SAGES Africa, Esports Foundation Rally ENC Teams for Riyadh 2026

SAGES Africa and the Esports Foundation launched the Africa at ENC campaign to coordinate African national esports teams for the Esports Nations Cup in Riyadh in November 2026. Registration for national rosters closes May 10 and is open to community leaders in countries without established National Team Partners.

The registration covers nine core team titles, including PUBG: Mobile, VALORANT, League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Rainbow Six Siege. Solo competitions such as EA Sports FC, Street Fighter 6 and Trackmania will be filled through open qualifiers.

The Esports Nations Cup uses a nation-vs-nation format rather than a club-based model. The Esports Foundation has set up a $20 million ENC Development Fund to help cover travel, training and operational costs for participating countries.

Organizers say the campaign aims to replace ad-hoc entries with structured national teams and to present a coordinated African presence at the global event. They say coordinated entries can attract sponsors and investors and create roles for players, coaches, analysts, broadcasters and developers.

SAGES Africa’s mobilization drive is led by Désiré Koussawo. The campaign follows regional steps toward professionalization, including measures to open access for African players to Evo France 2025, and is positioned as a pathway from local communities to ENC qualifiers and the Riyadh Esports finals.

Nation teams that do not have an established National Team Partner can submit rosters directly through the campaign registration. After the May 10 deadline, teams will enter a qualifier process aligned to each title’s format: team titles will move through national and regional qualifiers, while solo titles will be decided in open qualification events.

“Africa is no longer asking for a seat at the table — it is claiming its place,” the campaign statement read. The statement added that coordinated participation creates opportunities for players, coaches, analysts, broadcasters and developers.

Organizers and partners expect the campaign to improve visibility and credibility for African teams and to make it easier for federations, sponsors and investors to identify and support talent across the continent.