The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has taken a major step toward building a long-term, nation-based esports ecosystem with the official launch of its national team representation framework for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup.
The announcement also opened applications for official National Team Partners, the organisations that will be responsible for assembling, managing, and representing their countries’ esports squads on the world stage.
What Is the Esports Nations Cup?
Set to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November, the much-anticipated Esports Nations Cup will give players the chance to compete under their national flag for the first time in a major international esports event. The competition, running on a biennial format, complements the club-based Esports World Cup, offering fans another way to connect with athletes—this time through national pride.
“The purpose of the Esports World Cup Foundation is to elevate esports and make it sustainable. The Esports Nations Cup is a natural next step in that journey,” said EWCF CEO Ralf Reichert. “By opening this application process, we are inviting trusted National Team Partners to help define the framework for how countries and territories are represented in esports, with clear roles, aligned governance, and a system that works for players, game partners, and fans alike.”
What Does the Framework Stipulate?
Under the new framework, National Team Partners won’t just form rosters—they’ll act as their country’s official counterpart within the Esports Nations Cup. That means coordinating with game publishers, clubs, and coaches, overseeing national team operations for each game title, and making sure competition rules and eligibility requirements are followed.
Partners will also play a key role in shaping a team’s identity, from marketing and communications to community engagement campaigns. That includes working with creators and media, mobilising local fanbases, and ensuring that national representation resonates across gaming communities. Each organisation will appoint a National Team Manager to serve as the team’s public face and main point of contact with the EWCF.
Eligibility is broad, with esports organisations, clubs, NGOs, national federations, government-mandated entities, agencies, creators, and professionals with deep esports ecosystem ties all able to apply.
What Is the ENC Development Fund?
To support long-term investment in nation-based esports, the EWCF is also launching the Esports Nations Cup Development Fund, committing at least $20 million annually starting with Esports Nations Cup 2026. The fund will cover team logistics and travel for competitions, while supporting year-round activities to strengthen national fandom.
That means training camps and bootcamps with fan access, national team tours, showcase matches, watch parties, and appearances at major gaming and sports events. The goal is to ensure that the Esports Nations Cup ecosystem thrives not just during the competition, but throughout the year.
Riyadh will host the first edition of the Esports Nations Cup, but EWCF has a long-term vision: a rotating host city model that mirrors international sporting events. With national pride now officially part of the esports equation, fans around the world will get to cheer not just for players, but for the country they represent.
