The Esports Nations Cup (ENC), the Esports World Cup Foundation’s international competition, has announced today (Thursday, Jan. 29) that it will commit a total of $45 million USD to support players, clubs, and national teams during its 2026 event.
The announcement, revealed by release and social post, expanded on the already announced $20 million USD development fund which has been put forth for national teams to support national ecosystem development.
On top of the $20 million for national team development, $20 million will reportedly be allocated to prize pools for individual games. This will ensure that first-place awards for players include $50,000 per player, second-place, $30,000, and third-place, $15,000.
These amounts will be spread equally among team and single sports. The release clarified “payouts scale with the roster size, so the result is consistent and transparent for everyone competing”
Image Credit: Esports Nations Cup
The final $5 million of that $45 million USD figure will be dedicated to “club incentive fees.” These fees will reportedly be given to non-national esports teams to release their players for the duration of the ENC.
“If a Club fields a player that places Top 16, that Club is eligible for an incentive bonus equal to 40% of that player’s earnings.
For example, if a Club fields three players that finish first place ($50,000 x 3 = $150,000) at ENC 2026, that Club would earn a 40% incentive bonus of $60,000.”
It’s unknown how much of the $5 million amount is already incorporated into the up to $20,000 USD of incentive fees previously announced for National Team Partners.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation commented on the announced figure.
“National teams bring a powerful new layer to esports, one that is accessible, intuitive, and rooted in identity and pride. 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. 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.”
The ENC is set to take place from Nov. 2 until Nov. 29, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Trackmania, Dota 2 have already been confirmed for ENC 2026, with additional titles reportedly to be announced in the coming days.
The ENC is an initiative by the Esports World Cup Foundation, a non-profit organization established and funded by the Saudi Arabian government. The KSA’s government frequently faces criticism for its abysmal human rights record and the ENC and events like it are often referred to as “sports washing.”
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Featured Image Credit: EWCF
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