The Esports World Cup Foundation is providing $20 million to expand partner clubs

the E-Sports World Cup The EWCF announced this week that it is expanding its Club Partner Program, its initiative to support the esports club ecosystem around the world. The program is expanding to 40 clubs, 10 more than the previous number, and has a $20 million investment in this expansion. Interested clubs can apply for membership until January 10, and those accepted will receive six-figure funding to grow their organization.

Of the 40 places, the EWCF plans to issue invitations to eight of the top clubs from the 2024 EWC Championship standings while leaving the other 32 places open for applications (member clubs must renew membership annually). This year, it plans to target key growth markets in China, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa region. Clubs must have a track record of high competitive performance as well as an engaged fan base on social media.

“The EWCF Club Partner Program represents an important step forward in our ongoing mission to foster a thriving ecosystem of esports clubs around the world while opening up opportunities for organizations from some of the fastest growing organizations in the world,” Faisal Bin Hamran, chief product officer at EWCF, said in a statement. -Growing eSports markets, such as China. Through this program, we enable partner clubs to engage fans with engaging content that goes beyond gaming, showcasing the personalities and talents of players, along with their origin stories, while also developing their club brands as fan-favorite forces in esports entertainment.

“The inaugural program has been an invaluable resource for our club, providing meaningful support that has strengthened our decision-making process to expand into new gaming titles,” Steve Arhanset, co-CEO of esports club Team Liquid, said in a separate statement. It contributed to one of the most successful competitive years in our 24-year history, including a strong second-place finish at the 2024 EWC Club Championships in the 24-minute distance. We are excited about the EWCF Club Partner Program in 2025 and the opportunities it provides as we continue to maintain our position as one of the most watched esports teams in the world.