The decision follows consultations with key stakeholders amid ongoing regional tensions.
The inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), originally scheduled to take place in Riyadh in November 2026, has been postponed to November 2027, the Esports Foundation (EF) has announced.
The decision follows consultations with key stakeholders amid ongoing regional tensions. Given the international scale of the competition and continued uncertainty surrounding events in the region, the EF said postponing the tournament was the responsible decision for teams, game publishers, partners and fans.
The postponement reflects the EF’s commitment to delivering a world-class competition that meets the high standards and long-term ambitions set for the ENC. The delay will not affect its commitment to the tournament or the development of national esports ecosystems built around it.
“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 demonstrated the enormous potential of this competition. We owe them an inaugural ENC delivered under the right conditions and at the level this vision deserves.
“Hosting the tournament in Riyadh next year does not change our commitment. We will continue investing in our National Team Partners, working closely with publishers and supporting the national esports ecosystems already taking shape around the competition. The work continues, and our ambition for the ENC remains unchanged.”
The ENC has already generated significant momentum worldwide, with more than 100 countries and territories across every continent securing official partner status. The tournament will bring together elite players from around the world to compete across multiple game titles.
