Hong Kong reveals League of Legends roster for Esports Nations Cup 2026
The seven-player squad will compete in Asia regional qualifiers later this month before potentially advancing to the $1.5M main event in Riyadh
Hong Kong has locked in its League of Legends lineup for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026, fielding a seven-player roster that will first need to survive Asia’s regional qualifiers before booking a ticket to Saudi Arabia.
The Esports Association of Hong Kong, China (ESAHK) confirmed the squad, which includes Pretender, YSKM, Holo, Kaiwing, 1xn, BuLuKaKa, and Keres. The team carries 750 accumulated points from official Riot Games competitions, placing Hong Kong at #24 in the global rankings as of June 14, 2026.
The path to Riyadh runs through qualifiers
That #24 ranking means Hong Kong didn’t earn a direct invitation to the main event. Instead, the squad will need to prove itself in the Asia regional online qualifiers, scheduled for June 19 to 21, 2026.
The main event, the Esports Nations Cup 2026, is set for November 21 to 29 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 32 teams will compete for a prize pool of $1.5 million.
Chen Lung Shing has been named as the team manager. The coaching position remains unfilled.
What is the Esports Nations Cup?
The ENC 2026 represents a multi-title, nation-based esports tournament. League of Legends was added to the event’s roster of games on February 24, 2026, expanding what appears to be an ambitious effort to create an Olympics-style framework for esports.
The nation-based format is worth paying attention to. Most major League of Legends competitions are organized around club teams and regional leagues, like the LCK in Korea, the LPL in China, and the LEC in Europe. Players on those teams frequently represent different nationalities. The ENC flips that model entirely, requiring players to compete under their national flag.
Hong Kong’s esports ambitions in context
Hong Kong’s competitive gaming scene has long existed in the shadow of mainland China, South Korea, and Taiwan. The region doesn’t host a major Riot Games professional league, which means its players typically accumulate competitive experience through smaller circuits and cross-regional competitions.
The 750 points that earned Hong Kong its #24 ranking reflect that reality. The squad is competitive enough to qualify for the regional stage but faces an uphill battle against nations with deeper talent pools and more established professional ecosystems.