Esports Nations Cup 2027

What is Esports Nations Cup 2027

ENC is the first ever analogue of the esports Olympics, where the best players will compete in 16 esports disciplines and represent their national teams, rather than professional clubs.

Due to the tense situation in the Middle East, the organizers (Esports Foundation) have postponed this large-scale event from November 2026 to November 2027. The tournament, as previously planned, will take place in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. 32 countries will compete for a prize fund of $1.5 million.

The rating of each national team directly depends on the players in its roster, and the key difference from other professional events is the importance of coaches – they are the ones who form national squads.

"For the first time in Dota 2, players don't fight for the Aegis or prize money – they compete for their nations"

Why Esports Nations Cup Matters

The first tournament of the Esports Nations Cup series opens a new page in the history of both Dota 2 and esports in general. For more than a decade, players and teams have been competing only at the club level, and their goal was to succeed at the main tournaments of the year – The International and Esports World Cup.

This time, the main motivation of the players will not be winning the legendary Aegis of Champions or a significant amount of prize money, but the opportunity to represent their country on the international stage. We will witness the emergence of new rivalries and matches that we could not even dream of before: USA vs China, Ukraine vs Denmark and many more interesting games.

ENC organizers launched cooperation with 100 partner countries (National Team Partners) in all types of esports even before the start of the first tournament, so it is safe to say that the world is waiting for this large-scale event in November 2027.