Esports Nations Cup set to launch in Riyadh

Planned as a biennial event, the ENC aims to shift the competitive focus from clubs to national teams, fostering a sense of national pride and unity across the esports community.

The tournament will feature both team-based and individual competitions, with national teams able to qualify through global rankings, regional qualifiers, or wildcard invitations designed to support emerging regions.

Geographic representation will span North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, ensuring a truly global event.

To shape the qualification systems and event formats, the EWCF has partnered with major publishers including Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft.

The foundation has emphasised that prize distribution will be fair and transparent, with all participants receiving rewards standardised across games.

Sustainability is also a key goal of the ENC, as the competition is designed to support both established esports markets and emerging regions, providing long-term growth opportunities for the global esports ecosystem.

The announcement was made at the New Global Sport Conference, which drew over 1,500 industry leaders, underlining the scale and ambition of the project.

The first edition of the ENC also aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, reinforcing the country's strategy to become a global hub for esports and entertainment.