The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has confirmed the competition dates and prize structure for the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), which will see national representatives face off across 16 esports titles.
The inaugural Esports Nations Cup will take place in Riyadh from November 2 to 29, 2026, marking the first time the Esports World Cup ecosystem expands beyond esports’ traditional organizations to fully embrace nation-based competition.
$45 Million Financial Commitment
ENC 2026 is backed by a three-part funding commitment totaling $45 million, structured to “support players, Clubs, and long-term national development.”
That includes $20 million in prize money, paid directly to players and coaches across 16 titles. A further $5 million has been allocated to Club incentives, rewarding organizations that release their players to compete at ENC, with payments tied to how those players perform at the event.
The remaining $20 million will be provided through the previously announced ENC Development Fund, supporting National Team Partners with logistics, travel, program operations, national team marketing, and the long-term growth of national pathways.
Equal Prize Structure
The ENC will have a placement-based prize structure that applies equally across every tournament at the event. Every qualified participant is guaranteed a minimum of three matches, and every finishing position receives prize money.
Equal placement earns equal pay across all games, with coaches rewarded alongside players for the same result. A first-place finish awards $50,000 per player, whether competing in a solo title or as part of a team. Second place pays $30,000 per player, with $15,000 to third place.
“National teams bring a powerful new layer to esports, one that is accessible, intuitive, and rooted in identity and pride,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “Clubs are the cultural backbone of esports. Nation-based competition expands the stage, creates new rivalries, and gives more fans a reason to care from day one. Our prize model is designed to keep competition fair and sustainable, rewarding performance while supporting the long-term development of players, Clubs, and national programs.”
The Esports Nations Cup will be held every two years, with EWCF confirming plans to move to a rotating host-city model after its debut in Riyadh. Future editions are set to bring national esports to major cities around the world, while providing players, partners, and national programs with a dependable, long-term structure.
Three titles have already been confirmed for ENC 2026: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Trackmania, and Dota 2, with additional titles to be announced in the coming days.
The Esports Nations Cup will debut in Riyadh this November, adding a new national dimension to the global esports calendar.