Esports Nations Cup Announced: Global National Teams to Compete in 2026

Here’s the bottom line: the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is the world’s first real, recurring, high-stakes battle between countries in competitive gaming. Announced by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), it’s a landmark moment—esports is finally getting its own Olympics, but for national teams.

The Big Idea

For years, esports has been dominated by clubs, brands, and individual stars. The Esports World Cup brought the world’s best clubs together. Now, the ENC is something else entirely: players will compete for their countries, not just their teams. It’s a format every sports fan knows—nation versus nation, flag flying, national anthem, all that. For esports, it’s new. And it’s happening every two years, starting November 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with future events rotating around the globe.

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the EWCF, put it simply: “Nation versus nation competition is the ultimate expression of sport. 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.” The ambition? Build heroes, inspire new generations, and give every country a real shot at esports greatness.

Who’s Behind It

The ENC is a collaboration with global gaming giants: Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft. These partners aren’t just sponsors—they’re co-developers, shaping qualification, rankings, and formats for each game. The goal is to make sure the ENC feels authentic, competitive, and fair, whether you’re in Seoul, São Paulo, or New York.

How It Works

• All major regions: North America, South America, Europe, MENA, Africa, Asia, and SEA & Oceania will field national squads.
• Both team and solo formats: It’s not just team-based—individual players can also represent their countries.
• Inclusive qualification: The system combines global rankings, regional qualifiers, and wildcard spots, including solidarity placements for emerging nations. This isn’t just about big markets—every region gets a path to compete.
• Guaranteed prize money: Every player gets paid, with equal rewards across all games—no favorite titles, no bias.
• Every two years: The steady schedule lets federations, governments, and brands invest in long-term national programs.

The Money and the Mission

While official prize details haven’t been disclosed, reports suggest the inaugural ENC’s pot will be comparable to the massive purses seen at the Esports World Cup—an eye-popping figure. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a plan to diversify the kingdom’s economy, is behind this, with significant investment flowing into the future of esports.

But this isn’t just about the Middle East. The ENC is designed for global reach—both as a spectacle and as a platform for growth. For countries with fledgling esports scenes, the ENC offers structured national team pathways, broadcast deals, and grassroots opportunities. For fans, it’s a chance to root for your country in the biggest esports tournaments ever conceived.

The Bigger Picture

The ENC isn’t just an event. It’s a blueprint—for how esports can mature, institutionalize, and rival traditional sports in national consciousness. It’s also a bet on something even bigger: the power of national identity to drive engagement, investment, and passion in a still-young industry.

In November 2026, Riyadh will host the world’s first true esports “World Cup” for national teams—the closest thing gaming has ever seen to a digital Olympics. And for the first time, fans everywhere will have a country to cheer for, not just a club.

This isn’t just a tournament. It’s a threshold moment for global esports—the kind of thing you’ll remember where you were when you first heard about it.

For the full scoop and ongoing updates, visit esportsnationscup.com or follow ENC on social media channels.