After receiving a direct invitation to the inaugural Esports Nations Cup, Khrade, Caleb and Laxin are preparing to represent New Zealand on the international Rocket League stage. We caught up with the trio to hear what the opportunity means to them, how they handle pressure and what they hope to prove against the world’s best.
Our E Blacks completed New Zealand’s first national esports tour, signing an MoU with the Malaysian Esports Federation and winning their Dota 2 test match in Kuala Lumpur.
Sixteen KIA E Blacks athletes will represent New Zealand across five disciplines at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup in Riyadh this November, competing in League of Legends, Rocket League, Rainbow Six Siege, Trackmania and Chess.
New Zealand’s national esports team, the E Blacks, will tour overseas for the first time when they travel to Malaysia for a week of training, competition and sport diplomacy. The tour marks a milestone for the national esports programme, with the delegation set to train in Kuala Lumpur, compete in an international test match and formalise a new partnership with the Malaysian Esports Federation.
The first phase of New Zealand’s ENC journey is complete. Player rosters are in, eligibility checks are underway, and the opening qualifier windows are almost here.
NZ Esports has been selected as New Zealand’s official National Team Partner for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), a new global competition launching November 2–29, 2026, where nations compete across 16 esports titles with a US$45 million ecosystem behind it.
The Esports Nations Cup 2026 roadmap is officially confirmed. With 16 titles, regional qualifiers, and a $20 million development fund, the tournament represents a major shift in competitive esports. Applications for National Team Partners close 31 January, with rosters finalised by May. Here’s everything you need to know about the competition structure, timeline, and what it means for esports in New Zealand.
Kia New Zealand is proud to announce its official major sponsorship of New Zealand Esports and the E Blacks, New Zealand’s national Esports team.
Tauranga’s STEM Festival brought over 10,000 parents, tamariki, and rangatahi together to explore science, technology, engineering, maths, and esports. The E Blacks were front and centre, with pro eFootball athlete Josh “JMK” King taking on festival goers in EAFC 26, answering questions about his journey, and inspiring the next generation of Kiwi gamers. From matches powered by the Kia EV5 esports car to hands-on conversations with families, the event showed how accessible and exciting esports is in Aotearoa.
The New Zealand national esports team, the E Blacks, is heading back to the global stage after our Dota 2 team won the Oceania Qualifiers for the IESF 2025 World Esports Championships. The victory came in a hard-fought series against their long-time rivals, Australia.