The Esports Foundation has announced the return of the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC) to Riyadh, scheduled from October 30 to November 1, 2026, just before the Esports Nations Cup 2026, a global nation-based esports competition that begins on November 2. The event will be held at the Sofitel Riyadh Hotel & Convention Centre, bringing together leaders from gaming, esports, sports, entertainment, technology, and investment to foster collaboration and shape the future of these industries. Tickets are now available for the conference.
International Expansion and Paris Summit
For the first time, NGSC26 will host a curated, invitation-only summit during the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris, marking the conference's first international edition outside Saudi Arabia. This expansion reflects the growing global interest in the intersection of gaming, esports, and sports.
Theme: Defining Victory for the Next Era
This year's theme, "Defining Victory: Shaping Gaming for the Next Era of Competition — AI, Capital & Monetization," highlights the evolving understanding of success in gaming, esports, and sports. The conference will explore how artificial intelligence, new capital models, ownership structures, commercial innovation, and fan behavior are transforming value creation, ecosystem building, and the definition of success in the industry.
New Features and Exclusive Opening Day
New for 2026, NGSC26 will host an invitation-only opening day on October 30, featuring curated networking, workshops, high-level meetings, and roundtables before the main conference agenda begins.
Hans Jagnow, director of the NGSC at the Esports Foundation, stated: "The New Global Sport Conference has become a place where leaders across gaming, esports and sport come together to discuss what comes next. 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. 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."
Growth and Impact of Previous Editions
The announcement follows the continued growth of the NGSC. In 2025, the conference convened more than 1,500 delegates, including over 500 CEOs, 25 major game publishers, more than 50 esports organizations, and leaders from gaming, sports, investment, media, and technology. Participants included representatives from Ubisoft, Amazon, Sony, FIFA, and the Esports Foundation, as well as prominent speakers such as Magnus Carlsen, Steven Bartlett, Hideo Kojima, Nicolas Winding Refn, and Alex Morgan. During the 2025 edition, over 250 bilateral meetings took place, and 30 memorandums of understanding and strategic agreements were signed across the gaming, esports, and sports sectors.
Partnerships and Support
NGSC26 is being delivered in partnership with Richard Attias & Associates, a global strategic advisory firm specializing in high-impact live experiences and global convenings, and Maanna Strategic Communications, a regional consultancy supporting PR and marketing operations across the program. These partners will help shape NGSC26's global platform, strengthen its communications approach, and enable meaningful engagement across gaming, esports, and sports.
