The Esports World Cup Basis (EWCF) has launched the Esports Nations Cup Growth Fund, aiming to assist the expansion of nationwide groups.
The event fund will commit no less than $20m (~£14.8m) yearly, overlaying logistics and promotional occasions to construct consciousness round nationwide esports groups.
Along with this, the fund can even cowl journey for groups competing within the inaugural Esports Nations Cup, alongside supporting the usage of bootcamps.
In addition to this, the EWCF has opened functions for nations thinking about competing to turn out to be Nationwide Group Companions. Chosen nations will likely be accountable for establishing their groups’ identities by means of advertising and marketing and neighborhood engagement efforts to construct a nationwide fandom.
“The aim of the Esports World Cup Basis is to raise esports and make it sustainable,” stated Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Basis. “By opening this software course of, we’re inviting trusted Nationwide Group Companions to assist outline the framework for a way nations and territories are represented in esports with clear roles, aligned governance, and a system that works for gamers, recreation companions, and followers alike.”
Functions to turn out to be a Nationwide Associate Group will shut on January thirty first. Every submission will likely be evaluated based mostly on its standing throughout the esports ecosystem, neighborhood attain, and functionality to function a nationwide group. The primary wave of confirmed companions will likely be revealed in early 2026.
Alongside the applying course of, the ENC has unveiled its 2026 roadmap. Additional particulars surrounding the titles and their respective codecs will likely be shared later this month and into February, with qualifiers set to start in June.
Esports Nations Cup 2026 Particulars
The announcement of the event fund, together with Nationwide Group Companions functions, are the newest initiatives for the 2026 Esports Nations Cup. On January sixth, the EWCF additionally shared preliminary particulars relating to the occasion’s format and qualification course of, which is scheduled to happen this November.
With functions now open for potential nations, the fund gives loads of incentives for these wanting to construct a sustainable nationwide esports group.
