The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has officially announced that applications are now open for the 2026 Club Partner Program, reinforcing its long-term mission to build a sustainable, globally connected esports ecosystem.
The $20 million initiative continues the proven framework of previous editions, offering support to 40 world-leading esports Clubs. The program aims to help organizations grow their global footprint and boost fan engagement across major regions such as India, China, Southeast Asia, and LATAM.
Applications are open worldwide until December 18, 2025, via the official website
Direct Invitations for 2026
Eight Clubs will receive direct invitations based on their ranking in the 2025 Esports World Cup Championship. Pending acceptance, the invited Clubs include:
- Team Falcons
- Team Liquid
- Team Vitality
- Twisted Minds
- Virtus.pro
- AG.AL
- Gen.G Esports
- Weibo Gaming
The remaining slots will be filled through the open application process.
Success of the 2025 Program
In 2025, the EWCF reviewed nearly 200 applications and selected 40 Clubs, including organizations from China, Japan, India, and LATAM. Among them, 19 were new participants, while 21 returned from the inaugural cohort—showcasing the program’s growing credibility and continued influence across the global esports ecosystem.
Through various campaigns and community-driven initiatives, the 2025 Program connected Clubs with over 330 million fans worldwide, including 125 million in China alone.
The list of Clubs selected for the 2026 edition will be revealed in January 2026, following the completion of the evaluation phase.
To read the full announcement, visit the official website. Stay updated by following the Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn and across their social media channels for the latest news on Esports World Cup 2026.