The first edition of the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), the international tournament that will bring together eSports teams from different countries, will not take place in November 2026 as originally planned. Through an official statement, the Esports Foundation confirmed that the event has been postponed for a year and will take place in November 2027 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The decision was made after a review of the current geopolitical situation in the region and consultations with the main stakeholders involved in the project. The organization explained that the context of uncertainty led to considering the postponement as the most appropriate alternative to ensure stability and predictability for teams, players, publishers, partners, and fans.
"The decision to postpone the Esports Nations Cup was not taken lightly", declared Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation. The executive emphasized that the goal is for the first edition to be held "under the right conditions and at the level this idea deserves" and assured that the change of date does not alter the commitment to the tournament.
At the same time, the entity stated that the postponement will not imply changes in the venue: Saudi Arabia will remain the designated location for the first edition. The organization clarified that the country maintains the conditions to host international competitions and that other major sports and entertainment events will continue as planned.
The delay will also not affect the programs that were already underway. The Esports Foundation confirmed that commitments made through the ENC Development Fund will be maintained with the national teams' partners and that work will continue with publishers, national organizations, and other stakeholders involved.
The new date will require reviewing the overall competition calendar, qualification processes, and other aspects related to the organization. According to the entity, these modifications will be worked on in the coming weeks together with the official partners.
The ENC already has representatives and partners in over 100 countries and territories across all continents. The project aims to bring together the best players from different video games under their respective flags, with the goal of strengthening national eSports ecosystems and generating an international competition based on representation and national pride.
