Esports Nations Cup Names Partners in 100 Countries

The Esports Foundation has named National Team Partners across more than 100 countries and territories for the Esports Nations Cup 2026. The event will debut in Riyadh from November 2 to November 29, 2026, with a format built around national teams rather than club competition.

Good to Know

• More than 630 applications came in from 150 countries and territories.
• The event will run every two years and sit alongside the annual Esports World Cup.
• Countries without a partner will receive support through regional structures.

Esports Nations Cup Builds a National Team Model

A large part of the plan is local control. Instead of forcing one structure on every market, the Esports Foundation said partners will lead team formation, rally local communities, and set up the systems needed for participation and long-term growth.

That makes the project different from traditional club-focused esports circuits. National teams will come from local bodies, clubs, or mixed alliances depending on how each market already works. In some places, that means established groups such as the Korea Esports Association and the Saudi Esports Federation. In others, it means club-led coalitions in Brazil and the USA or blended public-private models in Germany, Canada, and the UAE.

“The Esports Nations Cup introduces something esports has never had before: a global system for national teams at an unprecedented scale,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation. “The response we received from across the world shows that communities are ready for this next step. Together with our partners, we are building the structures that will allow players to represent their nations and compete on the biggest stage in esports. With more than 100 nations now part of the system, the Esports Nations Cup moves from concept to reality — establishing national esports as a lasting part of the global competitive landscape.”

The Esports Foundation said the partner list mixes long-established esports groups with newer forces pushing competitive gaming forward. In markets such as Malaysia, Turkey, and Thailand, partners include federations tied closely to grassroots communities. In Indonesia and Mongolia, development support will help shape national representation for the global stage.

For fans, the biggest change may be identity. National teams add a layer that club esports does not always offer. South Korea can lean on a long record in League of Legends, Brazil brings a strong Counter-Strike culture, Japan has deep roots in fighting games, and parts of Southeast Asia remain major centers for mobile competition. India was also highlighted for Chess.

Riyadh will host the first edition in November 2026, after which the tournament will shift to a rotating city model. The biennial setup is meant to complement the annual Esports World Cup and give players and stakeholders a steadier path for national team investment.