NODWIN Gaming has been appointed as India’s official National Team Partner for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026, marking a significant step in the formalisation of national-level esports representation for the country.
The appointment was announced by The Esports Foundation (EF), the governing body behind the global nation-based tournament, which is set to debut in Riyadh from November 2 to 29, 2026.
As part of the mandate, NODWIN Gaming will lead the development of India’s national esports team structure. This includes identifying and nurturing talent across multiple titles, building grassroots and competitive pathways, supporting coaching infrastructure, and coordinating with publishers, clubs and ecosystem stakeholders, a media release said.
The move is seen as a milestone for Indian esports, which has historically lacked a unified system for selecting and preparing national teams despite having one of the world’s largest gaming communities.
“The Esports Nations Cup represents a defining shift in how competitive gaming is structured globally,” said Nimish Raut, Global Head of Esports: Partnerships & Special Projects at NODWIN Gaming. “For India, this is a transformative opportunity to build a structured pathway that allows players to represent the country on the global stage.”
The Esports Nations Cup introduces a new format in competitive gaming, focusing on country-based representation rather than club or franchise models. The initiative aims to complement existing ecosystems such as the Esports World Cup, which is structured around teams and organisations.
More than 630 applications from 150 countries were received for National Team Partner roles, underlining the scale of global interest in the format. NODWIN Gaming joins a network of partners across over 100 nations tasked with developing national teams.
Hans Jagnow, Director of Special Projects at The Esports Foundation, highlighted India’s growing stature in global esports. “India is building into a major esports powerhouse, and NODWIN Gaming has been instrumental in shaping its ecosystem. We believe they are the right partner to bring together India’s national team and inspire pride on the global stage,” he said.
Strong Backing and Prize Pool
ENC 2026 is backed by a total investment of $45 million (approximately ₹414 crore), including:
- $20 million in prize money for players and coaches
- $5 million in club incentives
- $20 million dedicated to national team development
The tournament will feature a placement-based prize structure with equal payouts across titles. Individual winners will earn $50,000, with second and third place receiving $30,000 and $15,000 respectively, with scaled payouts for team events.
Multi-Title Global Showcase
The competition will span 16 titles, including major esports and hybrid formats such as:
- VALORANT, Counter-Strike 2, DOTA 2, League of Legends
- PUBG Mobile and PUBG: Battlegrounds
- Rocket League, Apex Legends, Rainbow Six Siege
- EA SPORTS FC 26, Trackmania, Fatal Fury
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Honor of Kings
- Chess, reflecting its growing integration into esports formats
