KeSPA, Esports Foundation Settle; Korea to Join ENC 2026

KeSPA and the Esports Foundation resolved a dispute and agreed that KeSPA will act as the National Team Partner and lead selection of the Republic of Korea Esports National Team, allowing South Korea to compete at the Esports Nations Cup 2026.

In a joint statement the organisations confirmed they will continue their partnership for ENC 2026 and that KeSPA will be responsible for selecting and managing Korea’s national esports delegation. The statement said national coaches and players will be chosen “with professional integrity, in accordance with the partners’ regulations and competition standards,” and that the team will participate under the official “Team Korea of Esports” banner.

The disagreement began in April when KeSPA accused ENC organisers of interfering in roster selection and withdrew from the event. The Esports Foundation responded that the collaboration would not continue, citing a demanding 2026 schedule for KeSPA because of Asian Games commitments. The foundation then planned to contact other Korean stakeholders to form a delegation without KeSPA. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee raised concerns because only teams selected through official national channels may use the South Korean flag and the Team Korea name in international competition.

The new agreement reasserts KeSPA’s authority to oversee the official national team and aligns both parties on operational standards and team structure. The joint statement highlighted KeSPA’s experience and leadership in Korean esports and said the partnership aims to give South Korea’s most talented players the opportunity to compete on the global stage.

The Esports Nations Cup is a newly developed global competition organised with game publishers and international stakeholders across more than 100 countries and territories. Both organisations expressed support for Korea’s participation at ENC 2026 and for compliance with national representation rules that allow the team to use the national flag and name at the tournament.