Esports Nations Cup 2026: NODWIN Gaming Named India's National Team Partner

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The Esports Foundation appointed NODWIN Gaming as India’s National Team Partner for the Esports Nations Cup 2026. The nation-based tournament is set to debut in Riyadh from November 2–29, 2026. NODWIN Gaming is expected to handle national team planning and support systems for Indian players.

The appointment, announced on March 26, 2026, placed NODWIN Gaming in charge of building India’s route into ENC 2026. The company is set to lead team formation across games. It is also tasked with linking grassroots groups and top competitive circuits into one pathway.

As India’s National Team Partner, NODWIN Gaming is set to mobilise community networks and competitive talent pools. The role includes supporting coaches across game titles. NODWIN Gaming is also expected to work with publishers, Clubs, and other stakeholders. The aim is a clear route for global representation.

"The Esports Nations Cup represents a defining shift in how competitive gaming is structured globally, and for a country like India, this is a truly transformative opportunity. We have one of the largest and most passionate gaming communities in the world, but until now, there hasn’t been a unified pathway for players to represent the country on a global stage.

"As the National Team Partner, our focus will be on building that structure from the ground up, identifying and nurturing talent across titles, and creating a high-performance environment that enables Indian players to compete at the highest level. We are excited to work closely with the EF to unlock this next phase of growth for Indian esports and establish a sustainable foundation for the future."

NODWIN Gaming joined a wider network of National Team Partners across more than 100 nations. The Esports Foundation said the partner-led system is central to national team development. It received more than 630 applications from 150 countries and territories. The Foundation said more appointments are expected later.

The Esports Nations Cup is designed to sit alongside existing club competitions. Organisers said it added a structured layer for national teams at scale. The model relies on local stakeholders close to each scene. The stated goal is stronger connections, wider access, and long-term national growth.

"India is a country full of passionate esports fans, building up to be a not-so-silent powerhouse of esports on the global stage", said Hans Jagnow, Director, Special Projects, The Esports Foundation.

"NODWIN Gaming has been a key architect of the Indian community and we couldn’t think of anyone better to bring together the ENC National Team for India and spark national pride for the players competing for a place in Riyadh."

Esports Nations Cup 2026 and NODWIN Gaming track record and recent work

The Esports Foundation pointed to NODWIN Gaming’s event operations in India and overseas markets. It cited large tournaments, original IPs, and partnerships across South Asia and Europe. It also noted last year’s work with the EWCF on South Asia media rights. It also referenced chess esports projects with Chess.com and ChessBase India.

ENC 2026 is backed by a total investment of $45 million (approx INR 414 crore). That pool includes prize funds, Club incentives, and national team development budgets. The Esports Foundation said prizes are placement-based with equal payouts across titles. Team-based games will scale payouts by roster size.

The tournament’s announced games include Chess, PUBG Mobile, Rocket League, DOTA 2, VALORANT, and Counter-Strike 2. Other titles listed are PUBG: Battlegrounds, Fatal Fury, League of Legends, and Trackmania. The list also includes Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, EA SPORTS FC 26, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Honor of Kings, and Apex Legends.

The Esports Nations Cup is set to start in Riyadh in November 2026. Organisers said the event will later move to a rotating city model. The ENC is scheduled as a biennial competition. It is positioned as a counterpart to the annual Club-based Esports World Cup (EWC).

NODWIN Gaming’s appointment placed the company at the centre of India’s ENC 2026 preparation. The Esports Foundation set out a shared plan for pathways, coaching support, and community coordination. ENC 2026 is due to run through November 2–29 in Riyadh. The confirmed funding and game slate outlined the competition’s scale.