The Esports Foundation (EF) and adidas have announced a landmark partnership that will see the global sportswear brand provide official team kits for more than 100 national teams competing at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), set to begin on November 2, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As the Official Kit Partner and Global Partner of ENC, adidas will design and produce custom competition apparel for approximately 2,000 esports athletes and coaches representing countries and territories worldwide. Each delegation will receive customized jerseys and tracksuits designed to showcase national identity while bringing the culture of traditional sports into competitive esports.
The partnership highlights the growing convergence of esports, sports, entertainment, and global fan culture, positioning esports closer to the structure and prestige of international sporting events.
“National team jerseys carry identity, pride and the ambition of an entire country or territory,” said Mohammed Al Nimer, Chief Commercial Officer of the Esports Foundation. He added that the collaboration with adidas will allow esports athletes to represent their nations with the same recognition and significance associated with traditional sports.
Phillip Waller, adidas Senior Vice President for Brand Development, said the company’s experience outfitting athletes at major sporting events will help bring greater identity and belonging to esports competition.
The Esports Nations Cup aims to establish a recurring nation-based competition format for esports, enabling countries and territories to build national teams, develop talent pathways, and strengthen local esports ecosystems.
Ahead of the event, the Esports Foundation has established a global national team structure, including Official National Team Partners, National Team Managers, and more than 700 coaches across over 100 countries and territories. The coaches, representing more than 90 esports organizations, will oversee player selection and team development across leading esports titles.
The first ENC is expected to become a major milestone for the esports industry by introducing a global national team model similar to established international sporting competitions.
