Kunal Upreti qualifies for Esports Nations Cup 2026, secures India’s Trackmania berth

RIYADH: India’s Trackmania ace Kunal Upreti, better known as Spark, has booked his place at the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026 after dominating the Asia regional qualifier, earning the country’s sole berth in the racing title at the inaugural nation-based esports tournament.

The 22-year-old will represent India when the global competition takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 to 29, 2026. The Trackmania event is scheduled between November 19 and 22, featuring 32 players competing for a prize pool of USD 250,000, equivalent to more than Rs 2 crore.

Spark’s qualification came through an impressive campaign in the Asia regional qualifier, which featured 20 competitors across two stages. The event began with a Time Attack seeding phase, where players raced across two maps for 10 minutes each before advancing into the playoffs. Thanks to his position in the Trackmania Elite Cup Rankings, Spark received a direct entry into the playoff stage.

The playoffs followed a double-elimination format using Cup Mode scoring. Players needed to reach 120 points in all matches, except the Grand Final, which required 140 points, before securing one additional race victory to seal the contest.

Spark lived up to his reputation by finishing first in every playoff match. He scored 122 points in each of his opening three playoff rounds before wrapping up the Grand Final with 143 points, comfortably securing his ticket to ENC 2026.

The qualification adds another milestone to what has already been a standout year for the Indian racer. Earlier this year, Spark also qualified for the Esports World Cup 2026 after finishing second in the Asia and Oceania qualifier, making him India’s only representative in Trackmania at both of the world’s biggest international esports competitions.

Representing S8UL Esports, Spark has established himself as India’s most successful Trackmania player. He has won four consecutive editions of the Trackmania India Cup spanning Editions 5, 6, 7 and 8, lifted the Mahi Cup 2025, and represented India at international competitions including the Trackmania Games, Trackmania Seasonal Country Championship, and the Trackmania Country Championship.

Speaking after securing qualification, Kunal Upreti aka Spark said, “The ENC qualification means a lot because it gives me another opportunity to represent India on the international stage. The Asia qualifier featured some very strong competitors, so I’m pleased with how I performed throughout the event. The level of competition at ENC 2026 will be incredibly high, but those are exactly the events every player wants to compete in. I’m excited for the challenge ahead and looking forward to testing myself against some of the strongest players in the world.”

At the finals in Riyadh, Spark will face several of the world’s elite Trackmania players, including France’s Alexandre Touche (Binkss), Germany’s Nico Gyarmati (GranaDy), Canada’s Carl-Antoni Cloutier (Carl Jr.), and Great Britain’s Thomas Cole (Pac).

The tournament will begin with a group stage comprising four groups of eight players each. The top four competitors from every group will advance to a 16-player single-elimination playoff bracket, where players must reach the designated points threshold before winning one additional race to clinch the match.

Of the 32-player field, 16 competitors received direct invitations through the publisher-operated Trackmania Elite Cup Rankings, while 14 qualified through regional events across the Americas, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The United Arab Emirates’ Plink secured the Host Region Wildcard, while the final Solidarity Wildcard will be awarded later this year to a competitor from an underrepresented nation.

Meanwhile, India’s preparations for ENC 2026 continue across multiple titles under NODWIN Gaming, the country’s National Team Partner for the tournament.

India’s DOTA 2 squad comprising Krish Gupta (Krish), Vishal Vernekar (HBK), Dhvanit Singh Negi (Negi), Manav Kunte (MnZ) and Yash Thakur (xand3r_^), with Moin Ejaz (NO_Chanc3) as coach, will compete in the regional qualifiers from June 29 to July 1.

In Chess, Grandmasters Nihal Sarin and Mitrabha Guha have already secured direct qualification for the main event.

For MOBA Legends: 5v5!, India’s roster includes Gaithanlung Gonmei (Kyle), Susanta Biswas (Kimyy), Abhijeet Katkar (Asuna), Rithik Sohal (Romcom), Evancius A. Sangma (Vann), Mohammad Saad (Apex) and Jay Mehta (J), with Steve Vitug (Dale) serving as coach. India is currently ranked 11th in the game’s ENC rankings and remains in contention for a direct invitation.

India’s Rocket League team features Abhai Ponna (Abscrazy), Karthik Raghunandan (Karvin), Aditeya Srivastav (Riyal) and substitute Jayanth Engineer (Orjanguse), with Nirjhar Mitra (jocse) as coach. The team will compete in the regional qualifiers from July 17 to 19, where three Asian teams will qualify for the ENC 2026 Finals.

With Spark continuing his remarkable rise and India’s participation expanding across multiple esports titles, the country will head to Riyadh with one of its strongest international contingents yet.