Esports Nations Cup in Saudi Arabia Postponed by One Year

The inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been postponed by one year. Initially set for November 2026, the competition will now be held in November 2027. Teams from Nepal, including those for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and PUBG Mobile, had been preparing to participate.

According to the Esports Foundation (EF), the decision to postpone was made after continuous assessment of regional conditions and consultations with stakeholders. With over 100 countries and regions expected to participate, the delay aims to ensure sufficient stability and certainty for the event. EF emphasized that despite the rescheduling, their commitment to the ENC remains unchanged.

Additional time is needed to create an appropriate environment for national team partners, game publishers, players, and supporters to host a world-class event. Commitments related to national team partners’ development funds, announced earlier for the ENC, will remain intact. The Foundation has pledged to continue collaborating on the development of national esports infrastructure with game publishers and team partners.

Ralph Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation, acknowledged that the decision to postpone was not taken lightly. He noted the strong enthusiasm among national team partners, publishers, players, and the global community and stressed the importance of holding the first edition under suitable conditions as per expectations. The ENC will feature top players representing their national teams across various games worldwide. The tournament aims to foster national esports growth, open new opportunities for players, and build fresh connections with fans through country representation.