The Esports Foundation has officially confirmed that the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC) will return to Riyadh from October 30 to November 1, 2026, bringing together leaders from gaming, esports, sport, entertainment, technology, and investment ahead of the Esports Nations Cup 2026.
Held at the Sofitel Riyadh Hotel & Convention Centre, NGSC26 will once again serve as a major global meeting point for industry decision-makers, focusing on the future of competitive gaming and digital sport.
Riyadh Conference Followed by Esports Nations Cup
The 2026 conference will take place just ahead of the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), which begins on November 2. The close scheduling positions NGSC as a key prelude to one of the biggest nation-based esports competitions in the world.
In addition, organisers confirmed that NGSC26 will also feature an invitation-only summit held during the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris, marking the first time the conference expands beyond Saudi Arabia.
Theme: AI, Capital and the Future of Competition
This year’s theme, “Defining Victory: Shaping Gaming for the Next Era of Competition – AI, Capital & Monetization”, reflects the evolving nature of success across gaming and esports.
Discussions will focus on how artificial intelligence, new investment models, ownership structures, and evolving fan behaviour are reshaping how value is created within global gaming ecosystems.
New for 2026, NGSC will also introduce an invitation-only opening day on October 30 featuring workshops, networking sessions, roundtables, and executive meetings ahead of the main conference programme.
A Growing Global Industry Platform
According to organisers, NGSC has rapidly grown into one of the most influential business gatherings in the esports sector.
The 2025 edition brought together more than 1,500 delegates, including over 500 CEOs, 25 major game publishers, and more than 50 esports organisations, alongside leaders from gaming, sport, media, and investment sectors.
Previous attendees included representatives from Ubisoft, Sony, Amazon, and FIFA, as well as high-profile speakers such as Magnus Carlsen, Hideo Kojima, Steven Bartlett, Nicolas Winding Refn, and Alex Morgan.
The event also featured more than 250 bilateral meetings and the signing of over 30 memorandums of understanding across gaming, esports, and sports industries.
Strategic Partnerships and Global Expansion
NGSC26 will be delivered in partnership with Richard Attias & Associates and Maanna Strategic Communications, both of which will support programme development, communications strategy, and international engagement.
Organisers say the expanded format is designed to strengthen collaboration between gaming, esports, and traditional sport while accelerating commercial and technological innovation across the sector.
Looking Ahead to NGSC26
Further details on speakers, panels, and programming will be announced in the coming weeks, with anticipation building ahead of what is expected to be one of the most significant esports industry gatherings of 2026.
More information is available via newglobalsportconference.com, esportsnationscup.com, and esportsworldcup.com.
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