The Esports Foundation (EF) has announced that the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC) will convene in Riyadh from October 30 to November 1, 2026. The conference precedes the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026, a global nation-based esports competition scheduled to begin on November 2.

Hosted at the Sofitel Riyadh Hotel & Convention Centre, NGSC26 aims to gather professionals from gaming, esports, traditional sports, entertainment, technology, and investment sectors. The event is designed to facilitate discussions on the future trajectory of these industries.

Esports Foundation: International Presence with Paris Summit

In a notable expansion, NGSC26 will host an invitation-only summit in Paris during the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026. This marks the first international edition of the conference outside Saudi Arabia, indicating a strategic move to broaden its global reach.

Defining Victory: Theme for NGSC26

The theme for this year’s conference is “Defining Victory: Shaping Gaming for the Next Era of Competition – AI, Capital & Monetization.” The agenda is set to explore how artificial intelligence, evolving capital models, ownership structures, commercial innovation, and fan engagement are influencing value creation and ecosystem development within the competitive gaming and sports landscapes.

A new addition for NGSC26 will be an invitation-only opening day on October 30. This day will feature curated networking sessions, workshops, high-level meetings, and roundtables ahead of the main conference program.

Hans Jagnow, Director of the New Global Sport Conference (https://newglobalsportconference.com/) at the Esports Foundation, highlighted the conference’s role in bringing together industry leaders. “In 2026, we are expanding that position with two clear moments: Riyadh in November, alongside the Esports Nations Cup, and a curated Paris summit during the Esports World Cup,” Jagnow stated. “Together, they reflect NGSC’s ambition to connect people, their ideas, and partnerships that are shaping the future of global competition and defining what victory looks like.”

Conference Growth and Partnerships

The announcement follows the conference’s growth in previous years. The 2025 edition reportedly attracted over 1,500 delegates, including more than 500 CEOs, 25 major game publishers, and 50 esports organizations. Participants from companies such as Ubisoft, Amazon, Sony, and FIFA attended, alongside speakers like Magnus Carlsen, Steven Bartlett, Hideo Kojima, Nicolas Winding Refn, and Alex Morgan. The 2025 event also facilitated over 250 bilateral meetings and 30 Memorandums of Understanding across the gaming, esports, and sport sectors.

NGSC26 is being organized in partnership with Richard Attias & Associates (RA&A), a strategic advisory firm, and Maanna Strategic Communications, a regional consultancy. These partnerships aim to support the conference’s global platform, communications, and engagement efforts.

Further details regarding the NGSC26 program, speaker lineup, and session formats are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. For more information on ongoing industry developments, readers can visit TechnoSports (https://technosports.co.in/).