The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) — a new biennial global tournament where players will compete representing their countries rather than clubs — with the inaugural event set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2026.
Unlike the annual Esports World Cup, which features club teams, the ENC aims to bring national pride to esports by showcasing nearly 100 national teams across 15 popular game titles. The competition will feature a multi-layered qualification system combining global rankings, regional qualifiers, and wildcard entries to ensure broad participation and inclusivity. All players will receive guaranteed prize money, with equal rewards across all games.
“Nation versus nation competition is the ultimate expression of sport,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “The ENC makes this a reality for esports, giving every fan a flag to rally behind and every player the pride of representing their country. It’s a stage to create heroes, inspire the next generation, and, together with our partners and stakeholders, build the national ecosystems that will accelerate the growth of esports worldwide.”
The ENC builds on Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a global esports hub, aligning with the country’s Vision 2030 to diversify its economy and invest heavily in gaming and digital entertainment. The ENC is expected to complement other major events in the Kingdom, supporting the development of local talent and esports infrastructure.
The tournament will rotate host countries after its debut in Riyadh. More details on the event, including participating countries and formats, will be released in the coming weeks.
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