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The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is a biennial, nation-based esports competition organised by the Esports Foundation (EF, formerly the Esports World Cup Foundation), with its inaugural edition held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2–29 November 2026.
The ENC brings together national teams — players competing for their country rather than a club — across 16 game titles. It was announced in August 2025 at the New Global Sport Conference in Riyadh, and complements the club-based Esports World Cup, the Esports Foundation's other flagship event, by adding a nation-first format to the international esports calendar.More than 100 nations are expected to take part, with teams drawn from seven defined regions: North America, South America, Europe, the MENA region, Africa, Asia, and Southeast Asia & Oceania.
Team titles: Apex Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Honor of Kings, League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBG: Battlegrounds, PUBG Mobile, Rocket League, Rainbow Six Siege, Valorant
Individual titles: Chess, EA Sports FC, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, Street Fighter 6, Trackmania.
Most titles are represented through National Team Partners (NTPs) — organisations or individuals appointed by the Esports Foundation to manage a country's national programme, including player selection, logistics and promotion. NTPs can be esports organisations, agencies, national federations, or individuals, depending on the country and title.
Ireland's NTP arrangement for the ENC sits with National Team Manager Ronan Monaghan — see Team Ireland → /team-ireland for the full picture, including how this connects to Ireland Esports Leagues' own competitions.
One exception worth knowing: selection for EA's own titles — Apex Legends and EA Sports FC — runs through EA's own qualifiers or direct invitation, rather than the standard NTP model used for other titles.
The Esports Foundation has committed $45 million to the ENC ecosystem for the inaugural 2026 edition: a $20 million prize pool paid directly to players and coaches, $5 million in Club incentives for esports clubs that release players to compete, and a further $20 million through the ENC Development Fund, which supports National Team Partners with travel, logistics, training camps and national-team promotion.
What is the Esports Nations Cup?
The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is a biennial, nation-based esports competition organised by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), first held in Riyadh from 2–29 November 2026 across 16 game titles.
When and where is the Esports Nations Cup 2026?
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2 to 29 November 2026.
Who is Team Ireland’s Manager at the Esports Nations Cup?
Ronan Monaghan is Team Ireland's National Team Manager for the Esports Nations Cup 2026.Who is Team Ireland's manager at the Esports Nations Cup?
What is Ireland Esports Leagues' role in Team Ireland?
Ireland Esports Leagues develops the domestic competitive pathway — through its Schools, Collegiate and Company Series — that helps Irish talent reach the international stage. IEL supports Team Ireland but does not select or govern the national team.
Is the Esports Nations Cup the same as the Esports World Cup?
No — both are organised by the same body (the Esports Foundation), but the Esports World Cup is a club-based competition, while the Esports Nations Cup is nation-based, with players representing their countries.
Team Ireland represents players from across the island at the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), the biennial, nation-based competition organised by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) and held in Riyadh in November 2026. Team Ireland is led by National Team Manager (NTM) Ronan Monaghan.
Ronan Monaghan also serves as Operations Lead for Ireland Esports Leagues (IEL); his role as National Team Manager is a separate national-team appointment. Ireland Esports Leagues develops the competitive pathway — across its Schools Series, Collegiate Series and Company Series — that helps Irish talent reach the international stage. Ireland Esports Leagues supports
Team Ireland's journey but does not select or govern the national team, which is the responsibility of the National Team Manager.
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