The first-ever SEA Esports Nation Cup (SNC), an esports tournament designed for national teams, is set to debut in Southeast Asia. The Vietnam Recreational and Electronic Sports Association (VIRESA) will host the inaugural event in TP HCM on 8/5 and 9/5, as part of Vietnam GameVerse 2026. The Southeast Asian Esports Federation (SEAEF) initiated the tournament, collaborating with regional member federations to foster a structured and unified esports landscape. The competition will feature 5 disciplines and 9 medal events, including: PUBG Mobile, Teamfight Tactics, Crossfire Legends, Total Football, and Audition, with teams competing for a total prize pool of 41,000 USD, equivalent to over 1 billion VND.

Do Viet Hung, President of SEAEF and VIRESA, stated that SNC will establish a long-term development platform for esports in Southeast Asia. He emphasized, "This is a step for the region to, for the first time, shape esports with structure, standards, international voice, and long-term development." The tournament is expected to help define the development roadmap for esports from regional to continental and global levels, complementing major sporting events like the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) and the Asian Games (ASIAD). The event is slated to become an annual fixture.

Vietnam won an esports gold medal in Arena of Valor for the women's national team at SEA Games 33 in Thailand on 16/12/2025. *Photo: VIRESA*

Before the SNC, the SEA Games served as the primary international stage for national esports teams. Esports was first introduced as a medal event at the SEA Games in 2019 in the Philippines, featuring 7 disciplines. By 12/2025, the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand included 6 medal disciplines and 4 exhibition events.

Hieu Luong