The world of esports is about to witness a groundbreaking shift. The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has officially revealed the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), a new global competition that brings together the best players not just to represent clubs, but to carry the honor of their countries. This move marks the first time national pride will take center stage in a recurring global esports tournament of this scale.
Nation vs Nation on the Biggest Stage
“Nation versus nation competition is the ultimate expression of sport,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the EWCF. “The ENC will give every fan a flag to rally behind and every player the pride of representing their country. It’s a stage to create heroes, inspire the next generation, and build the ecosystems that will fuel esports growth worldwide.”
The ENC will run every two years and will feature teams from every major region including North America, South America, Europe, MENA, Africa, Asia, and SEA & Oceania. Players will compete across both team-based and solo formats, with a qualification system that blends global rankings, regional qualifiers, Wildcard entries, and solidarity placements to ensure inclusivity and representation.
Backed by Gaming’s Biggest Names
To make the ENC a reality, EWCF is partnering with some of the largest publishers in the industry, including Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft. These partners will play a direct role in shaping national ranking systems, qualification pathways, and event formats to ensure the tournament delivers top-tier competition and resonates with fans worldwide.
Each participating player will also receive guaranteed prize money, with equal placement rewards across all games. This model ensures fairness and sustainability, giving competitors confidence that their efforts will be rewarded regardless of game choice.
Building on the Legacy of the Esports World Cup
The ENC builds on the success of the Esports World Cup, currently the largest multi-title esports event in the world. While the EWC unites the best clubs, the ENC introduces a new layer of identity-driven competition, where national pride takes the spotlight.
The debut tournament will be hosted in Riyadh in November 2026, before rotating to other global locations in future editions. This approach ensures fans across continents can experience the thrill of cheering for their countries live in stadiums filled with national pride.
A New Era of Esports Competition
The ENC is expected to become a turning point for the industry. By introducing a system where esports is tied to national identity in the same way traditional sports like football or the Olympics are, the competition is set to elevate esports to new cultural and global significance.
The announcement was made during the New Global Sport Conference in Riyadh, where over 1,500 leaders from the gaming, esports, and sports industries gathered to discuss the future of competition. With such momentum, the ENC could soon become the most iconic recurring event in esports history.
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