Japan is getting its first-ever Esports Research Network Conference and the timing couldn’t be better. The Esports Research Network (ERN) has confirmed that its flagship annual gathering, the Esports Research Network Conference (ERNC) 2026, will take place at the University of Tsukuba from September 15 to 17. The three-day international summit is organized alongside the Entertainment and Gaming Research Association (EGRA) and GAKU, as reported by The Esports Radar.
This marks the first time the ERNC has been held in Japan. The event carries the theme "Bridging Gaming Heritage and Esports Futures: Transformations, Traditions, and Tomorrow,” which is a deliberate nod to Japan's influence on the global development of competitive gaming.
