NODWIN Gaming Appointed as India's National Team Partner for Esports Nations Cup 2026
NODWIN Gaming Takes the Lead
On Friday, the Esports Foundation (EF) announced that NODWIN Gaming, a prominent player in the gaming and esports sector, has been designated as India's official National Team Partner for the upcoming Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC). This global competition is set to take place in Riyadh from November 2 to 29, 2026.
Role of NODWIN Gaming
NODWIN Gaming's appointment underscores its significant contributions to India's esports landscape over the past decade. The organization has been instrumental in organizing national tournaments, managing publisher-led events, and fostering connections among players, creators, and industry partners.
Leading India's Esports Representation
As the National Team Partner, NODWIN Gaming will lead the formation of the national team, engage grassroots and competitive communities, assist coaches across various games, and collaborate with publishers and clubs to create pathways for Indian players to compete internationally.
Nimish Raut, Global Head of Esports: Partnerships & Special Projects at NODWIN Gaming, stated, "The Esports Nations Cup signifies a pivotal change in the global competitive gaming landscape. For India, this is a transformative opportunity. Our country boasts one of the largest and most enthusiastic gaming communities, yet there has been no unified pathway for players to represent India globally. Our goal is to establish this structure, nurture talent across different titles, and create an environment that allows Indian players to excel at the highest levels. We are eager to collaborate with the EF to foster growth in Indian esports and lay a sustainable foundation for the future."
Global Esports Framework
NODWIN Gaming joins a network of National Team Partners from over 100 countries as part of the ENC's partnership-driven model for national team development. The Esports Foundation received over 630 applications from 150 nations, highlighting the global interest in nation-based esports. The complete list of National Team Partners can be found on the ENC website and will be updated as new partnerships are confirmed.
Strengthening National Esports
The Esports Nations Cup aims to establish a structured global framework for national teams, adding a new dimension to the esports ecosystem alongside club competitions. The ENC is designed to work with local stakeholders to enhance connections, promote participation, and support long-term national development.
Hans Jagnow, Director of Special Projects at the Esports Foundation, remarked, "India is home to a vibrant esports community, poised to become a significant force in the global esports arena. NODWIN Gaming has played a crucial role in developing this community, making them the ideal partner to unite the ENC National Team for India and instill national pride among players competing in Riyadh."
Building on Established Success
Last year, NODWIN Gaming collaborated with the EWCF to manage media rights sales for the Esports World Cup in South Asia and partnered with Chess.com and ChessBase India to advance chess esports in India, coinciding with chess's inclusion in the inaugural ENC. With a solid foundation in community engagement, content creation, and large-scale event management, NODWIN Gaming is well-equipped to enhance talent development, fan interaction, and international competitiveness as part of ENC 2026.
Esports Nations Cup 2026 Overview
The ENC 2026 is backed by a substantial investment of $45 million (approximately INR 414 crore), which includes $20 million (around INR 184 crore) allocated for player and coach prize money across 16 titles, $5 million (approximately INR 46 crore) for club incentives, and $20 million (around INR 184 crore) dedicated to national team development. The tournament will implement a placement-based prize structure with equal payouts across all titles, where first place will receive $50,000 (approximately INR 46 lakh), second place $30,000 (around INR 28 lakh), and third place $15,000 (approximately INR 14 lakh), with payouts scaling for team-based titles.
Featured Game Titles
The tournament will showcase a variety of games, including Chess, PUBG Mobile, Rocket League, DOTA 2, VALORANT, Counter-Strike 2, PUBG: Battlegrounds, Fatal Fury, League of Legends, Trackmania, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, EA SPORTS FC 26, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Honour of Kings, and Apex Legends.
The ENC will commence in Riyadh in November 2026 and will adopt a rotating city model for future events. This biennial competition will complement the annual Club-based Esports World Cup (EWC), providing a stable framework for players and long-term investment in national team initiatives.