The Esports Nations Cup aims to bring national pride to the global esports arena on an ongoing basis. Sixteen games and a multi-layered qualification process have been confirmed for the inaugural global esports event.
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has confirmed the competition format and qualification model for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026, a global, nation-based esports tournament due to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2026. The first edition will feature 16 games played over four weeks, with team-based and solo formats co-developed with partners including Electronic Arts, Chess.com, Krafton, Moonton Games, SNK, Tencent and Ubisoft, with more to be announced.
At the ENC Finals, the team competitions will feature between 24 and 48 national teams per game, whereas the solo competitions will include between 32 and 128 players.
EWCF: "To ensure clear, fair, and globally balanced national representation, each nation will be represented by one official national team per title and up to two players per title in solo competitions. In certain titles, qualification pathways may allow multiple teams or players from the same nation to compete at earlier stages to determine the official national representative."
Direct invitations will be given to half of all participating national teams and players based on the competitive performance of players from their respective countries across the esports season in each game title. The remaining teams will qualify through open regional online qualifiers. Further details on national participation requirements, governance alignment and country-level representation will be shared in the forthcoming Country Partner Applications.
National teams will be formed with distinct line-ups. Full club rosters will not be permitted to compete as national teams. All national players and teams at the ENC Finals event are guaranteed to play at least three matches, "providing an opportunity for national storylines and fandom to develop".
The ENC will take place in Riyadh in November 2026, after which it will move to a rotating host city model every two years. This provides players and esports organisations with a dependable structure and supports investment in national team programmes. Ultimately, this is the vision of the Esports World Cup Foundation.
