New Zealand’s Sights Set on ENC Qualifiers
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 Selected As National Team Partner For Inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026
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.
New Zealand’s Path to the Esports Nations Cup: The Fight Starts Now
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 to power 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.
E Blacks Bring Esports to Tauranga STEM Festival
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 Road to Glory: E Blacks Qualify for the 2025 IESF World Esports Championships
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.
The E Blacks Represent New Zealand at the Hado World Cup 2025 in Shanghai
What started as a handful of players meeting at Shore Junction two years ago has grown into representing New Zealand on the world stage at the Hado World Cup 2025 in Shanghai.
HADO NZ E Blacks Named for 2025 World Cup in Shanghai
The newly named 2025 HADO NZ E Blacks, sponsored by Spark Game Arena, will head to Shanghai, China, to compete at the HADO World Cup.
Kiwi Esports athletes set to get opportunity to win Olympic gold medals at Inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted unanimously last night for Saudi Arabia to host the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in 2025. This decision, made on the eve of the Paris Olympic Games, marks a significant milestone in the integration of esports into the global sports arena, reflecting the growth and popularity of competitive gaming worldwide.
World Esports Championship 2023: Chris and Josh’s Journey
Chris “MysteriousRiver” Hu and Josh “JMKKing” King represented the E Blacks on an unforgettable journey in the 2023 World Esports Championship. Flying all the way from New Zealand to Iași, Romania.