this year's battle royale action. Tune in July 21-26 as PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS at EWC 26 takes center stage.