The Esports Nations Cup, originally scheduled for November 10-15, 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been postponed to November 2027 — with specific new dates not announced. HLTV reported the postponement on August 18, citing "uncertainty created by the wider regional situation."
Official statement
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation, in the official announcement:
"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."
Context per HLTV
The postponement follows the Esports World Cup 2026 relocation from Riyadh to Paris earlier this year due to ongoing conflict in Iran.
HLTV also notes that stakeholders will receive information regarding "revised competition calendar, qualification pathways and other implications," suggesting qualification processes may change for the rescheduled event.
