CEO Jonathan Jansen appointed National Team Manager as NZ Esports begins scouting players and coaches to represent New Zealand as the E Blacks on the world stage
Auckland, New Zealand (March 25, 2026) – NZ Esports has been selected as the official National Team Partner for New Zealand at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), a new global competition where nations – not clubs – compete across 16 esports titles. The tournament, created by the Esports Foundation (EF), will debut on November 2–29, 2026, with more than 100 countries represented and a US$45 million ecosystem behind it.
NZ Esports CEO Jonathan Jansen has been appointed as New Zealand’s National Team Manager and will lead the formation of E Blacks squads across the confirmed titles. The federation is now scouting for coaches, with athlete selection to follow once coaching structures are in place. Selection will prioritise competitive merit, professional conduct, and commitment to national team values.
“This is what we’ve been building towards,” said Jansen. “For years, our players have competed internationally in their game communities but rarely with the opportunity to officially represent New Zealand at this scale. The Esports Nations Cup changes that fundamentally. We now have another pathway for athletes across multiple titles to fly the New Zealand flag at the highest level of competition.”
The EF received more than 630 applications from 150 countries for the National Team Partner programme. Partners range from established bodies like the Korea Esports Association and the Saudi Esports Federation to club-led coalitions and hybrid public-private alliances – a partnership-led approach that recognises esports has developed differently in every nation. NZ Esports is among the federation-led partners, selected on the strength of its governance, athlete pathways, and competitive integrity.
“The Esports Nations Cup is built on a simple idea: players should have a trusted pathway to represent their country, and fans should have a national team they can truly rally behind,” said Hans Jagnow, Director of National Team Relations at the Esports Foundation. “From the start, our focus has been on the quality of the partnerships and structures behind that journey, matched with the scale to make a global event. The response from our partners around the world gives us real confidence that ENC is not just a new competition, but an innovative new model for national esports – the beginning of a new chapter in esports.”
Confirmed titles include Apex Legends, Chess, Counter-Strike, Dota 2, EA Sports FC, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, Honor of Kings, League of Legends, Mobile Legends, PUBG Mobile, PUBG, Rainbow Six, Rocket League, Trackmania, and VALORANT, with additional titles to be announced. The US$45 million ecosystem comprises a US$20 million prize pool – structured so every player receives equal payment based on placement regardless of title – a US$20 million development fund supporting national programmes, and US$5 million in club incentives.
“We have world-class talent across numerous titles who have never had this kind of opportunity,” said Conor English, President of NZ Esports. “The multi-title structure means more athletes, more pathways, and more representation. This isn’t just about the handful of games that dominate commercial esports – it’s about recognising excellence across the entire competitive gaming ecosystem.”
Players interested in representing New Zealand at the Esports Nations Cup are encouraged to sign up to the NZ Esports newsletter, follow NZ Esports on social media, or visit eblacks.nz to stay informed about upcoming trials, selection announcements, and how to put your hand up for the E Blacks.
Additional information about the Esports Nations Cup will be released in the coming weeks. Visit esportsnationscup.com to stay up to date.
About NZ Esports
The New Zealand Esports Federation (NZ Esports) is the recognised national sporting organisation for esports in Aotearoa. NZ Esports operates the E Blacks, New Zealand’s official national esports team, and provides governance, athlete development, and competitive frameworks for esports nationwide.
About the Esports Nations Cup
The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is a biennial global esports competition created by the Esports Foundation (EF) that brings national pride to the world stage. Launching in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2026, the ENC features the world’s best players competing not for their clubs, but for their countries and territories, across a lineup of leading esports titles. Built in collaboration with game partners, clubs, and esports organisations, the ENC establishes the first recurring, large-scale platform for national teams in esports. esportsnationscup.com
About the Esports Foundation
The Esports Foundation (EF) is a non-profit organisation based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, dedicated to advancing and professionalising the global esports industry. Through the annual Esports World Cup (EWC) and the biennial Esports Nations Cup (ENC), the EF brings together the world’s top players, leading clubs, and millions of fans for the biggest stages in competitive gaming.
