2026 Esports Foundation Club Partner Program
40 Elite Esports Clubs Selected to Esports Foundation’s $20M Club Partner Program, Reaching Over 300 Million Fans Worldwide
The Industry-leading initiative, now in its third year, has invested over $100 million into Clubs to date, providing up to $1 million per Club to support growth and expand global audiences.
Now in its third edition, the $20 million initiative builds on a proven framework, combining funding of up to $1 million per Club with strategic guidance and international exposure, to support Clubs in expanding their brands and audiences leading up to and throughout the Esports World Cup 2026.
Over the past three years, more than $100 million has been distributed directly to Clubs across the Club Partner Program and Club Championship, supporting development across competitive operations, marketing and fan engagement. The program establishes a distinctive model for partnership in global sport, enabling Clubs to access funding to grow their brands and audiences through marketing and storytelling that showcase the personalities, talent, and journeys of players.
With a balanced roster, the program includes nine from Europe, six Clubs from China, and five from North America, alongside Southeast Asia (four), Brazil (three) and Latin America (two). India strengthens its presence with two Clubs, while Türkiye joins the program for the first time, alongside the returning clubs from Japan, Korea, MENA and the CIS.
The 40 Clubs selected for the 2026 EF Club Partner Program are, in alphabetical order: 100 Thieves, 9z Globant, All Gamers, Alpha7 Esports, Cloud9, Edward Gaming, Fluxo W7M, Fnatic, FURIA, FUT Esports, G2 Esports, GAM Esports, Gen.G, Gentle Mates, GodLike, HEROIC, JD Gaming, LEVIATAN, MOUZ, NAVI, NIP.eStar, NRG, ONIC, REJECT, S8UL, Sentinels, T1, Team Falcons, Team Heretics, Team Liquid, Team RRQ, Team Secret, Team Spirit, Team Vitality, Titan Esports Club, Twisted Minds, Virtus.pro, Weibo Gaming, Wolves Esports, ZETA DIVISION.
The selected Clubs reach a combined audience of more than 300 million fans worldwide, highlighting the influence of Club-led communities in shaping how audiences engage with competitive gaming. Spanning North America, Europe, MENA, China, Korea, Southeast Asia, India and Latin America, the 2026 cohort reflects the global reach and continued development of esports across regions.
How does the EF Club Partner Program 2026 work?
Clubs will receive a six-figure base funding to grow their organization in 2026 and activate their brand, players and fans during Esports World Cup 2026. Additional funding is provided through different activities, campaigns and bounties, leading up to EWC26, based on merit and metrics.
A Club's acceptance and participation in the program does not guarantee a spot at the Esports World Cup 2026. All Clubs will be required to qualify through traditional methods to earn their spot in each game’s EWC tournament.
EF has developed a series of initiatives that bring Clubs and fans closer together. Starting in 2025, this included the Super Fan Program, which brought nearly 2,000 fans from around the world to Riyadh to support their favorite Clubs live at the Esports World Cup. The Super Fan Program is designed to recognize and reward the most dedicated supporters and turn their passion into on-site support for Clubs and players on the global stage. In 2026, participating Clubs can expect an even bigger Super Fan Program with co-branded campaigns that help them identify, activate, and reward their top fans across digital channels and live events.
Hans Jagnow
Director, Club & Player Relations
The Esports Foundation Club Partner Program reaches fans globally and changes the way they experience esports,” said Hans Jagnow, Director, Clubs, National Teams and Players Relations at the Esports Foundation. “Over the past editions, it has created a platform for Clubs to strengthen their brands and engage with audiences, and we’re seeing the results of that in the impact it delivers. With new clubs joining alongside established names in 2026, the program continues to expand in high-growth markets such as Latin America, India, Turkey, and Southeast Asia, enhancing the global character of the ecosystem
Club Program FAQ
The Club Partner Program, launched in 2023, is an industry-leading program which includes top tier esports clubs from around the world. It focuses on uniting esports fans across all game ecosystems through its partnered clubs, with the goal of growing the global fanbase of esports.
Each successful Club that joins our program will be eligible for a performance-based six-figure payout directly tied to the Club's ability to grow their following and engagement with their fans leading up to and during the Esports World Cup 2026.
We will accept a total of 40 Clubs into the Program: up to eight top Clubs from the EWC 2025 Championship ranking will receive direct invitations, while the remaining spots will be filled through the open application process.
EWC Club Program applicants will need to be existing private entities with a history of competition in multiple esports games, with a tenure of success in domestic and international tournaments. Clubs should apply as individual entities; consortiums or partnered applications are not allowed.
No, The program does not provide any competitive advantages in the tournament. All partnered clubs will follow the same rules and regulations as non-partnered clubs and have to run through the game-specific qualification systems for each title.
Please contact clubprogram@esportsworldcup.com. Please note that due to the high number of applications we cannot answer general inquiries about the current status of the application and the process.
About the Esports Foundation
The Esports Foundation (EF) is a non-profit organization based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, dedicated to advancing and professionalizing the global esports industry. Through the annual Esports World Cup (EWC) and the biennial Esports Nations Cup (ENC), EF brings together the world's top players, leading Clubs, and millions of fans for the biggest stages in competitive gaming. Beyond hosting tournaments, the Foundation works year-round to grow the esports ecosystem, support talent development, and create lasting opportunities for players, teams, and partners worldwide.
