Esports Nations Cup delayed to 2027 as Iran conflict continues
The Esports Nations Cup, originally scheduled for Riyadh, has been postponed to 2027 due to regional instability caused by the ongoing conflict between the USA and Iran. This follows the relocation of the Esports World Cup to Paris earlier this year, complicating Saudi Arabia's efforts to establish itself as a global gaming hub.
Why it matters
The delay illustrates how geopolitical conflicts can disrupt the global esports industry and the soft-power ambitions of host nations.
Image source, Esports Foundation Image caption, This year's Esports World Cup was held in Paris after a last-minute venue change
The first Esports Nations Cup (ENC), set to be held in Saudi Arabia later this year, has been delayed until 2027.
The competitive video gaming event, which brings together players representing different countries and global territories, was set to take place in Riyadh this November.
But organisers the Esports Foundation announced they had postponed it by 12 months due to the "wider regional situation" in the Middle East, where the USA's war with Iran continues.
The foundation already relocated their Esports World Cup (EWC) event to Paris in July this year due to the ongoing conflict.
The ENC was due to debut in the Saudi capital this year to "introduce national representation" to the global esports calendar.
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