The Esports World Cup Foundation has announced the expansion of its Club Partner Program for 2025, raising the number to 40 clubs.
Image Credit: Esports World Cup Foundation
Esports World Cup Foundation will support clubs with another $20 million in funding
According to a release, the Club Partner Program is accepting applications for 2025, with strong opportunities for clubs across China, Southeast Asia, LATAM, and MENA.
Up to eight clubs from the EWC 2024 Championship ranking will receive direct invitations, while the remaining spots will be available through the open application process. Accepted teams will receive six-figure funding to grow their organization’s brand in 2025 and activate their fanbase leading up to and during the Esports World Cup 2025.
Applications process will last one month
The program, initially developed in 2023 to promote sustainable growth for esports organizations, will see the expansion from 30 to 40 clubs, with another $20 million investment. Last year, 22 teams received direct invitations while the remaining eight were selected from over 175 applications.
Membership in the EWCF Club Partner Program is subject to annual renewal. This means all clubs must apply again, from December 10 until January 10, 2025. All participating Clubs will be announced in February 2025 following the completion of the selection process.
The Esports World Cup Foundation is a non-profit organization and is the organizing party behind the Esports World Cup, which takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In 2024, the EWC saw players and clubs compete for a share of the $60 million prize pool across 21 game titles.
Faisal bin Homran, Chief Product Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, said: “The EWCF Club Partner Program represents a significant step forward in our ongoing mission to foster a thriving ecosystem for esports Clubs worldwide while unlocking opportunities for organizations from some of the world’s fastest-growing esports markets, like China. Through this program, we enable partnered Clubs to attract fans with engaging content beyond the games, showcasing the personalities and talent of players, alongside their origin stories, while also developing their Clubs’ brands as fan-favorite powerhouses in esports entertainment.”