Cars, Goals, and National Pride: Rocket League Joins ENC 2026

Things are about to get wild in Riyadh! The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) just dropped a bombshell that left everyone stunned, announcing Rocket League as the latest game to join the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC).

Set to take over Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 to November 29, 2026, the ENC is bringing 16 major titles to the biggest stage imaginable. And honestly, it wasn't going to be a real party without the high-octane mix of cars and football. Rocket League brings a winning formula that is absolutely perfect for adrenaline-fueled competition, and fans couldn't be more hyped.

How the tournament unfolds

The Rocket League action kicks off on November 3 and wraps up with a massive grand final on November 8, 2026. The road to the trophy is not going to be a walk in the park. Here is how the competition will break down:

• Group Stage: A massive lineup of 48 national teams will be split into eight groups of six, battling it out in a brutal round-robin format.
• Playoffs: Only the top two teams from each group will punch their tickets to the single-elimination playoff bracket.
• Match Formats: All group stage matches and early playoff rounds will be best-of-five. When the lights shine brightest, the grand final will be an epic best-of-seven showdown.

The race for a spot

Getting 48 national teams to Riyadh requires a massive qualification process. The ENC is using a multi-layered approach to make sure the absolute best players get to represent their countries:

• 24 Direct Invites: Awarded based on the brand-new ENC Rocket League National Team Rankings.
• 21 Regional Qualifiers: Earned through grueling online brackets.
• 3 Wildcard Slots: Reserved to round out the final 48-team roster.

The direct invites are no joke. The system takes into account both regional and international Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) points, which are equally shared among Club teammates. The national ranking will then combine the points of the top three players on a submitted national roster. Players have until the cut-off date of May 24, 2026, to grind those points.

For the nations that do not make the top 24, things are going to get sweaty. Twenty-one teams will have to fight through the regional qualifiers taking place online from July 17 to July 19. These double-elimination brackets will be an absolute bloodbath, with slots distributed across the globe:

• North America: 3 slots
• South America: 3 slots
• Europe: 3 slots
• Middle East: 3 slots
• Africa: 3 slots
• Asia: 3 slots
• Southeast Asia and Oceania: 3 slots

The legacy of EWC 2025

If the upcoming ENC is anything like the Rocket League tournament at the Esports World Cup 2025, we are in for a treat. Last year's event was charged with the electric energy of the home crowd, who firmly rallied behind Team Falcons (Mohammed "Trk511" Alotaibi, Saleh "Rw9" Bakhashwin, Yazeed "Kiileerrz" Bakhashwin) and Geekay Esports (Archie "Archie" Pickthall, Joseph "Joyo" Young, Ole "oaly." van Doorn).

Geekay Esports had an absolute fairytale run that left everyone speechless, including a legendary seven-game semifinal overtime upset over Team Vitality that we still can't stop talking about. But their dream was ultimately crushed in their first major LAN final when they ran into a brick wall named Karmine Corp. It was a tough pill to swallow for the underdogs, but the French powerhouse was just on another level.

Karmine Corp steamrolled the competition, with Samy "dralii" Hajji putting on an absolute clinic and taking home the MVP honors. Alongside Axel "Vatira" Touret and Tristan "Atow." Soyez, the squad secured its second major title of the season, cementing their status as the undeniable kings of the game. Meanwhile, Team Falcons fired back after their setbacks and fought hard for a respectable 3rd-place finish. That podium placement proved absolutely crucial in helping their organization secure the overall Club Championship title at the EWC.

With 13 nations represented in 2025, the leap to 48 national teams for the ENC 2026 means the stakes have never been higher. National pride is on the line, and it is going to be an event for the history books.

Additional information about the Esports Nations Cup will be released in the coming weeks. To stay up to date, visit esportsnationscup.com, and follow ENC on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and follow the Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn.

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Featured Image Credit: Esports World Cup Foundation

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