$45 Million Secured for 2026 Esports Nations Cup

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced a significant investment of $45 million USD to support players, clubs, and national teams participating in the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026.

This funding will be allocated across three main areas, starting with $20 million designated as prize money for players and coaches competing in 16 different titles. The Nations Cup will also implement a “placement-based prize framework” applicable to all games.

Additionally, around $5 million will be set aside for “club incentives,” rewarding professional esports organizations that allow their players to compete in the Nations Cup. The rewards will be directly linked to player performance during the event. For instance, if a club has three players who secure first place (earning $50,000 each for a total of $150,000), that club would receive a 40% incentive bonus of $60,000.

The remaining $20 million will support the previously announced ENC Development Fund, which aims to assist official national team partners with various expenses related to the event, including logistics, travel, program operations, marketing, and long-term growth strategies.

So far, EWCF has revealed the first three titles for the competition: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Trackmania, and Dota 2, with more titles expected to be announced in the coming weeks and months.

The Esports Nations Cup was formally introduced in August 2025 during the New Global Sport Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, serving as a substitute for the Esports Olympic Games, which Saudi Arabia withdrew from last year due to disagreements with the International Olympic Committee.

Organizations linked to the Saudi Arabian government, such as the Esports World Cup Foundation and the Esports Nations Cup, have faced accusations of engaging in “sports washing,” using sports and entertainment to distract from their human rights record, including issues related to women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and military actions in Yemen. These concerns are frequently raised by international watchdog groups.