The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) unveiled plans today for the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), a groundbreaking tournament set to debut in November 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The biennial event will see top esports players compete not for their clubs but for their countries, marking the first global, recurring national team competition of its kind in esports.
Announced at the New Global Sport Conference in Riyadh, where 1,500 industry leaders gathered to explore the intersection of gaming, esports, and traditional sports, the ENC aims to infuse national pride into the rapidly growing world of competitive gaming. The tournament will feature national teams from regions including North America, South America, Europe, MENA, Africa, Asia, and SEA & Oceania, competing in both team-based and solo-player formats across titles from major publishers like Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft.
“Nation versus nation competition is the ultimate expression of sport,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “The ENC brings this to esports, giving fans a flag to rally behind and players the pride of representing their country. It’s a platform to create heroes, inspire future generations, and build national ecosystems that will drive the global growth of esports.”
The ENC’s inaugural edition will be co-developed with leading game publishers, who will help design national ranking systems, qualification pathways, and event formats to ensure competitive integrity and fan engagement. The qualification process will combine global rankings, regional qualifiers, and Wildcard entries, including solidarity placements, to create a diverse and inclusive field. All players will receive guaranteed prize money, with equal rewards across all games to promote fairness.
Set to occur every two years, the ENC will provide a stable framework for players, coaches, and esports organizations, encouraging long-term investment in national team programs. Following its debut in Riyadh, the tournament will adopt a rotating host model, bringing national esports competitions to fans worldwide.
The ENC builds on the success of the Esports World Cup, the world’s largest multi-title esports event, and expands its mission by introducing national identity to the global stage. While the Esports World Cup unites top clubs, the ENC creates a new competitive layer focused on regional representation.
Further details about the Esports Nations Cup will be shared in the coming weeks via esportsnationscup.com and the event’s official X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube channels. The Esports World Cup Foundation can also be followed on LinkedIn for updates.
The launch of the ENC signals a new chapter for esports, blending the thrill of national competition with the global appeal of gaming. As the industry continues to evolve, the tournament promises to inspire fans, elevate players, and strengthen the esports ecosystem worldwide.
