Southeast Asian countries are for the first time establishing a national team-level esports competition system with unified structure and standards. The tournament is an initiative of the Southeast Asian Esports Federation (SEAEF), with participation from its member federations.

The initiative marks a new phase for Southeast Asian esports, moving from loose cooperation to a more structured system, and from individual development to a common regional framework.

For the first time, the region will have a competition platform built on multilateral cooperation, where countries jointly set competition standards, organisational processes and operational systems. SNC is also the result of coordinated efforts aimed at long-term development.

SEAEF President Do Viet Hung said SNC is a strategic step helping shape esports in Southeast Asia with clearer structure, standards and a stronger voice internationally.

National federations have contributed to shaping the tournament, from defining formats and proposing content to coordinating operations and community connection. This shows closer ties among countries in developing a sustainable esports ecosystem.

The first edition will take place in Ho Chi Minh City on May 8-9,  as part of Vietnam GameVerse 2026.

According to the Vietnam Recreational and Electronic Sports Association, hosting the event allows Vietnam to contribute to a shared regional initiative, where countries jointly build a competition system with a long-term direction. The core value of SNC lies in regional cooperation.

The inaugural edition will feature five titles with nine medal events, namely PUBG Mobile, Teamfight Tactics, Crossfire Legends, Total Football and Audition.

SNC is positioned as part of a multi-level competition system, contributing to pathways from regional to continental and global levels, alongside events such as the SEA Games and the Asian Games.

The SEA Esports Nations Cup is set to become an annual tournament with a stable structure and long-term vision.

Built on regional cooperation, the tournament is set to expand in scale, improve quality and strengthen Southeast Asia’s position in global esports.

National team to compete at Esports Nations Cup 2026

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s national esports team will compete at the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC 2026), a global national-team tournament scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 to 29, according to the Vietnam Recreational eSport Association (VIRESA).