The Esports World Cup Foundation is making waves with the announcement of Chess.com, SNK, and MOONTON Games as key publishing partners for the first-ever Esports Nations Cup. This groundbreaking tournament will pit nations against each other across a range of popular games, setting the stage for some truly international esports competition.
The partnership will see these companies developing qualification paths and tournament formats to ensure a consistent global structure for the Esports Nations Cup. This collaboration promises to align well with the players’ interests, offering them a chance to represent their countries internationally in games that define their careers.
Esports Nations Cup’s Continued Expansion
Joining forces with other big names like Electronic Arts, KRAFTON, Tencent, and Ubisoft, Chess.com, SNK, and MOONTON are gearing up for a spectacular event in Riyadh set for November 2026. The tournament will bring together national teams from all around the globe for both team-based and solo competitions. Despite the growing list of publishing partners, the specific games to be featured in the bi-annual tournament remain under wraps.
Concerns linger within the community about Saudi Arabia’s involvement in esports, with some critics labeling it as a form of sportswashing to deflect from its human rights issues. Nonetheless, the excitement surrounding the formation of a country-based esports tournament is undeniable, promising a new chapter in competitive gaming.