Paris is waking up to the latest signs that one of this summer’s most exciting sporting events is almost here. The Fourth Electronic Sports World Cup, supported by main sponsor NVIDIA and produced by Games-Services, was officially launched today with a billboard campaign on the Paris Metro. Finalists from all over the world are preparing to compete at the Palais Omnisport Paris-Bercy for a prize fund of $300,000 in what promises to be an unmissable event.

Since its opening in 1984, the Palais Omnisport Paris-Bercy has been the venue for numerous major competitions, from the Paris Master tennis tournament to the Moto Supercross. This year the Electronic Sports World Cup will take its place amongst Paris-Bercy’s prestigious sporting visitors, the clearest signal yet that gaming is defying its stereotypes and stepping into the limelight.

Over the last few months, competitors from fifty three countries have been taking part in a series of qualifying events and each nation will send its best male and female teams to the prestigious finale in Paris-Bercy. When filled to capacity, the stadium will play host to 17,000 people hungry to catch all the action from Gran Turismo 4, Counter Strike, Quake 4, Warcraft 3, Trackmania Nations and Pro Evolution Soccer 5.

For thousands of gaming fans, their World Cup fever starts June 29 in Paris-Bercy. Tickets are on sale at http://www.ticketnet.fr/shop/en/manif.asp?idtier=237143&IdManif=97324 from 10 euros, and passes for the entire competition are also available.