The Mongolian Esports Association (MESA) has officially been inducted as a member organisation of the Mongolian National Olympic Committee (MNOC).

The move, supported by MNOC President and IOC Member Battushig Batbold, is designed to provide Mongolian athletes with better access to state-level infrastructure and funding. It opens way for esports players to get tax benefits and financial support that are granted to members of MNOC, and arrives as the nation intensifies its preparations for the Esports Nations Cup 2026 in Riyadh.

Also read:

“This marks a major step forward for the esports ecosystem in Mongolia and reflects the hard work of our players, teams, and coaches,” MESA stated in its official announcement. “The support of the MNOC will play an important role in the future development and progress of esports in our country, strengthening the connection between our athletes and the global Olympic movement.”

In late 2024, the MNOC established a dedicated Esports Commission to facilitate participation in IOC-recognised events, building on the success of the 2023 Asian Games where the national team secured a silver medal in Dota 2. By becoming a full member of the Olympic committee, MESA now holds the same institutional status as traditional sports federations, allowing for more structured talent development and the potential for government-backed high-performance training centres in Ulaanbaatar.

The timing of the membership coincides with a “golden era” for Mongolian competitive results, largely driven by the international rise of The Mongolz. In 2025, the team achieved a historic victory at the Esports World Cup in Counter-Strike 2, peaking at 3rd in the HLTV world rankings. This performance not only established Mongolia as a dominant force in Asian Counter-Strike but also proved the commercial viability of the region to global sponsors.

Furthermore, the membership provides a formalised framework for MESA’s role as the official partner for the Esports Nations Cup 2026. On global level, however, the International Olympic Committee recently has moved away from esports, reportedly halting operations in this front.

Subscribe to On The Radar, a weekly wrap up of esports business stories, and the fortnightly Heat Map, a deeper dive into the stories across esports business and culture.

Follow The Esports Radar on social media: