Today, the Esports Foundation announced that the inaugural Esports Nations Cup has been postponed to November 2027 following an ongoing assessment of the wider regional situation and consultations with key stakeholders.
The event was originally scheduled for November 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The decision was made to provide National Teams, publishers, partners, and fans with greater certainty and stability ahead of the competition, as The Esports Nations Cup is set to bring together teams and stakeholders from more than 100 countries and territories.
Despite the postponement, Saudi Arabia can still host major international events, with sporting and entertainment events continuing as planned. The organization said the move reflects its commitment to delivering a world-class international competition that meets the standards and long-term ambitions established for the Esports Nations Cup.
The postponement will not affect the Esports Foundation’s commitment to national esports ecosystems or existing Esports Nations Cup Development Fund commitments to National Team Partners.
“The decision to postpone the Esports Nations Cup was not taken lightly,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation. “The response from National Team Partners, publishers, players and communities around the world has shown us how much potential this competition has. We owe them an inaugural ENC delivered under the right conditions and at the level this idea deserves.”
Reichert added that they will continue investing in National Team Partners, working with publishers, and developing national esports ecosystems ahead of the tournament’s new 2027 timeline.
More than 100 countries and territories across every continent have already secured official partner status for the Esports Nations Cup. The competition is designed to bring together top players across multiple game titles while creating new pathways for athletes, strengthening national esports development, and building new forms of fandom through national pride and international competition.
Over the coming weeks, The Esports Foundation will work with National Team Partners, publishers, and other stakeholders to share more details on the revised competition calendar, qualification pathways, and other implications of the postponement.
