Esports World Cup Foundation announces VALORANT game in Esports Nations Cup 2026 Lineup. A massive $1,500,000 prize pool is on the line as 32 national teams prepare to battle for glory on the world stage. Moving away from the traditional club-based circuit, the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) shifts the focus to national pride, tasking elite 5v5 squads with representing their home countries in a high-stakes, PC-based showdown. Check out the detailed information on VALORANT at ENC 2026 below.
VALORANT at ENC 2026: Tournament Structure and Key Dates
Hosted in Riyadh, the competition spans seven days of intense tactical play from November 8th to November 15th. The tournament is divided into two distinct phases:
- Group Stage: Thirty-two teams are split into four groups of eight. They will compete in a round-robin format using Best-of-One (Bo1) matches.
- Playoffs: The top 16 teams advance to a single-elimination bracket. At this stage, the stakes rise with Best-of-Three (Bo3) series determining who moves closer to the trophy.
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The Road to Riyadh: How Teams Qualify
Securing a spot in this elite field requires consistent performance and strategic roster building. The 32 slots are filled through three specific pathways:
| Qualification Method | Slots | Details |
| National Rankings | 16 | Based on VCT performance points through June 21, 2026. |
| ENC Qualifiers | 14 | Determined via a double-elimination bracket held June 26–28. |
| Wildcard Entries | 2 | Final spots reserved for selected teams. |
How the Rankings Work: The VALORANT National Team Rankings calculate points based on VCT success. A nation’s standing is determined by the combined points of the top five players on their submitted roster.
This tournament marks a historic chapter for the game, as individual talent and collective strategy converge to decide which nation truly reigns supreme in the tactical shooter space.
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