The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced a $45 million funding commitment for the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026, introducing a large-scale national team competition format to the global esports calendar. The initiative is designed to sit alongside existing club-based systems, giving players the opportunity to compete for their countries while maintaining ties to professional organizations.
ENC 2026 will debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and is scheduled to run from November 2 to November 29, 2026. The tournament will feature competition across 16 titles, bringing together players from different regions under national banners rather than traditional esports organizations.
How the ENC 2026 Funding Is Structured
EWCF’s $45 million investment is split into three main areas focused on players, clubs, and national programs. A total of $20 million will be distributed as prize money paid directly to players and coaches competing across the 16 titles. Instead of routing winnings through organizations, the structure prioritizes individual competitors and staff involved in each roster.
An additional $5 million has been reserved as incentives for esports clubs that release contracted players to represent their countries. This is intended to reduce friction between national competitions and existing league or tournament schedules, where organizations often face operational and competitive risks when players step away from team commitments.
The remaining $20 million will be deployed through the ENC Development Fund. This portion of the budget is aimed at supporting national teams with logistics, operations, marketing, and long-term pathway development. Rather than treating the tournament as a standalone event, EWCF is positioning ENC as part of a broader system that helps countries build and maintain competitive programs.
Player Prize Model and Team Payouts
ENC 2026 will use a standardized payout structure across all participating titles. First-place finishers will earn $50,000 per player, with second place paying $30,000 per player and third place paying $15,000 per player. For team-based games, payouts will be scaled according to roster size to ensure consistency across different formats and genres.
By paying players and coaches directly, the Esports World Cup Foundation is aiming for a transparent reward system that reflects performance rather than organizational ownership. This approach aligns ENC with traditional sports models where athletes represent national programs while still maintaining professional careers elsewhere.
Across the 16 confirmed slots, the tournament is expected to include a mix of PC, console, and mobile esports. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Trackmania, and Dota 2 have already been confirmed, with additional titles set to be revealed ahead of the event.
National Representation Comes to Global Esports
Unlike most major tournaments that focus on club competition, the Esports Nations Cup introduces a country-based structure. Players will compete under national flags, adding a different layer of identity and rivalry to international esports.
EWCF plans to run ENC on a biennial schedule following its 2026 debut. The idea is to give players, partners, and national federations enough time to prepare rosters, infrastructure, and qualification systems rather than compressing the event into a yearly cycle. This format also allows national programs to focus on development between editions, similar to international competition models used in traditional sports.
The foundation has stated that ENC is meant to complement, not replace, existing club ecosystems such as the Esports World Cup. Clubs remain central to player development, while national teams provide an additional stage for international competition.
Riyadh’s Role in the Esports Nations Cup Launch
Riyadh will host the first Esports Nations Cup, continuing Saudi Arabia’s growing involvement in global esports infrastructure and event hosting. With ENC running nearly a full month, the tournament is positioned as a major fixture rather than a short-form showcase.
The extended schedule allows space for multiple titles, broadcast coverage, and international travel logistics, while also integrating the national team concept into a single, unified esports event. For EWCF, the location supports its broader strategy of turning Riyadh into a recurring hub for international esports competitions.
What ENC 2026 Means for Players and Organizations
The Esports Nations Cup introduces a new layer of opportunity for players looking to compete internationally without leaving the professional club ecosystem. The combination of direct player payments, club release incentives, and national development funding is designed to balance competitive integrity with business realities.
For organizations, the $5 million incentive pool helps reduce the cost of releasing players during ENC windows. For players, the national format creates a different competitive environment that focuses on country representation instead of brand-based lineups. For regions, the Development Fund supports infrastructure that can outlast a single tournament cycle.
With more titles yet to be announced and national programs beginning preparation, ENC 2026 is shaping up as a long-term project rather than a one-off esports experiment.
Source: PocketGamer
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Esports Nations Cup 2026?
The Esports Nations Cup 2026 is a new international esports tournament where players compete for their countries instead of professional clubs. It is organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation and will debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
How much money is committed to ENC 2026?
The Esports World Cup Foundation has committed $45 million in total funding, including prize money, club incentives, and national team development support.
How big is the prize pool for players?
ENC 2026 includes $20 million in prize money paid directly to players and coaches across 16 esports titles.
How much do winners earn at ENC 2026?
First-place players earn $50,000 each, second place earns $30,000 per player, and third place earns $15,000 per player, with payouts scaled based on team size.
Why are clubs given incentives?
EWCF is providing $5 million in incentives to clubs to offset the impact of releasing players to compete for national teams during the tournament.
Where and when will ENC 2026 take place?
The tournament will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 to November 29, 2026.
Which games are confirmed for ENC 2026?
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Trackmania, and Dota 2 are confirmed so far, with more titles to be announced.
How often will the Esports Nations Cup be held?
After its debut in 2026, the Esports Nations Cup is planned to run every two years to support long-term planning and national team development.
