Saudi Arabia: The inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC) has announced a major partnership with global sportswear giant adidas, which will serve as the official kit partner for the upcoming international esports tournament. The collaboration marks a significant step in bringing traditional sporting identity and presentation standards into the rapidly expanding world of competitive gaming.
Under the agreement, adidas will design and produce official competition apparel for national teams representing more than 100 countries and territories participating in the Esports Nations Cup. Around 2,000 athletes and coaches involved in the tournament will receive customised jerseys and tracksuits, giving esports competitors the opportunity to represent their nations with the same pride and symbolism associated with traditional sporting events.
The national team jerseys are expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks ahead of the tournament, which is scheduled to begin on November 2, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event will feature national teams competing across 16 esports titles, creating a new format in which players will compete under their national flags rather than representing only individual clubs or organisations.
adidas brings sporting heritage to global esports event
The partnership between adidas and the Esports Nations Cup highlights the growing connection between esports and mainstream sports culture. For decades, national team jerseys have represented identity, unity and ambition in global competitions, and the ENC aims to bring the same emotional connection to esports athletes and fans.
Mohammed Al Nimer, chief commercial officer of the Esports Foundation, said national team jerseys represent the pride and aspirations of entire countries and territories. He added that partnering with adidas would allow esports athletes to experience the prestige and recognition traditionally associated with international sporting competitions.
The Esports Foundation believes the collaboration will help create memorable national moments during the tournament while encouraging a new generation of players and supporters to engage with competitive gaming at a global level.
Adidas, one of the world’s leading sportswear companies, has a long history of designing kits for major sporting events, including international football tournaments, Olympic competitions and professional leagues. Through the Esports Nations Cup partnership, the company will extend its expertise in athlete apparel to the esports industry.
Phillip Waller, adidas senior vice president of Brand Development, said the company understands the importance of jerseys in creating a sense of identity, belonging and competition. He added that the Esports Nations Cup provides an opportunity to bring adidas’ experience from traditional sports into esports on a worldwide scale.
Esports Nations Cup aims to redefine competitive gaming
The Esports Nations Cup is designed to introduce a nation-based competition model to the global esports calendar. Unlike many existing esports tournaments that focus on teams owned by gaming organisations, the ENC will see players representing their respective countries and territories.
The tournament organisers have stated that more than 700 coaches from over 90 esports organisations have been appointed to support national teams ahead of the competition. These coaches will help prepare athletes and develop strategies across different esports titles.
The involvement of national teams could provide esports with a stronger connection to mainstream audiences, as fans may develop deeper emotional links with players representing their own countries. Organisers believe the format could help expand esports’ reach beyond existing gaming communities and attract viewers who are familiar with international sporting competitions.
The partnership with adidas also reflects the increasing commercial growth of esports. With millions of fans worldwide and a rapidly developing professional ecosystem, esports has attracted investment from major brands across technology, entertainment, fashion and sports industries.
Riyadh set to host major esports milestone
Saudi Arabia has increasingly positioned itself as a global hub for esports and gaming events, hosting several international tournaments and investing heavily in the growth of the gaming sector. The launch of the Esports Nations Cup in Riyadh is expected to further strengthen the country’s role in the international esports landscape.
The inaugural edition will bring together thousands of athletes, coaches and esports professionals from across the world. With adidas providing official team apparel, the tournament will attempt to create a professional environment similar to established global sporting championships.
The partnership between the Esports Foundation and adidas represents a milestone for esports, demonstrating how competitive gaming continues to evolve into a recognised global sporting platform. As the first Esports Nations Cup approaches, attention will now turn towards participating teams, selected games and the official unveiling of national jerseys.
The event could mark a new chapter for esports by combining national pride, professional competition and the visual identity of traditional sports with the digital energy of gaming.