Officially.. The inaugural edition of the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) postponed to November 2027

Riyadh – August 18, 2026

The Esports Foundation announced in an official statement today its decision to postpone the inaugural launch of the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), which was scheduled to take place in the Saudi capital Riyadh from November 2 to 29, 2026, officially moving it to November 2027.

The foundation explained that this decision was made after ongoing assessments of the overall regional situation and its developments, and after extensive consultations with partners of national teams, publishers, and executive bodies. The foundation deemed that shifting the date to next year is the responsible decision to provide the stable environment required for a global tournament of this size, magnitude, and uniqueness.

📌 Tournament Details and New Timeline:

The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is the world’s first global event of its kind for national teams, hosted in the Saudi capital Riyadh under the direct organization of the Esports Foundation. The tournament gathers teams and national representatives from over 100 countries and regions around the world to compete under their national flags.

The postponed edition in November 2027 is expected to feature fierce competitions across 16 approved electronic games, including the following games:

• Counter-Strike 2 (CS2)- League of Legends (LoL)- VALORANT- Rocket League- Dota 2- EA SPORTS FC 26- PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS- PUBG MOBILE- Apex Legends- Overwatch 2- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB)- Honor of Kings- Free Fire- Street Fighter 6- TEKKEN 8- Rainbow Six Siege

💰 Full Commitment and Continuation of the ENC Development Fund:

The Esports Foundation confirmed that the postponement of the finals will in no way change its direct and financial commitments to the overall esports ecosystem:

• Continuing Financial Support: The foundation continues to provide allocations from the ENC Development Fund to all partners and managers of national teams without any changes.- Completion of System Development Programs: Executive actions continue with game publishers and national federations to ensure the building of a strong sports ecosystem at the national level worldwide.- Organizational Capacity: The foundation emphasized that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia maintains its full capacity and readiness to host major global sports and entertainment events as planned.

💬 Statement from Ralf Reichert – Executive Director of the Esports Foundation:

"The decision to postpone the Esports Nations Cup was not easy at all. But the level of interest and positivity we have sensed from national team partners, publishers, players, and communities around the world compels us to deliver the inaugural edition of the tournament under ideal conditions and with the capabilities this massive project deserves. Hosting the tournament next year does not in any way indicate a reduction in our commitment; we will continue to invest in our partners and build the national competitive ecosystems that are already taking shape around the world."

🔮 What is the next step for the teams and the timeline?

The Esports Foundation will work closely with all partners and publishers in the coming weeks to clarify the mechanisms and implications of the new timeline, including:

1. Updating the Qualification Schedule: Clarifying how to address the teams and players who have already secured their qualification during the previous qualifiers (which ended on August 16).2. Eligibility Requirements and Rosters: Reviewing the lists and regulations to ensure the participation of the best elements when the tournament kicks off in 2027. 🔗 For more details and official statements: Click here