The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced Apex Legends as the latest title in the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC) line-up.
EA‘s battle royale title is one of 16 games appearing at the multi-national esports event debuting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this November.
Apex Legends Esports Nations Cup 2026 Format
A total of 40 national teams will compete from November 26th to 29th to determine the eventual Apex Legends champion.
The event begins with a Group Stage, splitting the 40 teams into four groups of 10. Each group competes against the others in a six-match series, with the top 20 overall advancing to the Finals.
Similar to the format used in the Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS), the Finals of the ENC will feature a Match Point system. Teams will compete to reach a specific points threshold to earn Match Point eligibility. Once a team has earned Match Point, the roster must win a game to lift the trophy.
The 40 teams competing at the Esports Nations Cup are determined through ALGS Championship Points, online qualifiers, and wildcard slots. Half of the field earns its place through the cumulative Championship Points total earned by national players competing in the ALGS throughout the year.
Online qualifiers take place from August 1st to 2nd, with the highest placing roster from each region earning the opportunity to represent their nation in the main event. The Americas receive six qualification slots, EMEA receives nine, and Asia Pacific South gets three.
Teams looking to represent South Korea and Japan will earn invitations based on Championship Points, with an online qualifier deciding the players to represent their nations.
Apex Legends is the second battle royale title confirmed for the Esports World Cup. It joins PUBG in the 16-title line-up as well as Trackmania, Counter-Strike 2, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
EA And Esports Nations Cup
The inclusion of Apex Legends as an Esports Nations Cup title is a result of EA’s involvement with the event. In November 2025, it became a publishing partner of the event alongside the likes of KRAFTON, Ubisoft, and MOONTON Games.
EA is no stranger to collaborating with the Esports World Cup Foundation. Since 2025, the ALGS has been integrated into the Esports World Cup. For Year 6 of the ALGS, the Split 1 Playoffs form part of the multi-title event taking place in July.
While several notable esports titles continue to join the Esports Nations Cup, criticism surrounding Saudi Arabia’s continued investment in esports remains.
In June 2025, former Team Orchid player ‘Hambino‘ refused to attend the Mid-Season Playoffs at the Esports World Cup due to the Kingdom’s human rights record surrounding the LGBTQ+ community and women. North American player Ryan ‘ImMadness’ Schlieve also questioned EA’s decision to join the Esports World Cup, claiming the publisher was exploiting marginalised communities for financial benefit.
