#Saudi Arabia #Riyadh #Esports World Cup #Esports Nations Cup #Ralf Reichert

Esports Nations Cup: A Historic Tournament for Global Competition

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has recently unveiled the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), an exciting new tournament that aims to give the best esports players from around the globe the chance to compete not just for their clubs, but also to represent their countries. Scheduled to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2026, this event will be a groundbreaking addition to the competitive gaming landscape.

A New Era for Esports

Ralf Reichert, the CEO of EWCF, expressed his vision, stating, “International competition is the highest expression of sport. The ENC turns this into reality for esports, presenting every fan with a flag to support, and letting every player experience the pride of representing their nation.” This initiative aims to create heroes, inspire future generations, and foster national ecosystems for the growth of esports worldwide.

The tournament will be developed in collaboration with major publishers and gaming companies such as Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft. These partners will help craft a robust competitive environment for national teams, ensuring that the values and integrity of each game are truly represented. Each partner will also contribute to shaping qualification pathways, ranking systems, and event formats, aimed at resonating with ENC fans while adhering to the highest standards of competitive integrity.

A Global Participation

The ENC will feature national teams from all major regions, including North America, South America, Europe, MENA, Africa, Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. Participants will compete in both team-based and individual formats, balanced through a multi-layered qualification model that supports competitiveness and inclusivity. This includes global rankings, regional qualifiers, and wildcard entries designed to ensure a wide and representative competitive field within each game.

Every participant will receive guaranteed prize money, and equal rankings across all games will help ensure fairness. EWCF will collaborate with relevant stakeholders in each region to shape how teams will be formed and represented.

The ENC will be held biennially, providing a reliable structure for players, coaches, and esports organizations, thereby encouraging publishers, clubs, and partners to invest in long-term national team programs. By building on the momentum of the Esports World Cup, the ENC will unlock a new frontier powered by national identity and regional representation.

Looking Ahead

The inaugural event in November 2026 will then transition to a rotational hosting model, allowing national esports teams to connect with fans and cultures worldwide. The ENC announcement coincided with the New Global Sports Conference in Riyadh, where over 1,500 industry leaders gathered to discuss the intersection of gaming, esports, and sports.

More information about the Esports Nations Cup will be revealed in the coming weeks. For updates, fans can visit esportsnationscup.com and follow ENC on platforms like X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, as well as the Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn.

About the Esports World Cup Foundation

Located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) is a non-profit organization committed to the growth and professionalization of the global esports industry. Through the annual Esports World Cup (EWC) and the biennial Esports Nations Cup (ENC), the foundation brings together the world’s best players, leading clubs, and millions of fans to the biggest stages in competitive gaming. Beyond hosting tournaments, EWCF works year-round to expand the esports ecosystem, support talent development, and create lasting opportunities for players, teams, and partners worldwide.

About the Esports Nations Cup

The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is a global esports competition established by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) that elevates national pride to the world stage. Kicking off in 2026 in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, ENC will provide a platform where the world’s top players can compete not just on behalf of their clubs but also in representation of their countries in leading esports titles. Collaboratively designed with publishers, clubs, and esports organizations, the ENC is set to become the first recurring, large-scale platform for national teams in esports. More than just competition, it aims to inspire admiration, cultivate heroes, and provide sustainable pathways for nations, players, and partners to grow within the global esports ecosystem.