The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced a $45 million funding commitment for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026, a new global esports tournament built around national teams.
The competition will debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 to 29, 2026, adding a nation-based format to the global esports calendar alongside existing club competitions.
According to EWCF, the $45 million commitment is structured to support players, clubs and national teams. This includes $20 million in prize money for players and coaches across 16 game titles. An additional $5 million has been allocated as incentives for esports clubs that release their professional players to represent their countries, with rewards linked to player performance at the event.
The remaining $20 million will be distributed through the ENC Development Fund to support official national team partners. The fund will cover logistics, travel, operations, marketing and long-term development of national team programmes.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said national teams introduce a new dimension to esports by strengthening fan engagement through national identity and rivalries. He added that the prize structure is designed to be fair and sustainable while encouraging long-term ecosystem growth.
The tournament will follow a placement-based prize model, where equal finishing positions earn equal pay per player across all titles. First-place winners will receive $50,000 per player, second place $30,000, and third place $15,000. Coaches will also receive rewards based on team placements.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Trackmania and Dota 2 have been confirmed as part of the 2026 lineup, with more titles to be announced. The ENC will be held every two years and is expected to move to different host cities in future editions.