RIYADH — The Esports Foundation has postponed the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC) to November 2027, citing uncertainty surrounding the wider regional situation and the unprecedented international scale of the competition.The foundation said the decision was taken to provide the certainty and stability expected by national teams, publishers, partners and fans as preparations continue for an event bringing together teams and stakeholders from more than 100 countries and territories.It stressed that Saudi Arabia remains fully capable of hosting international events, with major sporting and entertainment events continuing as planned.“The decision reflects our commitment to delivering a world-class international competition that meets the standards and long-term ambition on which the ENC was founded,” the foundation said.It added that the postponement would not affect its commitment to the tournament or the national esports ecosystems being developed around it.Existing ENC Development Fund commitments and related ecosystem initiatives will continue, alongside ongoing work with publishers, National Team Partners and other stakeholders.“The decision to postpone the Esports Nations Cup was not taken lightly,” Esports Foundation CEO Ralf Reichert said.“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 and at the level this idea deserves.”Reichert said holding the tournament in Riyadh next year would not alter the foundation’s commitment to the project, with investment in National Team Partners and collaboration with publishers set to continue.“The work continues, and our ambition for ENC remains unchanged,” he said.The foundation said it would work with National Team Partners, publishers and other stakeholders over the coming weeks to provide further details on the revised competition calendar, qualification pathways and other changes resulting from the postponement.
RIYADH — The Esports Foundation has postponed the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC) to November 2027, citing uncertainty surrounding the wider regional situation and the unprecedented international scale of the competition.The foundation said the decision was taken to provide the certainty and stability expected by national teams, publishers, partners and fans as preparations continue for an event bringing together teams and stakeholders from more than 100 countries and territories.It stressed that Saudi Arabia remains fully capable of hosting international events, with major sporting and entertainment events continuing as planned.“The decision reflects our commitment to delivering a world-class international competition that meets the standards and long-term ambition on which the ENC was founded,” the foundation said.It added that the postponement would not affect its commitment to the tournament or the national esports ecosystems being developed around it.Existing ENC Development Fund commitments and related ecosystem initiatives will continue, alongside ongoing work with publishers, National Team Partners and other stakeholders.“The decision to postpone the Esports Nations Cup was not taken lightly,” Esports Foundation CEO Ralf Reichert said.“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 and at the level this idea deserves.”Reichert said holding the tournament in Riyadh next year would not alter the foundation’s commitment to the project, with investment in National Team Partners and collaboration with publishers set to continue.“The work continues, and our ambition for ENC remains unchanged,” he said.The foundation said it would work with National Team Partners, publishers and other stakeholders over the coming weeks to provide further details on the revised competition calendar, qualification pathways and other changes resulting from the postponement.
