The Esports World Cup Foundation has announced the Esports Nations Cup, a new global tournament where players will compete for their countries as well as their clubs.
Organisers shared that the event is designed to introduce “national pride” to esports as the first of its scale to focus on country-based competition.
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The inaugural edition will take place in Riyadh in 2026 before moving to a rotating host model to reach audiences worldwide — but it is not the only country-based global esports event to be hosted in the city in the future.
Saudi Arabia is set to host the first Esports Olympics in 2027, after the International Olympic Committee signed a 12-year deal with the National Olympic Committee of the kingdom.
Esports fans have been waiting years for a country-based global event, but not every nation is ready for it. Esports are not formally recognised in many countries, and laws often fail to distinguish competitive gaming from gambling.
Furthermore, the lack of national organisations to run local tournaments or develop teams will limit participation and leave many nations without the infrastructure to compete at this level.
However, fans have consistently raised concerns about the country’s sportswashing and the ethical decisions of international sports organisations, as Saudi Arabia’s heavy investment in high-profile events is seen by some as an attempt to improve its international image.
At the same time, the concentration of major esports competitions in one location raises questions about fairness, access, and the broader governance choices made by global sporting authorities.
As Saudi Arabia is also set to host the Esports Olympics starting in 2027, meaning the Nations Cup could serve as a prelude and motivate countries to develop their rosters ahead of that event.
Structure, Publishers, and Regional Participation
The Esports Nations Cup will be held every two years, providing a regular framework for national teams. According to its organizers, the event will help players, coaches, and organisations plan long term while encouraging countries to build competitive rosters.
The ENC will collaborate with major game publishers including Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft. Each publisher will help shape national ranking systems, qualification pathways, and event formats for its games, ensuring both competitive integrity and fan engagement.
Teams from North America, South America, Europe, MENA, Africa, Asia, and SEA & Oceania are expected to participate, said the organizers.
The competition will include both team-based and solo games, with qualification combining global rankings, regional qualifiers, and wildcard entries to provide a balance between “competitiveness and inclusivity.”
Titles already featured in the Esports World Cup will likely find their way into the ENC as well, spanning genres such as first-person shooters, battle royale, sports simulations, and MOBAs.
Organizers have already promised all players will receive “guaranteed prize money,” with equal rewards across games. By combining established competitive structures with a focus on national pride, the ENC aims to build long-term infrastructure for esports worldwide, it is yet to convince a large portion of its audience to cheer for the event.
Source: https://esportsinsider.com/
