Philippines Eyes Global Esports Glory as Riyadh Nations Cup Beckons
Body- The Philippines is preparing to field its national esports teams at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup in Riyadh this November after securing qualification for at least two titles, underscoring the country’s growing prominence in competitive gaming and the rapid expansion of esports across Southeast Asia.
Saudi Arabia will host the first edition of the nation-based tournament, which is scheduled to take place over four weeks and feature competitors from more than 100 countries across 16 esports disciplines. Organizers have announced a total prize pool of $20 million for players and coaches.
The Philippines has qualified a five-member squad for the League of Legends competition, while its Valorant team earned a direct invitation after finishing among the top 10 in the game’s official global rankings.
“The Esports Nations Cup is one of the biggest international competitions because countries from all over the world participate,” Marlon Marcelo, executive director of the Philippine Esports Organization, said. He added that the tournament offers the country an opportunity to demonstrate its strength in esports, particularly in mobile gaming, where Filipino players have consistently performed well.
The Philippine Esports Organization, established in 2011, oversees the national esports program known as Sibol, which recently qualified for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang event at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, scheduled ahead of the Riyadh tournament.
Esports, particularly mobile gaming, has gained widespread popularity in the Philippines over the past decade, driven by the accessibility of smartphones and competitive multiplayer titles. Filipino teams have emerged as regular contenders in regional and international tournaments across several game categories.
Marcelo also praised Saudi Arabia’s growing role in global esports, describing the Kingdom as an emerging hub for major gaming events. He expressed hope that the large Filipino community living and working in Saudi Arabia would support the national teams during the tournament, particularly if they advance to the latter stages.
The Philippines will compete for the League of Legends title while also fielding a team in Valorant. National squads are continuing qualification campaigns in additional disciplines, including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Dota 2, Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile, with qualifying tournaments still underway.
