The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has confirmed that PUBG: Battlegrounds will be part of the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026, adding battle royale firepower to the national team competition set to debut in Riyadh later this year.

The Esports Nations Cup will run from November 2–29, 2026, with PUBG taking center stage from November 11–15.

PUBG Esports Nations Cup 2026 Format Explained

A total of 24 national teams will compete, all chasing a place in the 16-team Grand Final that promises to be one of the most intense international PUBG events of the year.

The event begins with a 24-team group stage split into three groups of eight. Each group will play five matches, and the overall standings will determine who advances.

The top 16 teams will progress to the Grand Final.

From there, a maximum 10-match Grand Final will be played under the Smash Rule system. Teams must reach the required points threshold and then secure a Chicken Dinner to claim the title. If no team achieves this early, all 10 matches will be played to determine the champion.

With national pride on the line rather than club points, aggressive drops and high-risk late-game calls are expected.

PUBG Esports Nations Cup 2026 Qualification Process

Not all 24 spots will be decided on LAN.

• Twelve teams will receive direct invitations based on the PUBG National Team Ranking.
• Ten teams will qualify through regional online qualifiers.
• Two teams will earn Wildcard slots.

Invitations will be determined using KRAFTON’s PUBG Power Rankings as the foundation. Points earned at official competitions are shared across participating teammates, with each nation’s ranking calculated using the top four players on its submitted roster. The ranking cut-off date is June 7, 2026.

Online qualifiers will run from July 10–12 using a double-elimination format with at least 12 games played.

Regional slot allocation:

• Americas – two
• Europe + Middle East + Africa – four
• Asia – two
• Southeast Asia + Oceania – two

PUBG’s History at the Esports World Cup

PUBG previously closed out the action at the 2025 Esports World Cup inside the Qiddiya Esports Arena, where Twisted Minds thrilled the home crowd with three Chicken Dinners in the Grand Final.

The tournament ultimately came down to the final match, with Gen.G and Team Falcons still mathematically alive heading into the decider.

More details regarding participating nations and additional titles are expected in the coming weeks as the countdown to Riyadh continues.