Esports Foundation limits ENC 2026 jersey sponsors to sleeve

The Esports Foundation published the commercial framework for national team jerseys at the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026, restricting sponsor placement to a single sleeve and naming Adidas as the exclusive kit provider for all participating delegations.

The policy requires national teams to wear the official Adidas ENC uniform during qualifiers, friendly matches and the main tournament, regardless of any existing apparel agreements.

Mohammed Al Nimer, chief commercial officer at the Esports Foundation, described the sleeve-only rule as a way to keep the front of jerseys clear to preserve national visual identity and cultural elements. He explained sleeve inventory will follow a hybrid sales model in which local National Team Partners may sell sponsorship rights in their territories while the Foundation can sell centrally to multinational brands.

Revenue from sleeve sponsorships will be shared between the Foundation and National Team Partners on a variable basis depending on who originates the sale. Centralised manufacturing and logo-application costs will be deducted from the proceeds.

All sponsorship agreements must comply with game publisher rules and local law. Certain commercial categories, including gambling, will face strict regulation or prohibition. The Foundation will review and approve every deal to ensure brand safety and publisher compliance.

Official ENC jerseys will be distributed through standard sports retail channels, both online and in physical stores, with a retail rollout to be announced in the coming weeks. Individual kit reveals have already started, including the French national team uniform currently on display at the Adidas flagship store on the Champs-Élysées ahead of its retail launch.

Al Nimer added that the design brief prioritises national representation and fan appeal, observing that the Foundation aims to produce uniforms supporters will want to buy and wear.

The framework sets rules on sponsorship categories, revenue sharing and retail distribution in advance of the inaugural ENC in 2026.