VALORANT is officially part of the Esports Nations Cup 2026 line-up, with 32 national teams set to compete under their country’s flag this November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The announcement confirms that Riot Games’ tactical shooter will feature in the inaugural edition of the nation-based tournament, adding another major event to the global competitive calendar.
Every ability counts when the pride of your nation is on the line. @ValorantEsports arrives at the Esports Nations Cup this November. Show us which team you are standing with! pic.twitter.com/FnjZE7fAlm
— Esports Nations Cup (@ENC_EN) February 20, 2026
The event will run from November 8 to November 15, 2026, and marks a shift from the usual organisation-focused structure seen in the VALORANT Champions Tour. This time, players won’t be representing clubs, they’ll be representing their countries.
Event Details And Tournament Format
The VALORANT Esports Nations Cup event will begin with a 32-team round-robin Group Stage. Teams will be divided into four groups of eight, with all Group Stage matches played as best-of-one series.
From there, the top four nations in each group will advance to a 16-team single-elimination Playoff bracket. Playoff matches will be best-of-three, except for the Grand Final, which will be played as a best-of-five to crown the champion.
The structure keeps the early stage fast and volatile, while allowing more room for depth and adaptation once the knockout rounds begin.
How National Teams Qualify
Qualification for the VALORANT Esports Nations Cup will be split across direct invites, regional qualifiers and wildcard slots.
Sixteen of the 32 spots will be awarded through a newly created VALORANT National Team Rankings system. According to organisers, this ranking will calculate individual player achievements in regional and international VALORANT Champions Tour competitions. Points earned at these events will be split equally across teammates who competed.
A nation’s ranking will then be determined by adding up the points of the top five players on its submitted national roster. The cut-off date for rankings has been set as June 21, 2026.
For countries that miss out on direct qualification, there will be 14 additional slots available through regional online qualifiers. Seven regions will each award two places via double-elimination brackets:
- North America
- South America
- Western Europe
- Eastern Europe
- Middle East and North Africa
- Asia
- Southeast Asia and Oceania
The regional qualifiers are scheduled to take place from June 26 to June 28, 2026.
Two wildcard slots will also be distributed, though organisers have yet to clarify how those positions will be decided. Further rules around national roster selection are expected to be announced closer to the event.
Esports Nations Cup 2026 Prize Pool And Titles
VALORANT becomes one of 16 titles confirmed for the debut edition of the Esports Nations Cup. Other announced games include Apex Legends, PUBG, Dota 2, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Chess, with the remaining titles still to be revealed.
The overall Esports Nations Cup 2026 will feature a $20 million prize pool distributed across competing nations. In addition, a $20 million ENC Development Fund has been established to support regional growth, alongside a further $5 million allocated to organisations that release players to represent their countries.
That financial backing signals serious intent from organisers to position the Esports Nations Cup as a long-term, multi-title international fixture rather than a one-off showcase.
Riyadh Hosting And Community Reaction
The inaugural Esports Nations Cup will take place in Riyadh, the same city that hosts the Esports World Cup. While the scale and investment are significant, events held in Saudi Arabia have previously drawn criticism from parts of the esports community due to the country’s human rights record.
In 2025, when VALORANT featured as part of the organisation-based Esports World Cup, several prominent figures within the scene publicly expressed concerns. With national teams now involved, similar discussions are likely to resurface as the event approaches.
At the same time, the concept of country-versus-country competition introduces a different layer of pride and rivalry that could resonate strongly with fans. An official social post from the Esports Nations Cup teased the idea directly, stating that every ability counts when the pride of your nation is on the line.
A New Layer To International VALORANT
Nation-based esports events are rare in VALORANT compared to traditional club competition. With 32 teams, a ranking-driven invite system and regional qualifiers feeding into a global stage, the Esports Nations Cup 2026 adds a fresh format to an already packed competitive ecosystem.
More details, particularly around wildcard allocation and final roster rules, are expected in the coming months. For now, one thing is clear: VALORANT is heading into November 2026 with national pride on the line.