The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2/11 to 29/11. This major tournament features 16 esports titles, including: Dota 2, Rocket League, chess, PUBG Mobile, Valorant, Counter Strike 2, PUBG Battlegrounds, Fatal Fury, EA Sports FC, Rainbow Six Siege, Street Fighter 6, Trackmania, League of Legends (LoL), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), Honor of Kings, and Apex Legends.

The ENC boasts a substantial prize pool of 45 million USD, equivalent to approximately 1.900 billion VND, ranking second only to the Esports World Cup (EWC). Of this, 20 million USD will be directly awarded to players and coaches based on their performance. An additional 5 million USD is allocated to the players' respective clubs, while 20 million USD is earmarked for investment in local ecosystem development, covering travel expenses and supporting national team activities.

The Vietnam team won PUBG Mobile at the 2026 Asian Esports Games in Jinju, South Korea. Photo: VIRESA.

The largest individual prize pools, each totaling 1,5 million USD, are designated for Dota 2, Valorant, League of Legends, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Each participating player is guaranteed a minimum of 3,500 USD, with the runner-up receiving 30,000 USD and the champion taking home 50,000 USD.

Organized by the Esports Foundation, the ENC serves as an expanded and complementary event to the EWC. The tournament is designed to provide a stable structure for players and guide long-term investment into national team programs. It focuses on teams from five key regions: North America, South America, North Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Teams will compete in qualifying rounds to secure their spots in the finals, scheduled for November in Saudi Arabia.

Adopting a global national team model, the organizers have appointed over 700 coaches from more than 100 countries and territories for the tournament. These coaches were selected from 90 leading esports organizations worldwide, including world champions, established names, and rising stars. They are tasked with building team rosters and formulating strategic approaches for the competition.

For Vietnam's League of Legends team, the squad will be led by Vo "Naul" Thanh Luan, a renowned former player with GAM Esports. Thanh Luan is set to compete against prominent figures such as veteran LEC and G2 Esports coach Dylan Falco from Canada, as well as emerging talents like Quentin "Zeph" Viguei (France) and Jonas "Memento" Elmarghichi (Morocco).

In Vietnam's strong title, PUBG Mobile, the coaching responsibility has been entrusted to Le "DjChip" Duc Anh, who was the runner-up at the PUBG Nations Cup 2022. He will face several female coaches, including Camila "Mia" Lopez (Chile) and Nikol "Kehayoyo" Kehayova (Poland).

Other Vietnamese teams will see John "Theo" Eusebio leading the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang squad, while Duong "Titi" Tin and Phan "Kawa" Anh Huy will oversee Honor of Kings and Valorant, respectively.

As a national partner of the Esports Foundation, the Vietnam Recreational and Electronic Sports Association (VIRESA) holds primary responsibility for the Vietnamese teams participating in the ENC. According to VIRESA Secretary General Cao Thi Thu Phuong, the ENC presents an excellent opportunity for Vietnam to further standardize its professional level and systematically develop its national team framework, aligning with practical realities.

The Esports Foundation recognizes Vietnam as one of the most dynamic esports markets globally. Over the past few years, Vietnam has emerged as a promising market with a passionate and influential fanbase, contributing positively to the global ecosystem. Hans Jagnow, Director of National Team Relations, stated: "This growth is attributed to Vietnam's young, digitally savvy population, its strength in mobile gaming, and a deep passion for traditional titles, notably League of Legends."

With 15 years of experience in the esports industry, VIRESA Secretary General Thu Phuong believes that 2025 will mark a distinct shift in Vietnam's esports landscape, both in terms of performance and media visibility, thanks to strong State support. The year 2026 is expected to signify a gradual transition towards a more professional, systematic, and structured approach.

Furthermore, esports is viewed as a crucial growth driver as Vietnam aims to boost its sports economy. Ms. Phuong noted, "Depending on various sources and measurement methodologies, the esports market value is projected to reach 10 million USD and is expected to continue growing in the coming years."

By Hieu Luong