UNITED STATES — March 25, 2026 — The United States Esports Federation (USEF.gg) and USA Esports (www.usaesports.us) today announced they are combining their efforts under the USA Esports banner to represent the United States at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), scheduled for November 2 - 29, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Esports Nations Cup

The Esports Nations Cup is an international multi-title esports tournament organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation, a nonprofit based in Riyadh. The inaugural edition will take place from November 2 - 29, 2026, as part of a four-week esports festival featuring national teams from seven global regions – North America, South America, Europe, MENA, Africa, Asia, and Southeast Asia & Oceania.  With 16 titles and athletes from more than 120 nations, the ENC aims to promote permanent national team structures and integrate country-based competition into the global esports calendar.  Future editions will rotate to host cities worldwide.

Combining Forces

USEF.gg and USA Esports recognized the value of aligning their efforts ahead of the ENC, and their teams have been working together to support the United States’ participation at the event. Since 2018, USEF.gg has been sending teams to international competitions via its relationships with the Global Esports Federation and the International Esports Federation.  USA Esports was established in 2025 to organize and grow esports across all levels in the U.S. With the support of those who built USEF.gg, USA Esports plans to build on the foundation USEF.gg helped to develop to further expand and strengthen America’s esports ecosystem and its international competitive presence.

Leadership Perspectives

“Aligning with USEF.gg is a natural step as we work to build a more coordinated American esports ecosystem. The Esports Nations Cup is an opportunity for the United States to participate in international competition alongside many other nations, and we’re glad to be doing that alongside an organization that has years of experience in this space.”

— Jesse Bodony, President & CEO, USA Esports

“USEF.gg has spent years building international relationships and competitive pathways for American esports athletes. Collaborating with USA Esports for the Esports Nations Cup allows us to bring that experience together with their growing  alliance of supporting professional teams, universities, and community programs.”

— Dr. Clint Kennedy, Managing Director, United States Esports Federation

About USA Esports

USA Esports is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established to serve as an independent, sustainable representative body for esports in the United States. USA Esports works collaboratively with stakeholders to advance the full pipeline of esports competition in the United States. For more information, visit www.usaesports.us.

About the United States Esports Federation

The United States Esports Federation, the competition arm of NASEF (Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations), has been a member organization of the International Esports Federation (IESF) since 2018, is a member of the Global Esports Federation (GEF), and has a partnership with the Asian Electronic Esports Federation (AESF). For more information, visit USEF.gg.

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