Esports Nations Cup postponed to November 2027

The Esports Foundation has postponed the Esports Nations Cup, originally scheduled for Nov. 10–15 in Riyadh, until November 2027. The organization cited an ongoing assessment of the wider regional situation and uncertainty in the area.

The foundation’s announcement did not name a new host city or a revised timetable. It said stakeholders will be contacted in the coming weeks to provide clarity on the competition calendar, qualification pathways and other implications of the new timeline, suggesting a fresh qualification process may be required for teams and players.

The announcement included a quote from Ralf Reichert, chief executive of the Esports Foundation: “The decision to postpone the Esports Nations Cup was not taken lightly. 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.”

Organizers had planned the Nations Cup as an inaugural national team competition. The foundation did not say whether the event will remain linked to the original host country when it is held in 2027 or whether a new bidding or selection process will determine a future venue.

The postponement follows changes to other major regional events. The Esports World Cup, originally due in Riyadh in 2026, was relocated to Paris after conflict in Iran affected regional stability and logistics for international competitions.

National federations, publishers and players awaiting qualification information were told they will receive further communications. The foundation did not set deadlines for new qualification windows or selection criteria but said additional details would be provided to partners and participants in the weeks ahead.