Chess.com, MOONTON Games and SNK join the Esports Nations Cup as Official Publishers, alongside Founding Publishers and video game companies EA, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft.
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced the addition of three new official publishing partners for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC). Chess.com, MOONTON Games, and SNK will join established partners EA, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft in creating a landmark tournament where top esports players will compete to represent their countries. This event, scheduled to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2026, marks a significant step in bringing national pride to the global esports arena.
The ENC aims to establish a recurring platform for national teams, a first of its kind on such a large scale. The collaboration with these publishers is designed to enhance the competitive integrity and structure of the tournament. Each partner will co-develop qualification paths and competition formats for their games, ensuring that the event remains relevant and fair. The inclusion of Chess.com, MOONTON Games, and SNK underscores the commitment to a player-centric approach in this new format.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of EWCF, stated, “By partnering closely with publishers, we can make the Esports Nations Cup truly player-centric, and give players the opportunity to represent their country in the games that define their careers.” This partnership is expected to activate players globally, creating a tournament that feels significant for participants and fans alike.
New Dimensions in National Representation
The Esports Nations Cup will feature national teams from major regions including North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The competition will include both team-based and solo-player formats, allowing for a diverse range of play styles. A multi-layered qualification model will be implemented, combining global rankings, regional qualifiers, and wildcard entries, including solidarity placements. This approach aims to create a broad and inclusive competitive stage for every game represented.
The ENC builds on the foundation of the Esports World Cup, currently recognized as the largest multi-title esports event globally. While the World Cup unites top clubs, the ENC introduces a new aspect of competition driven by national identity and regional representation. With this initiative, the EWCF envisions a future where national esports teams resonate with fans and cultures around the world.
The tournament will adopt a rotating host model, allowing different countries to showcase their national teams and connect with local audiences. This biennial event will not only provide a consistent structure for players and esports organisations but will also encourage long-term investment in national team programs.
Additional details about the Esports Nations Cup will be forthcoming, and interested parties can follow updates on esportsnationscup.com and through various social media platforms.
The Esports Nations Cup represents a forward-thinking initiative in the esports industry, aiming to foster fandom, inspire heroes, and create sustainable pathways for nations, players, and partners within the global ecosystem. The EWCF, based in Riyadh, is dedicated to advancing and professionalizing esports worldwide, thereby making the ENC a pivotal addition to its portfolio.
