The Esports Foundation Club Partner Program 2026 is Here

What’s the Club Partner Program all about?

Now in its third edition, this $20 million initiative is designed to create a sustainable and globally connected esports ecosystem. Each club will receive funding of up to $1 million, along with strategic guidance and international exposure. This support aims to help clubs expand their brands and reach new audiences leading up to and throughout the highly anticipated Esports World Cup 2026.

A Proven Track Record

Over the past three years, the EF has distributed over $100 million to clubs through the Club Partner Program and Club Championship. This funding has empowered teams to enhance their competitive operations, marketing efforts, and fan engagement. The program is a game-changer, establishing a unique partnership model that allows clubs to grow through storytelling that highlights the personalities, talents, and journeys of their players.

Meet the 2026 Club Partners

The 40 Clubs selected for the 2026 EWCF 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.

A Global Reach

The selected clubs collectively boast an impressive audience of more than 300 million fans worldwide. This emphasizes the vital role club-led communities play in shaping the way audiences engage with competitive gaming. The diverse 2026 cohort includes clubs from North America, Europe, the MENA region, China, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, and Latin America, showcasing the vibrant growth and expansion of esports across the globe.

Clubs are selected based on an annual review of competitive results, fan engagement, and evaluation of strategic vision and marketing proposals. Eight received direct invitations through the 2025 EWC Club Championship final standings, with the remaining places filled via an open application process attracting more than 150 applicants worldwide.

Voices from the Clubs

“The Club Partner Program gives us the platform to build around our players and the moments that define our season,” said Joe Marsh, CEO of T1. “We want fans to follow that journey closely through our players’ stories and the voices of the community behind our team that bring it to life. At the same time, we’re scaling how fans come together, from our T1 Base Camp locations in Seoul and Busan to our international T1 tour fan events, T1 Home Ground LCK matches, and dedicated superfan experiences around our biggest matches. It allows us to take what defines T1 at home and carry that experience to a global audience.”

Through the Club Partner Program, we’ve been able to connect our global fans with the key moments that have defined Team Vitality’, said Fabien “Neo” Devide, Chairman and co-founder of Team Vitality. “For every triumph at the EWC, the Hive’s presence has been felt and seen by millions of viewers around the world as we continue to move closer to claiming the EWC Club Championship trophy. The scale and energy of the event, followed by fans at home and around the world, showed just how influential esports has become – as we carry Team Vitality’s colours onto the biggest stage in esports.”

Support Your Favorite Club

As we gear up for the Esports World Cup 2026, remember that club membership doesn’t guarantee qualification. All clubs must qualify through official pathways. Cheer on your favorite club as they embark on this journey towards the Club Championship.