Chess in the Esports Nations Cup

by ChessBase
2/9/2026 – Chess is set to take the global stage at the Esports Nations Cup: 128 players representing their nation will compete in one of the largest international Chess competitions ever. The The inaugural event will consist of 128 players competing in a round-robin group stage, featuring 16 groups of eight players. It is set to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 through 29, 2026.
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The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced Chess as the latest of 16 titles that national teams and players will compete in at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), set to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 through 29, 2026. Chess at ENC 2026 will field an unprecedented number of competitors, allowing new talents and underrepresented nations to compete on a major stage as the historically significant game grows into a bigger and bigger esport.

Here’s everything you need to know about Chess at ENC 2026:

Schedule and Format

  • The Chess tournament at ENC will begin on November 2, 2026, and will conclude with the playoff final on November 8, 2026.
  • The opening portion of the tournament will consist of 128 players competing in a round-robin group stage, featuring 16 groups of eight players.
  • The top four players from each group will advance to the next stage.
  • The second stage will consist of 64 players competing in a single-elimination playoff bracket.
  • All group stage matches will be best-of-two. All Round of 64 and 32 matches will be best-of-two, while the quarterfinals and beyond will be best-of-four.
  • Armageddon games will be used as tie-breakers.
  • The event will be played in a Rapid 10+0 time control format. 

Ranking System and Qualifier Info

128 players representing their respective nation will compete in the Chess event at ENC 2026:

  • 64 players from 64 nations will be directly invited based on the official Champions Chess Tour (CCT) rankings
  • 56 players will qualify through regional qualifiers
  • 8 players will come from Wildcard slots

The Esports Nations Cup will determine its direct invites via the official CCT rankings, limited to one player per nation. The Titled Tuesday Spring Split will be used as an additional tie-breaker should there not be 64 unique nations featured in the CCT rankings. The cut-off date for determining direct invites to ENC 2026 is May 26, 2026.

Chess will feature two regional qualifiers in each region, taking place on June 6-7 and June 13-14. Each Qualifier will consist of two stages; a Swiss stage and a double-elimination stage, with four players from each qualifier making it to ENC, giving a total of eight players per region. Qualifiers will be operated by Chess.com, and hosted in each of the following regions:

  • North America (8 slots)
  • South America (8)
  • Africa (8)
  • Western Europe (8)
  • Eastern Europe (8)
  • Middle East + India + Central Asia (8)
  • East Asia + Southeast Asia + Oceania (8)

Every nation can have up to two representatives at the event. Should a nation have a player directly invited through the rankings, only one more player from that nation can make it through the regional qualifier. Nations without a direct invite can still have two players qualify online. 

Chess at the Esports World Cup

Chess grabbed the spotlight at its Esports World Cup debut in 2025, solidifying the rise of the new digital era for the world’s oldest and most beloved games. Fans of both esports and chess had never experienced an event like this before, and were captivated throughout as the intense action played out. The most accomplished players and biggest names collided in the playoffs, with the game’s biggest star in Magnus Carlsen (Norway) claiming the inaugural Chess at EWC championship on behalf of Team Liquid.

In total, 20 nations were represented across the Chess main event and Last Chance Qualifier in Riyadh at EWC 2025.

Additional information about the Esports Nations Cup will be released in the coming weeks. To stay up to date, visit esportsnationscup.com, and follow ENC on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, and follow the Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn.

About the Esports Nations Cup

The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is a biennial global esports competition created by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) that brings national pride to the world stage. Launching in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2026, the ENC will feature the world’s best players competing not for their clubs, but for their countries and territories, across a lineup of leading esports titles. Built in collaboration with game partners, clubs, and esports organizations, the ENC establishes the first recurring, large-scale platform for national teams in esports. Beyond competition, it aims to fuel fandom, inspire heroes, and provide sustainable pathways for nations, players, and partners to grow within the global esports ecosystem. esportsnationscup.com.

About Esports World Cup Foundation

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) is a non-profit organization based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, dedicated to advancing and professionalizing the global esports industry. Through the annual Esports World Cup (EWC) and the biennial Esports Nations Cup (ENC), EWCF brings together the world’s top players, leading clubs, and millions of fans for the biggest stages in competitive gaming. Beyond hosting tournaments, the Foundation works year-round to grow the esports ecosystem, support talent development, and create lasting opportunities for players, teams, and partners worldwide.

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