Chess Joins the Esports Nations Cup 2026 Lineup in Riyadh

Chess Joins the Esports Nations Cup 2026 Lineup

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – In a groundbreaking announcement, the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) revealed on Sunday that chess will be one of the 16 titles featured at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC). Set to take place in Riyadh from November 2 to 29, this event promises to elevate the profile of chess within the rapidly growing esports arena.

The chess tournament will kick off on November 2, culminating in an exciting playoff final on November 8. The competition will see 128 players engage in a round-robin group stage, divided into 16 groups of eight. The top four players from each group will advance to the knockout rounds, where the stakes will rise significantly.

Matches during the group stage will be played in a best-of-two format, while the Round of 64 and Round of 32 will also follow suit. As the tournament progresses to the quarterfinals and beyond, the format will shift to best-of-four matches, with Armageddon games serving as tie-breakers when necessary. All games will be played under a Rapid 10+0 time control format, ensuring fast-paced and thrilling action.

A total of 64 players will be directly invited based on their standings in the official Champions Chess Tour (CCT) rankings, while an additional 56 players will qualify through regional qualifiers. Wildcards will also be awarded, allowing for a diverse representation of talent from around the globe. Each nation can send up to two representatives to compete.

Regional qualifiers are set to take place on June 6-7 and June 13-14, with Chess.com overseeing the events. Each qualifier will consist of a Swiss stage followed by a double-elimination stage, with four players from each qualifier making it to the ENC. This structure ensures that players from North America, South America, Africa, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, India, Central Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania will have a fair shot at competing on the world stage.

Indian chess star Arjun Erigaisi expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “Playing for Gen. G at the Esports World Cup was a great experience for me. The energy there was amazing and unlike any chess tournament I’ve played before. It’s really exciting to see chess becoming part of the esports world and reaching so many new people. I’m looking forward to the Esports Nations Cup and can’t wait to start competing again.”

As the ENC gears up for its debut, the inclusion of chess marks a significant milestone in the evolution of esports, bridging traditional games with modern competitive formats. With a blend of strategy, skill, and speed, the chess tournament is poised to captivate audiences and players alike, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience in Riyadh this November.