The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has confirmed that the Esports World Cup (EWC) and the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), both to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, remain on schedule, despite the severe geopolitical volatility currently gripping the Middle East. However, the Foundation also disclosed that ‘robust contingency plans’ are in place should regional tensions escalate further.
In an official statement provided to The Esports Radar, the EWCF addressed mounting concerns following this week’s military escalations in Iran and drone incidents reported at neighboring countries in the Gulf.
“EWC and ENC remain on track,” the EWCF stated. “Both events are scheduled several months from now, and preparations are proceeding as planned. At the same time, we are keeping a close watch on the situation and remain in active coordination with relevant authorities.”
With regional airspace experiencing disruptions and international events facing postponements this week, the EWCF emphasized that contingency measures were developed to ensure both competitions will not be heavily affected.
“The safety and well-being of all players, fans, partners, and staff is our priority,” the Foundation continued. “We have robust operational and contingency plans in place and will keep stakeholders informed should circumstances change.”
When asked for specifics on these contingency plans, the EWCF did not indicate that a change of location or date is being considered.
“We have comprehensive operational and contingency planning in place, which is standard for events of this scale. The plans are built with relevant local authorities and key delivery partners and cover a broad range of scenarios, with clear decision-making protocols and escalation paths,” the Foundation stated.
“For safety and security reasons, we don’t publish specific operational measures. Preparations for EWC and ENC continue as planned.”
The statement comes at a critical time for the 2026 esports calendar. The Esports World Cup is set to return to Riyadh from July 6 to August 23, featuring a record-breaking $75 million prize pool across 24 titles. Meanwhile, the debut of the Esports Nations Cup—a biennial country-versus-country competition—is slated for November 2026.
The EWCF’s commitment to the current schedule also underscores the scale of the 2026 circuit. The Foundation recently shortlisted candidates from 630 applications across 152 countries for the ENC National Team Partner program, a process that is expected to conclude by the end of March.
While the Foundation remains optimistic, the industry is watching closely. The EWC has become the central pillar of the competitive season for major clubs and circuits. Any shift in the security profile of Riyadh could have cascading effects on the esports industry.
For now, the message from Riyadh is one of stability. The EWCF has not indicated any immediate plans to trigger relocation or “force majeure” clauses, though the promise of “active coordination” suggests a fluid approach to the coming months.
The Esports Radar will continue to monitor this story. Follow our ENC Live Tracker for updates on the situation and national team partner selection.
Editor’s note: This article was updated on March 4 to include a follow-up response from the EWCF regarding the specific nature of its contingency planning.
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