Riyadh Prepares to Host Inaugural Esports Nations Cup

The Esports Nations Cup is set to begin its inaugural tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, running from November 2 to November 29, 2026. This international event will feature competition across 16 distinct video game titles. The tournament aims to bring together national teams from around the world to compete on a global stage. Organizers have established a comprehensive qualification pathway known as the Road to the Esports Nations Cup to determine the participating rosters. This system allows for diverse entry methods tailored to the specific nature of each game involved. Team-based competitions will cover nine major titles, including Dota 2, Honor of Kings, League of Legends, and PUBG: Battlegrounds. Other games featured in the lineup include Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBG MOBILE, Rainbow Six Siege, Rocket League, and VALORANT. The tournament structure is designed to accommodate different competitive formats for each game. Some titles, such as Counter-Strike 2 and Apex Legends, allow players to form and register their own teams for online qualifiers. In contrast, games like Street Fighter 6 utilize an individual qualification system to select participants. The Esports World Cup Foundation has also launched an interactive platform called Team Builder to assist players, coaches, and managers in the registration process. This tool is intended to streamline the organization of national squads before the finals. More than 100,000 players from over 150 countries and territories are expected to participate in the various qualifying events held throughout the year. The event represents a significant expansion of the global esports calendar, providing a structured environment for national representation. Organizers hope the tournament will foster greater international cooperation and competition within the gaming community. As the November schedule progresses, fans can expect to see the culmination of these qualification efforts in the final rounds held in Riyadh.