ESPORTS WORLD CUP FOUNDATION (EWCF) has unveiled the national team representation framework for the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), opening applications for National Team Partners ahead of the tournament’s debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November.
The Esports Nations Cup introduces a structured, recurring model of national team competition to the global esports calendar. Designed to sit alongside the club-based Esports World Cup, the ENC will allow players to compete under their national flags, giving fans a new way to connect with elite esports through national pride and identity.
National Team Partners will act as the official representatives for their respective countries and territories, responsible for forming and managing national esports teams for the ENC 2026. Working in close collaboration with the EWCF, they will oversee team representation, support and coordinate national team coaches across game titles, and work with game publishers and clubs within the ENC framework.
Beyond competition, National Team Partners will be tasked with shaping their teams’ identities through marketing, communications and community engagement. They will also collaborate with creators, media and public institutions to rally local communities and build sustained national support for their teams.
While National Team Partners will manage the organisation and public representation of national teams, competitive integrity and player eligibility will continue to be governed by ENC regulations and publisher-aligned processes.
Each appointed National Team Partner will nominate a National Team Manager, who will serve as the public face and primary liaison for the national team. Formally confirmed by the EWCF, this individual will act as the main point of contact between the Foundation and the local esports ecosystem, supporting coordination, representation and activation at the national or territorial level.
To underpin the long-term growth of nation-based esports, the EWCF will also establish an ENC Development Fund, committing at least US$20 million annually starting with ENC 2026. The fund will cover travel and logistics for participating teams, while also supporting promotional and fan-facing initiatives designed to build awareness, relevance and engagement around national teams beyond the main competition. These activities will be delivered through sustained commercial, marketing and operational support.
The Esports Nations Cup will be hosted in Riyadh in November 2026 before moving to a rotating host-city model. The event will be staged every two years, creating a stable and predictable platform for players, teams and organisations, and encouraging long-term investment in national esports programmes worldwide, per the media release.
EWCF CEO Ralf Reichert said, “The purpose of the Esports World Cup Foundation is to elevate esports and make it sustainable. The Esports Nations Cup is a natural next step in that journey. By opening this application process, we are inviting trusted National Team Partners to help define the framework for how countries and territories are represented in esports with clear roles, aligned governance, and a system that works for players, game partners, and fans alike.”
