Esports Nations Cup to debut in Riyadh in 2026 with national teams

MUMBAI: When esports trades club colours for national flags, the stakes get personal. The Esports Nations Cup 2026 is set to make its global debut in Riyadh from November 2 to 29, 2026, adding a fresh, nation-first twist to competitive gaming.

Announced by the Esports World Cup Foundation, the new tournament is designed to sit alongside the club-based Esports World Cup, giving players the rare chance to represent their countries and fans a reason to cheer with identity and pride firmly in play.

The numbers are hard to ignore. ENC 2026 is backed by a $45 million, three-part funding model, aimed at strengthening the entire esports ecosystem. Of this, 20 million dollars will be paid directly as prize money to players and coaches across 16 game titles. A further $5 million has been earmarked as incentives for esports clubs that release their professional players for national duty, with payouts linked to player performance.

Another $20 million will flow through the ENC Development Fund, supporting national teams with logistics, travel, operations, marketing and long-term pathway development signalling that this is as much about future pipelines as present-day podiums.

The competition introduces a placement-based prize framework that keeps things simple and transparent. Every qualified player is guaranteed prize money and at least three matches. A gold-medal finish earns $50,000 per player, silver takes $30,000, and bronze pays $15,000. The same placement pays the same amount across all titles, whether solo or team-based, with team payouts scaling by roster size. Coaches are rewarded alongside players for identical finishes.

“National teams bring a powerful new layer to esports, rooted in identity and pride,” said Esports World Cup Foundation CEO Ralf Reichert, adding that the model is designed to reward performance while remaining fair and sustainable for players, clubs and national programmes alike.

While Riyadh hosts the inaugural edition, the ENC is planned as a biennial event with a rotating host-city format, taking nation-based esports to major cities around the world.

Several titles are already locked in. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Trackmania, and Dota 2 have been confirmed for 2026, with more games expected to be announced shortly.

For esports fans, it is no longer just about who plays best but which nation plays proudest.