Esports World Cup Foundation Announces Esports Nations Cup

First Global, Recurring National Team Competition in Esports at This Scale

Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent and Ubisoft Announced for the November 2026 Event

MEDIA KIT

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Aug. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), a landmark tournament where the best esports players in the world will compete not only for professional glory with their clubs, but for the honor of representing their countries. The ENC introduces national pride to the global esports stage in a recurring format and is the first event of its kind at this scale.

"Nation versus nation competition is the ultimate expression of sport," said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. "The ENC makes this a reality for esports, giving every fan a flag to rally behind and every player the pride of representing their country. It's a stage to create heroes, inspire the next generation, and, together with our partners and stakeholders, build the national ecosystems that will accelerate the growth of esports worldwide."

The inaugural edition will be co-developed with the publishers and video game companies - Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft. These partners bring the scale and insight essential to building a global competition for national teams that reflects the values and integrity of each game. Each one of them will help shape their game's national ranking systems, qualification pathways, and event formats, ensuring the ENC resonates with their fans and meets the highest standards of competition.

The ENC will feature national teams from all major regions, including North America, South America, Europe, MENA, Africa, Asia, and SEA & Oceania, competing in both team-based and solo-player formats. A multi-layered qualification model will balance competitiveness and inclusivity: combining global rankings, regional qualifiers, and Wildcard entries, including solidarity placements, to ensure a broad and representative competitive stage in every game. All players will receive guaranteed prize money, with equal placement rewards across all games, ensuring fairness for players. The Esports World Cup Foundation will work with relevant stakeholders in each region to shape how teams are formed and represented.

The ENC will be hosted every two years, providing a dependable structure for players, coaches, and esports organizations - and confidence for publishers, clubs, and partners to invest in long-term national team programs.

As the newest addition to the EWCF portfolio, the ENC builds on the momentum of the Esports World Cup - the world's largest multi-title esports event - and extends its mission to a new layer of global competition. While the EWC unites the best clubs, the ENC unlocks a new frontier powered by national identity and regional representation.

The ENC will debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2026, before moving to a rotating host model, bringing national esports teams to fans and cultures worldwide.

The ENC announcement was made at the New Global Sport Conference in Riyadh, where 1,500 industry leaders convened to discuss the convergence of gaming, esports and sport.

More information about the Esports Nations Cup will be released in the coming weeks. To stay up to date, visit esportsnationscup.com, and follow ENC on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, and follow the Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn.

About Esports World Cup Foundation
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) is a non-profit organization based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, dedicated to advancing and professionalizing the global esports industry. Through the annual Esports World Cup (EWC) and the biennial Esports Nations Cup (ENC), EWCF brings together the world's top players, leading clubs, and millions of fans for the biggest stages in competitive gaming. Beyond hosting tournaments, the Foundation works year-round to grow the esports ecosystem, support talent development, and create lasting opportunities for players, teams, and partners worldwide.

About the Esports Nations Cup
The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is a biennial global esports competition created by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) that brings national pride to the world stage. Launching in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2026, the ENC will feature the world's best players competing not for their clubs, but for their countries, across a lineup of leading esports titles. Built in collaboration with publishers, clubs, and esports organizations, the ENC establishes the first recurring, large-scale platform for national teams in esports. Beyond competition, it aims to fuel fandom, inspire heroes, and provide sustainable pathways for nations, players, and partners to grow within the global esports ecosystem. esportsnationscup.com

 

Video - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2756550/ENC_Announcement_animatic.mp4
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2756551/EWCF_ENC_tournament.jpg?p=medium600
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2695442/5473808/Esports_World_Cup_Foundation_Logo.jpg

First Global, Recurring National Team Competition in Esports at This Scale

Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent and Ubisoft Announced for the November 2026 Event

MEDIA KIT

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Aug. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), a landmark tournament where the best esports players in the world will compete not only for professional glory with their clubs, but for the honor of representing their countries. The ENC introduces national pride to the global esports stage in a recurring format and is the first event of its kind at this scale.

"Nation versus nation competition is the ultimate expression of sport," said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. "The ENC makes this a reality for esports, giving every fan a flag to rally behind and every player the pride of representing their country. It's a stage to create heroes, inspire the next generation, and, together with our partners and stakeholders, build the national ecosystems that will accelerate the growth of esports worldwide."

The inaugural edition will be co-developed with the publishers and video game companies - Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft. These partners bring the scale and insight essential to building a global competition for national teams that reflects the values and integrity of each game. Each one of them will help shape their game's national ranking systems, qualification pathways, and event formats, ensuring the ENC resonates with their fans and meets the highest standards of competition.

The ENC will feature national teams from all major regions, including North America, South America, Europe, MENA, Africa, Asia, and SEA & Oceania, competing in both team-based and solo-player formats. A multi-layered qualification model will balance competitiveness and inclusivity: combining global rankings, regional qualifiers, and Wildcard entries, including solidarity placements, to ensure a broad and representative competitive stage in every game. All players will receive guaranteed prize money, with equal placement rewards across all games, ensuring fairness for players. The Esports World Cup Foundation will work with relevant stakeholders in each region to shape how teams are formed and represented.

The ENC will be hosted every two years, providing a dependable structure for players, coaches, and esports organizations - and confidence for publishers, clubs, and partners to invest in long-term national team programs.

As the newest addition to the EWCF portfolio, the ENC builds on the momentum of the Esports World Cup - the world's largest multi-title esports event - and extends its mission to a new layer of global competition. While the EWC unites the best clubs, the ENC unlocks a new frontier powered by national identity and regional representation.

The ENC will debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2026, before moving to a rotating host model, bringing national esports teams to fans and cultures worldwide.

The ENC announcement was made at the New Global Sport Conference in Riyadh, where 1,500 industry leaders convened to discuss the convergence of gaming, esports and sport.

More information about the Esports Nations Cup will be released in the coming weeks. To stay up to date, visit esportsnationscup.com, and follow ENC on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, and follow the Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn.

About Esports World Cup Foundation
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) is a non-profit organization based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, dedicated to advancing and professionalizing the global esports industry. Through the annual Esports World Cup (EWC) and the biennial Esports Nations Cup (ENC), EWCF brings together the world's top players, leading clubs, and millions of fans for the biggest stages in competitive gaming. Beyond hosting tournaments, the Foundation works year-round to grow the esports ecosystem, support talent development, and create lasting opportunities for players, teams, and partners worldwide.

About the Esports Nations Cup
The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is a biennial global esports competition created by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) that brings national pride to the world stage. Launching in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2026, the ENC will feature the world's best players competing not for their clubs, but for their countries, across a lineup of leading esports titles. Built in collaboration with publishers, clubs, and esports organizations, the ENC establishes the first recurring, large-scale platform for national teams in esports. Beyond competition, it aims to fuel fandom, inspire heroes, and provide sustainable pathways for nations, players, and partners to grow within the global esports ecosystem. esportsnationscup.com

 

Video - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2756550/ENC_Announcement_animatic.mp4
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2756551/EWCF_ENC_tournament.jpg?p=medium600
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2695442/5473808/Esports_World_Cup_Foundation_Logo.jpg

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Esports World Cup Foundation Announces Esports Nations Cup

ALULA, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks the official opening of Desert X AlUla 2026, the landmark fourth edition of the international, open-air biennial exhibition. Arts AlUla, in collaboration with Desert X, welcomes visitors to experience a stellar line-up of Saudi and international multi-generational artists whose site-responsive earthworks, sculptures, and installations will engage in a powerful dialogue with the awe-inspiring landscapes and layered heritage of AlUla.

 

 

As a premier destination rich in ancient history and breathtaking nature, AlUla, located in Northwest Saudi Arabia, solidifies its position on the global stage as a dynamic, emerging land art destination with Desert X AlUla, the region's first public art biennale, and a key highlight of the AlUla Arts Festival.

The 2026 edition of Desert X AlUla brings together 11 acclaimed artists whose diverse works reflect a wide spectrum of ideas, materials, and traditions. From monumental kinetic sculpture to sound-based explorations above and below ground, each commission is deeply rooted in relationships to AlUla's distinctive environment, further cementing Desert X AlUla's reputation as a globally significant platform for site-responsive land art.

Desert X AlUla runs until February 28, 2026, as a cornerstone of the annual AlUla Arts Festival. Curated by Wejdan Reda, Zoé Whitley, with artistic direction by Neville Wakefield, and Raneem Farsi, its fourth edition explores 'Space Without Measure.' Inspired by Kahlil Gibran, the theme fosters contemplation of imagination within AlUla's natural settings. The exhibition, set in the desert canyons of AlUla, serves as a pre-opening programme for Wadi AlFann, offering a pivotal glimpse into AlUla's plans to create a permanent land art 'Valley of the Arts.'

Hamad Alhomiedan, Director of Arts & Creative Industries at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), said: "At Desert X AlUla 2026, audiences will engage with art that deeply converses with AlUla's unique landscapes and rich heritage. These compelling commissions highlight AlUla's dynamic transformation into a major global destination, where ancient and contemporary expressions converge. This exhibition is part of our broader revitalisation of AlUla as a culturally rich destination to live, work and visit and integral to positioning AlUla in the global dialogue of contemporary art and as a precursor to monumental projects like Wadi AlFann."

Participating artist/artworks are: 

• Sara Abdu, A Kingdom Where No One Dies: Contours of Resonance
• Mohammad Alfaraj, What was the Question Again?
• Mohammed AlSaleem, The Thorn, AlShuruf Unit, The Triangles, Flower Bud, and Al Ahilla (courtesy of Royal Commission for Riyadh City)
• Tarek Atoui, The Water Song
• Bahraini-Danish, Bloom 
• Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, Imole Red 
• Agnes Denes, The Living Pyramid
• Ibrahim El-Salahi, Haraza Tree
• Basmah Felemban, Murmur of Pebbles
• Vibha Galhotra, Future Fables
• Héctor Zamora, Tar HyPar

For further information, please contact:
Sabrine.Shaw@bursonglobal.com
AlUlaArtsFestival@bursonglobal.com 

Multimedia gallery:
High-resolution photos of all 11 artists and their artworks can be found here.

About AlUla and Arts AlUla

Located 1,100 km from Riyadh, in North-West Saudi Arabia, AlUla is a place of extraordinary natural and human heritage. The vast area, covering 22,561km², includes a lush oasis valley, towering sandstone mountains and ancient cultural heritage sites dating back thousands of years to when the Lihyan and Nabataean kingdoms reigned.

The most well-known and recognised site in AlUla is Hegra, the principal southern city of the Nabataean Kingdom and Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. AlUla is also home to ancient Dadan, the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms and considered to be one of the most developed 1st millennium BCE cities of the Arabian Peninsula, and Jabal Ikmah, an open air library of hundreds of inscriptions and writings in many different languages. AlUla Old Town Village, a labyrinth of more than 900 mudbrick homes was developed from at least the 12th century and has been revitalised as the vibrant hub for visitors and residents.

The creation of Arts AlUla within The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) is a commitment to crafting the next chapters in a millennia of artistic creation – celebrating cultural inheritance and shaping a future inspired by artists built be artists. The work of Arts AlUla seeks to preserve this legacy: fuse the old with the new; the local with the international, keeping the arts central to the spirit of AlUla as a place of extraordinary natural and human heritage.

Wadi AlFann, meaning 'Valley of the Arts,' will be a global cultural destination for land art, unveiling from 2028 onwards, where era-defining works by artists from around the world will be permanently sited in the monumental landscape of AlUla, the extraordinary desert region of north-west Saudi Arabia.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Desert X AlUla 2026: monumental land art exhibition opens in the ancient oasis of AlUla