The PUBG Mobile Esports Nations Cup 2026 has officially been announced. The tournament will take place from November 3 to November 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This will be the first edition of the Nations Cup, making it a historic event for the competitive PUBG Mobile scene.
A total of 32 teams from different countries will compete for a massive prize pool of $1,320,000. With global representation and high stakes, this tournament is expected to be one of the biggest PUBG Mobile events of the year.
Here is a simple breakdown of everything you need to know.
PUBG Mobile Esports Nations Cup 2026 Overview
This tournament will bring together national teams from across the world. Unlike regular club competitions, this event focuses on country-based representation.
Key highlights:
- Location – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Dates – November 3 to November 8, 2026
- Total Teams – 32
- Prize Pool – $1.32 million
The event is being organised under the Esports World Cup framework, which includes multiple gaming titles.
How Teams Will Qualify
The 32 participating teams will be selected through a mix of direct invitations, regional qualifiers, and wildcard entries.
Breakdown:
- 16 teams invited directly based on national rankings
- 14 teams from regional qualifiers
- 2 teams from wildcard stage
The invited teams will be selected using performance rankings from major PUBG Mobile global events earlier in the year.
Qualification Criteria Explained
National team rankings will be calculated using performances from:
- PUBG Mobile World Cup
- PUBG Mobile Global Championship
- PUBG Mobile Global Open
Points earned in these events will determine which countries receive direct invitations. The ranking cutoff date is July 7, 2026.
This system rewards consistent performance throughout the competitive season.
Regional Qualifiers Details
Regional qualifiers will take place from July 10 to July 12 across eight regions. A total of 14 teams will advance from these qualifiers.
Slot distribution by region:
- Southeast Asia and Oceania – 2 teams
- South America – 1 team
- North and Central America – 2 teams
- Middle East and North Africa – 2 teams
- Europe – 2 teams
- Eastern Europe and Central Asia – 2 teams
- East and South Asia – 1 team
- Central and Southern Africa – 2 teams
These qualifiers will give emerging regions a chance to compete on the global stage.
Tournament Format
The competition will be divided into two main stages.
Group Stage
- 32 teams will be divided into four groups.
- Matches will be played from November 3 to November 5.
- Each team will play nine matches.
- Top four teams from each group advance to the Grand Finals.
The remaining teams will be eliminated.
Grand Finals
- 16 teams will compete from November 6 to November 8.
- Up to 18 matches will be played.
- The Smash Rule system will be used.
This format adds pressure because teams must reach a specific point threshold before becoming eligible for the final winning match.
Also Read: How Betting Exchanges Work: Better Odds Than A Bookmaker?
