The Esports World Cup Foundation continues its announcements at the start of the year by unveiling this Thursday
the financial framework of the
Esports Nations Cup 2026. Scheduled to take place in Riyadh from November 2 to 29, 2026, this unprecedented competition centered on national teams will feature a
total prize envelope of 45 million dollars. The objective is to help build a sustainable ecosystem by simultaneously supporting players, clubs, and
national federations that will take part in the event.
5 million dollars for professional clubs
This amount is structured around three main pillars. First, 20 million dollars will be allocated directly to the prize pool for athletes and their coaches across sixteen disciplines. Of the remaining 25 million dollars, 20 million will be dedicated to a development fund designed to cover logistical costs, operations, and marketing for national delegations. Finally, a 5 million dollar allocation is reserved for professional clubs, aimed at encouraging them to release their talent for the tournament and compensating for the availability of players under contract.
This is a key point for the competition, as it underlines the EWCF’s intention to attract the very best players in the world to the event, whereas similar nation-based tournaments in the past have often only managed to field secondary lineups at best. It is also worth noting that the event will take place in November 2026, a transfer period for many games, which could further complicate player availability for reasons unrelated to the competition itself.
“Clubs are the cultural backbone of esports"
The ENC also announced that it will rely on an equity-based remuneration model. At equal placement, earnings per player will be identical whether the discipline is played solo or as part of a team. Each world champion will therefore receive 50,000 dollars, while silver and bronze medalists will earn 30,000 and 15,000 dollars, respectively. To strengthen ties with private organizations, clubs will receive a financial incentive equivalent to 40 percent of their players’ winnings if they reach the Top 16 in their respective category.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, sees this format as a necessary evolution for the industry. “National teams bring a powerful new layer to esports, one that is accessible, intuitive, and rooted in identity and pride,” he said. Emphasizing the importance of synergy between nations and private organizations, he added: “Clubs are the cultural backbone of esports. Nation-based competition expands the stage, creates new rivalries, and gives more fans a reason to care from day one.”
