Ten years after the senior E Blacks’ first international appearance, twelve young players are starting a new chapter of the same pathway. Meet the inaugural Junior E Blacks cohort and see what their first few weeks of training, from sleep routines to scrim reviews, have looked like.
A hockey tour in 1926 started a hundred years of sport between New Zealand and India. On Sunday 25 October, esports joins that story for the first time, as the E Blacks face India in Clash Royale, eFootball and Tekken at Armageddon Expo.
The E Blacks have partnered with Canteen Aotearoa on a donation campaign for the more than 4,200 rangatahi impacted by cancer every year. Supporters claim a block on the flag the team carries to the Global Esports Games in Los Angeles, write a message of support, and every dollar donated goes to Canteen.
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.
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.
Add your message to the E Blacks flag travelling to the Global Esports Games this December.
For just $10, you’ll be part of the team’s journey to Los Angeles, while helping support rangatahi impacted by cancer through Canteen Aotearoa🎗️.