Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) officially announced the national team representation model for the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), a global esports tournament based on the national team model, scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in November 2026, by opening the registration portal for official National Partners.
The Esports Nations Cup introduces the national team model into the global esports calendar in a structured and periodic manner. This tournament complements the Esports World Cup based on the club model, allowing players to compete under their national flags and providing fans the opportunity to connect with top-tier esports through national identity.
National Partners will serve as the official representatives of ENC 2026 in each country, responsible for building and representing national esports teams on the global stage. In collaboration with EWCF, these partners will coordinate national representation at ENC, support coaching staff for each discipline, and work with game publishers and clubs within the ENC framework.
In addition to the competitive aspect, National Partners will also play a role in shaping the national team’s identity through marketing, communication, and community engagement activities, as well as collaborating with content creators, media agencies, and public organizations to mobilize the local community and build fan support for the national team.
While National Partners are responsible for organizing and representing the national team, the integrity of competition and eligibility conditions for players will still be managed according to ENC regulations and processes agreed upon with game publishers.
Each selected National Partner will nominate a National Director, who will serve as the leader and official representative of the national team. The National Director will be the main point of contact between EWCF and the domestic esports ecosystem, assisting in coordination, representation, and implementation of activities at the national level, and will be officially approved by EWCF.
To support the long-term development of esports under the national team model, EWCF will establish the ENC Development Fund, with a commitment of at least 20 million USD each year, starting from ENC 2026. The fund will support national team programs by covering travel and logistics expenses for participation in the Esports Nations Cup, while facilitating communication, promotion, and fan engagement activities to enhance visibility, interest, and connection for national teams beyond the main tournament. These activities will be supported by the necessary commercial, marketing, and operational capabilities to ensure stable and sustainable implementation over time.
The scope of support includes training programs, fan-interactive boot camps, exhibition and friendly matches, official watch parties, national team tours, as well as appearances at major gaming and sports events.
More detailed information about the scope of support, participation conditions, and implementation methods will be shared with selected National Partners during the onboarding process.
“The goal of the Esports World Cup Foundation is to elevate esports and build sustainability for the entire industry,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “The Esports Nations Cup is the next essential step in that journey. Through this registration portal, we invite respected National Partners to help shape the national representation model in esports, with clear roles, unified governance mechanisms, and a system that benefits players, game publishers, and fans.”
Eligible entities for registration include esports organizations, clubs, service companies, non-governmental organizations, esports federations and associations, government agencies, content creators, as well as experienced esports professionals with strong ties to the domestic ecosystem.
The registration portal is now open at esportsnationscup.com and will close on January 31, 2026. Submitted applications will be reviewed through a multi-stage evaluation process based on criteria: governance standards, position in the ecosystem, operational capacity, community engagement ability, and compliance with game publisher requirements.
The first approved group of National Partners will be announced in early 2026.
ENC will be held in Riyadh in November 2026 before transitioning to a rotating model between cities and taking place every two years, aiming to create a stable and reliable structure for players and esports organizations, thereby encouraging long-term investment in national team programs.
Additional information about the Esports Nations Cup will be announced in the coming weeks. For the latest updates, please visit esportsnationscup.com, follow ENC on X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and follow the Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn.
About Esports Nations Cup
The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is a global esports tournament based on the national team model, held every two years and founded by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), aimed at bringing national pride to the global esports stage. First launched in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2026, ENC gathers the best players worldwide, competing not for clubs but representing their countries and territories across top esports disciplines. Built with collaboration from game partners, clubs, and esports organizations, ENC establishes the first large-scale periodic platform dedicated to national teams in esports. Not only focused on competition, ENC aims to promote fan communities, inspire generations of players, and create sustainable development pathways for countries, players, and partners in the global esports ecosystem. esportsnationscup.com
About Esports World Cup Foundation
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) is a non-profit organization based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a mission to promote and professionalize the global esports industry. Through the annual Esports World Cup (EWC) and the biennial Esports Nations Cup (ENC), EWCF brings together top global players, prestigious clubs, and millions of fans on the biggest stages of esports. In addition to hosting tournaments, EWCF operates year-round to develop the esports ecosystem, support talent training and development, and create long-term opportunities for players, teams, and partners worldwide.