The Application Journey

The Esports Nations Cup will follow a globally accepted nations framework from sports, recognizing 200+ eligible countries and territories to compete at ENC. We are accepting applications from all eligible nations which are listed in the application form.

The full list of eligible nations to compete in every game title will be outlined in the respective tournament rule sets, taking publisher requirements into consideration.

Organizations

• Government Entities with mandates for sports or youth development
• National Esports and Sports Federations or Game Industry Associations
• Established Esports Organizations with national reach
• Agencies, Clubs, or NGOs with relevant experience
• Any registered entity with capacity to operate at a national level

Individuals

• Experienced esports professionals (tournament organizers, team managers, coaches)
• Community leaders, influencers or creators with operational esports expertise
• Anyone with deep understanding of their country's esports ecosystem

EWCF explicitly encourages collaborative applications and joint approaches that bring together complementary ecosystem stakeholders at a national level.

The two-phase application process is for ENC26 only, meaning selected National Team Partners and National Team Managers will serve an initial one-year term. Afterwards the process, structure, and partners will be reviewed heading into ENC28.

What are we looking for in general?

• Credibility within your national esports community
• Operational experience (or the ability to build a team with that experience)
• Passion for representing your country or territory on a global stage
• Alignment with the ENC's values of inclusivity, transparency, and sustainability

Applications to Phase 1 closed on January 31, 2026. Any application being submitted afterwards will not be taken into consideration anymore.

If you're shortlisted after Phase 1, you'll be invited to submit additional materials demonstrating your execution capabilities through an interview.

What You Need to Submit:

What Happens in Phase 2:

EWCF conducts deeper verification including:

• Assessment of your understanding of the local esports ecosystem
• Evaluation of your community presence and ability to activate fans
• Review of organizational and operational readiness
• Understanding of demonstrated or planned collaboration between established national stakeholders
• Checks for alignment with publisher standards and ENC integrity requirements

If shortlisted, you will be asked to:

• Provide additional information that supports EWCF in their verification and review process
• Create an in-depth and detailed proposal deck that addresses your overall vision, structure, staff, operational capabilities, national infrastructure and promotional plans to activate your national team at ENC26.

Once selected, you will receive the National Team Partner / Manager legal agreements for a one-year term covering ENC26.

We're evaluating whether you have the basic credentials and capacity to serve as a National Team Partner or Manager. Key Evaluation Criteria:

Legal Setup and Registration

• Are you a properly registered entity with the legal standing to contract and operate?
• Or, if an individual, are you clearly identified and able to enter into agreements?
• Can you legally operate at a country or territory level?

Publisher Standing

• Do you have a clean record with game publishers?
• Have you maintained constructive relationships with the esports industry?
• Are there any conflicts of interest or integrity concerns we need to know about?

Country-Level Representative Profile

• Do you have credible leadership in place?
• Can you demonstrate capability to run day-to-day operations?
• Do you have standing within your national esports community?

Creativity and Short Idea Pitch

• Can you articulate a concise, innovative concept for representing your national team?
• How would you activate fans and build engagement?
• How would you integrate the ENC into your local esports ecosystem?

Understanding of the Local Ecosystem

• Have you made smart title (game) choices for your market?
• Do you have a clear view of your country's / territory’s top talent and potential coaches?
• Do you understand the existing structures (clubs, tournaments, communities) in your country or territory?

Community Presence and Reach

• Do you have authentic audience presence (not just purchased followers)?
• Can you demonstrate the ability to activate fans and partners?
• What channels and platforms can you leverage?

Organizational and Operational Readiness

• Do you have a practical, realistic plan?
• Can you meet ENC standards for logistics, competitive integrity, and player welfare?
• Do you have the resources (people, time, infrastructure) to execute?
• Ability to coordinate multiple ecosystem stakeholders under a coherent national operating model

Ecosystem Collaboration & National Alignment

• Will you build and lead collaborative national structures across the esports and sports ecosystem?
• What’s your national vision with defined roles, responsibilities, and decision-making structure across multiple stakeholders in your ecosystem?
• Do you have any letters of support, MOUs, or documented cooperation with national federations, clubs, creators, agencies, NGOs, or other relevant ecosystem partners?

Required documents and agreements that you will receive and need to sign throughout the process:

• Terms & Conditions: The agreement you accept when submitting your application
• NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement): Protects confidential information shared during the selection process
• Process Agreement: Outlines the rules and expectations for participating in the selection process
• Privacy Notice: Details about how your data is collected, used, and protected
• License / Service Agreement: Full length agreement for your responsibilities as National Team Partner or National Team Manager respectively.

All legal documents are available for review before you submit your application.