India's Teams for Esports Nations Cup 2026 Announced: Chess and Rocket League Roster Revealed
Esports Nations Cup 2026: India's Chess, Rocket League teams named
Asianet Newsable
Image: Asianet Newsable
NODWIN Gaming has announced India's teams for the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026, featuring Grandmaster Nihal Sarin in chess and a Rocket League squad. The event will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 to 29, 2026, with a total prize pool of USD 1.92 million (~INR 18.2 crore).
- 01Nihal Sarin qualified directly for the ENC 2026 chess event, being the only Indian player to do so via the Champions Chess Tour Leaderboard.
- 02India's Rocket League team includes Abhai Ponna (Abscrazy), Karthik Raghunandan (Karvin), and Aditeya Srivastav (Riyal), with a substitute player, Jayanth Engineer (Orjanguse).
- 03The chess tournament will feature 128 players competing for a prize pool of USD 600,000 (~INR 5.7 crore) in a round-robin format followed by playoffs.
- 04Rocket League will see 48 national teams competing for a prize pool of USD 1.32 million (~INR 12.5 crore) in a similar format.
- 05Nihal Sarin expressed excitement about representing India at the ENC, highlighting the rapid growth of chess in esports.
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NODWIN Gaming has unveiled India's teams for the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026, which will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 to 29, 2026. Grandmaster Nihal Sarin has secured direct qualification for the chess event, being the only Indian player to achieve this through the Champions Chess Tour (CCT) Leaderboard. The chess competition will feature 128 players competing for a prize pool of USD 600,000 (~INR 5.7 crore), culminating in a playoff bracket after an initial round-robin stage. Meanwhile, India's Rocket League team includes Abhai Ponna (Abscrazy), Karthik Raghunandan (Karvin), and Aditeya Srivastav (Riyal), alongside substitute Jayanth Engineer (Orjanguse). They will compete in regional qualifiers for a chance to secure a place in the main event, where 48 teams will vie for a total prize pool of USD 1.32 million (~INR 12.5 crore). Both events are expected to showcase the growing presence of esports on a global stage, with significant representation from various countries.
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The participation of Indian teams in the ENC 2026 enhances the visibility of esports in India and provides a platform for local talent.
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