Esports Nations Cup 2026 Finalizes 16-Game Lineup With Street Fighter 6 Team Event

The nation-based event channels $45 million into equal per-person payouts to grow formal pathways from local qualifiers to national teams.

Overview

The Esports Foundation confirmed the full 16-title roster for the Riyadh tournament, naming Street Fighter 6 as the final pick with a 4v4 Team Battle format.
Street Fighter 6 competition will feature 24 national squads in group matches played as best-of-four followed by single-elimination knockouts scheduled for November 18–22, 2026.
The inaugural Esports Nations Cup takes place November 2–29, 2026 in Riyadh, bringing country teams together across shooters, MOBAs, sports, racing, fighting games, and chess.
The organizers committed $45 million with a $20 million purse paid directly to players and coaches using equal per-person awards that pay $50,000 for first, $30,000 for second, and $15,000 for third.
Organizers expect qualifiers in about 100 markets to draw more than 100,000 hopefuls, with NODWIN Gaming appointed to run India’s program as the National Team Partner.