IESF opens WEC26 Athletes Committee elections for eight regional seats

Applications run Nov 15–Dec 5; only competitors at the 18th World Esports Championship in Banten can vote in December.

The International Esports Federation (IESF) has opened elections for its Athletes Committee, with applications running from November 15th to December 5th ahead of the 18th World Esports Championship (WEC26) in Banten, Indonesia.

The election will fill eight seats, split evenly across IESF’s four regions: Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, and Europe. IESF said no nation may hold more than one seat on the Committee. Members serve a three-year term.

Only athletes competing at WEC26 are eligible to vote, with voting scheduled for 12 to 17 December during the event. Confirmed candidates will be announced on 7 December, and IESF said each candidate profile will be published for voters to review. The federation plans to announce the new Committee members on 25 December 2026.

IESF said candidates must be 16 or over, be from a nation in one of the four regions, and meet at least two criteria: prior experience as an esports athlete, prior experience in esports, having worked with their National Federation in the past three years, or having represented their nation at an IESF-accredited event.

IESF President Vlad Marinescu said, “Athletes are the heart and soul of esports and integral to the direction of our federation, so they must help shape every decision made for and about them. This Committee is their voice, and it’s chosen by the athletes themselves through a transparent, democratic process. If you’ve competed for your nation and you have something to say, this is your moment to step up and raise your voice. Everything we do is for Esports athletes first!”