EWCF Commits $45 Million for ENC
EWCF Commits $45 Million to Players, Clubs, National Teams for ENC
The Esports World Cup Foundation has confirmed a $45 million funding commitment for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026, outlining the competition’s prize model and ecosystem support ahead of its debut later this year.
The Esports Nations Cup will run from November 2 to 29, 2026, in Riyadh, introducing a nation-based format to the global esports calendar. The event is positioned as a complement to the club-focused Esports World Cup, giving players the opportunity to compete under national banners.
Distribution to players, clubs, and NTs
EWCF said the $45 million commitment will be distributed through a three-part structure designed to support players, clubs, and national team programs across 16 game titles.
Of the total funding, $20 million will be allocated as prize money paid directly to players and coaches. Another $5 million will be distributed as club incentives for organizations that release their professional players to compete at the ENC, with incentives tied to player performance during the event.
The remaining $20 million will be delivered through the previously announced ENC Development Fund, which supports official national team partners with logistics, travel, program operations, marketing, and long-term pathway development.
EWCF CEO Ralf Reichert said the initiative is designed to introduce national identity into top-level esports while maintaining sustainability across the ecosystem.
“National teams bring a powerful new layer to esports, one that is accessible, intuitive, and rooted in identity and pride,” Reichert said. “Our prize model is designed to keep competition fair and sustainable, rewarding performance while supporting the long-term development of players, Clubs, and national programs.”
Guaranteed money for participants
The Esports Nations Cup will implement a placement-based prize framework applied uniformly across all titles.
Every qualified participant will receive prize money and is guaranteed a minimum of three matches. Players and coaches will receive equal pay for equal placements across all games, regardless of title.
Under the model, first-place finishers will earn $50,000 per player, second place will receive $30,000, and third place will earn $15,000 per player. For team-based titles, payouts will scale based on roster size, while maintaining consistent per-player compensation.
More titles to follow
EWCF also confirmed that the Esports Nations Cup will operate on a biennial schedule and transition to a rotating host-city model after its Riyadh debut, with the goal of providing long-term stability for national team programs and partners.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Trackmania, and Dota 2 have already been confirmed as part of the ENC 2026 lineup, with additional titles expected to be announced in the coming days.
Further details regarding participating nations, qualification pathways, and the full game lineup will be released in the weeks ahead.