Mobile Legends: Bang Bang confirmed as first game for Esports Nations Cup 2026

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) has been officially announced as the first confirmed title for the Esports Nations Cup 2026, hosted by the Esports World Cup Federation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The nation-based tournament will run its debut from November 23–29, 2026, featuring 32 national MLBB teams competing on LAN.

MLBB is one of the 16 world-class titles to be featured in the ENC 2026. Its early confirmation signals just how central the title is to the global esports ecosystem. This is particularly in regions where national pride and international rivalries run deep.

The MLBB competition at ENC 2026 will happen entirely on LAN, ensuring a level playing field as national teams clash on the world stage. The event will follow a two-stage format design, challenging players to remain consistent throughout the competition. 

The opening group stage will feature 32 national teams divided into four groups of eight. Teams will compete in a round-robin format, with all matches played as best-of-two (Bo2) series. At the end of the group stage, the top four teams from each group will advance.

The remaining 16 teams will move on to a single-elimination playoff bracket. All playoff matches leading up to the finals will be best-of-five (Bo5), while the grand final will be a best-of-seven (Bo7) showdown to crown the ENC champion.

There are multiple paths available for national teams to participate in the MLBB at ENC 2026.

16 national teams will receive a direct invite to the tournament. The invites are sent out following the newly established MLBB nation ranking system.

This ranking system takes into account performances across international, regional, and selected national club competitions. Clubs earn points based on their placements in official MLBB events. The points earned are equally distributed among all participating players.

A nation’s ranking is then calculated by accumulating the points of the top five players on its submitted national roster.

The ranking cut-off date is August 2, 2026, following the conclusion of the MLBB Mid-Season Cup (MSC) at the Esports World Cup 2026.

14 national teams will qualify through regional online qualifiers held from August 14 to 16. All qualifiers will use a double-elimination bracket format.

Regional slot distribution is as follows:

2 Wildcard teams will also receive invitations to the MLBB at ENC 2026. This adds an extra layer of unpredictability to the tournament. The regions to receive the wild card stage invitation remain under wraps. We'll just have to keep our eyes peeled for more information in the future.

MLBB has already established itself as one of the standout titles at the Esports World Cup 2025. The two events, the Mid-Season Cup (MSC) and the Women’s Invitational (MWI) were among the most-watched esports events in 2025. 

MSC concluded with Team Liquid PH claiming the championship after a dominant 4–1 Grand Final victory. This further cemented them as one of the powerhouse teams in MLBB esports. Meanwhile Team Vitality swept the MWI finals 4–0 to lift the trophy. Beyond the results, MLBB produced some of the event’s most emotional and human storylines.

As more titles are revealed in the coming months, MLBB’s inclusion sets a high bar. This can be a clear signal that the Esports Nations Cup is positioning itself as a premier international esports spectacle.

Q: Is Mobile Legends confirmed for Esports Nations Cup 2026?
A: Yes, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is the first officially confirmed title for ENC 2026.

Q: Where will Esports Nations Cup 2026 take place?
A: The event will be hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Q: How many teams will compete in MLBB at ENC 2026?
A: 32 national teams will compete through group and playoff stages.

Q: Are the Esports Nations Cup 2026 and Esports World Cup 2026 the same event?
A: No, the Esports Nations Cup 2026 is a separate event where participating players represent their own countries. The Esports World Cup will take place in Summer 2026.