Esports World Cup Foundation announced the national team representative model for the 2026 Esports Nations Cup tournament

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) officially announced the national team representation model for the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), the national team-based global esports tournament scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in November 2026, through the opening of the registration portal for official National Partners.

The Esports Nations Cup brings the national team model into the global esports competition calendar in a structured and regular manner. This tournament complements the Esports World Cup in a club-level model, allowing players to compete under the national flag and giving fans the opportunity to connect with top esports with a national identity.

National Partners will act as official representatives of ENC 2026 in each country, responsible for building and representing national esports teams on the global stage. In coordination with EWCF, these partners will coordinate national representation at ENC, support team coaches for each subject, and coordinate with game publishing partners and clubs within the ENC framework.

In addition to the competition aspect, National Partners also have a role in shaping the identity of the national team through marketing, communications and community engagement activities, and working with content creators, media agencies and relevant public organizations or agencies to mobilize the domestic community and build fan support for the national team.

While National Partners are responsible for the organization and representation of national teams, competition integrity and player eligibility will be governed by ENC regulations and processes agreed with game publishing partners.

Each selected Country Partner will nominate a Country Director, who will take on a leadership role and be the official representative of the national team. The Country Director will be the main point of contact between EWCF and the domestic esports ecosystem, supporting the coordination, representation and implementation of activities at the national level, and be officially approved by EWCF.

In order to support the long-term development of esports under the national team model, EWCF will establish the ENC Development Fund, with a minimum commitment of 20 million USD per year, starting from ENC 2026. The fund will support national team programs by paying for travel and logistics costs for attending the Esports Nations Cup, while also facilitating the implementation of communication, promotion and fan engagement activities, to increase awareness and interest. focus and connection for national teams outside the main tournament framework. These activities will be supported by the necessary commercial, marketing and operational capabilities to ensure a stable and sustainable implementation process over time.

The scope of support includes training programs, fan camps, friendly matches and demonstrations, official watch parties, national team tours, as well as appearances at major gaming and sports events.

More detailed information on the scope of support, participation conditions and implementation methods will be shared with selected National Partners during the reception process.

“The goal of the Esports World Cup Foundation is to elevate esports and build sustainability for the entire industry,” said Ralf Reichert, General Manager of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “The Esports Nations Cup is the inevitable next step in that journey. Through the opening of this registration portal, we invite prestigious National Partners to join in shaping the model of national representation in esports, with clear roles, unified governance mechanisms and a system that benefits players, game publishing partners and fans.”

Parties eligible to apply include esports organizations, clubs, service companies, NGOs, national esports and sports federations and associations, government agencies, content creators, as well as experienced esports professionals with strong links 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 the following criteria: governance standards, position in the ecosystem, operational capacity, community outreach and the degree of meeting requirements from game publishing partners.

The first set of approved Country Partnerships will be announced in early 2026.

ENC will be held in Riyadh in November 2026 before moving to a bi-annual, city-to-city rotation model, 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. To stay up to date with the latest news, 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

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), to bring national pride to the world esports stage. First launched in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2026, ENC brings together the best global players, competing not for clubs but representing their countries and territories, across a system of leading esports disciplines. Built in collaboration with gaming partners, clubs and esports organizations, ENC establishes the first large-scale recurring platform dedicated to national teams in esports. Not just stopping at the competition aspect, ENC aims to promote the fan community, inspire generations of players, and create sustainable development paths for countries, players and partners in the global esports ecosystem. esportsnationscup.com

About Esports World Cup Foundation

Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a mission to promote and professionalize the global esports industry. Through the Esports World Cup (EWC) tournament held annually and the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) held every two years, EWCF brings together the world’s top players, famous clubs and millions of fans on the biggest stages of esports. In addition to organizing tournaments, EWCF also works throughout the year to develop the esports ecosystem, support training and talent development, and create long-term opportunities for players, teams and partners around the world.