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Ho Chi Minh City will host the annual SEA Esports Nations Cup (SNC) beginning in 2026 under a cooperation agreement signed between the Southeast Asia Esports Federation (SEAEF), Vietnam GameVerse, and VNGGames.
The tournament is planned as a national team competition featuring multiple esports titles among Southeast Asian countries, according to the agreement signed on May 8 within the framework of Vietnam GameVerse 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City.
Initiated by SEAEF, the event aims to strengthen connections among member countries, tournament organizers, and the regional esports community. Organizers described it as a step toward building a more structured competition system with unified operational standards across Southeast Asia.
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Delegates attending the cooperation signing ceremony of SEA Esports Nations Cup in HCMC on May 8, 2026. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran |
The inaugural tournament is expected to feature five game titles and nine medal events, including PUBG Mobile, Teamfight Tactics (TFT), Crossfire Legends (CFL), and Total Football.
Among them, PUBG Mobile is considered one of the key events due to its large player base in Southeast Asia and the strong international performances of several regional teams.
The total prize pool for SNC 2026 will be US$41,000.
Representatives of the participating organizations said the decision to host the tournament in Vietnam reflects efforts to develop regional esports in a more stable, professional, and scalable direction.
For Vietnam, the event is expected to support the growth of the domestic esports sector while strengthening links between competitive gaming, the gaming industry, and the wider digital content ecosystem in the region.
VNGGames will serve as a co-organizer and operations partner. The company said it aims to bring more large-scale esports events to Vietnam while improving tournament production and international event operations.
Vietnam GameVerse 2026 is being held from May 9 to 10 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC).
The event is directed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and co-organized by the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information, VnExpress, FPT Online, and the Vietnam Game Alliance.
This year’s theme is "Do Local – Go Global," with activities including the Vietnam Game Forum, Vietnam Game Awards, the finals of Cosplay Contest 2026, gaming experience zones, business networking events, and entertainment performances.
