Esports Nations Cup Postponed to November 2027
The Esports Foundation announced on August 18 that the first Esports Nations Cup (ENC) has been postponed by one year to November 2027. The national team tournament was originally scheduled for November 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The venue remains Riyadh. The decision follows uncertainties in the regional situation and consultations with key stakeholders. The ENC is a biennial competition where countries and regions field representative players across 16 titles, including Street Fighter 6, Apex Legends, VALORANT, and chess. Over 100 countries and regions were expected to participate through qualifiers. The Esports Foundation described the postponement as a responsible decision that ensures certainty and stability for national teams, publishers, partners, and fans. CEO Ralf Reichert said the decision was not made lightly, citing feedback from communities worldwide that demonstrated the event's potential. He stated the organization has a responsibility to deliver an inaugural event at a level befitting the concept under appropriate conditions. The foundation will clarify the revised competition calendar, qualification routes, and other schedule impacts in the coming weeks. Japan's national team had already secured main tournament spots by winning qualifiers in multiple titles, including VALORANT.