The Esports Nations Cup will pit elite players against one another as national teams, bringing national identity and patriotism into professional gaming. The tournament will debut in November 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as the first recurring global national team event at this scale. Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft will serve as official development partners, shaping game-specific national ranking systems, qualification pathways, and tournament formats. Partnerships aim to ensure authenticity, fairness, and high-quality standards across titles. National teams from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania will compete in both team-based and solo formats. A qualification system is included to determine entrants.
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced the creation of the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), an unprecedented competition that will see elite players represent their countries on a global stage. Unlike traditional esports leagues centered around clubs, the ENC introduces national identity and patriotism into professional gaming, offering fans a new reason to rally behind their favorite athletes.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, described the move as a defining moment: "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 ENC is being co-developed with some of the most influential publishers in the industry. Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft will directly contribute to shaping game-specific national ranking systems, qualification pathways, and tournament formats. This ensures that each title maintains integrity while engaging the broadest possible audience.
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