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The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has this morning opened applications for the 2025 EWCF Club Partner Program, offering funding to esports organisations.
The Program, developed in 2023 ‘to promote sustainable growth for esports organisations’, will expand from 30 to 40 orgs for 2025. ‘Up to eight top clubs from the EWC 2024 Championship ranking’ will receive direct invitations, while the remaining spots available through an open application process
EWCF is offering $20m in investment overall ‘to grow the global esports fanbase’, with each of the accepted orgs each receiving six-figure funding ‘to activate their fanbase leading up to and during the Esports World Cup 2025’.
Applications close on January 10th 2025, with the chosen orgs announced in February.
The inaugural Esports World Cup took place this summer, and the next iteration will once again be hosted in Saudi Arabia.
The 30 clubs in the 2024 Club Support Program included UK-based orgs Fnatic, Guild Esports and Tundra Esports.
EWCF said in a press release:
“Partnered Clubs are expected to have an established track record of elite competitive performance across multiple games, as well as a substantial social media presence with the ability to engage and grow a global fanbase.”
Esports World Cup Foundation
“Participating Clubs will be able to access Program funding by engaging their fanbase with their brands throughout the esports year – so fans can follow storylines leading up to the Esports World Cup, watching tournaments online and experiencing live matches during the season.
“This year the Program doubles down on international expansion, emphasising key growth markets like China, Southeast Asia, LATAM and MENA.
“Membership in the EWCF Club Partner Program is subject to annual renewal, in line with the Program’s requirements, reflecting the dynamic nature of the esports industry. A Club’s acceptance and participation in the program does not guarantee a spot at the Esports World Cup 2025. All Clubs will be required to qualify through traditional methods to earn their spot in each game’s EWC tournament.”
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 organizsations 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.”
“By taking part in the EWC Club Partner Program this year, we had opportunities to further invest in our players, operations and community, creating an environment where we could perform at our best and compete at the highest level,” added Joe Marsh, CEO of T1.
“This program is a true global initiative that unites clubs to help build a stronger and more sustainable esports ecosystem. We’re excited about the Club Partner Program in 2025, and how it will help us elevate T1 to even greater heights.”
Joe Marsh, T1
Steve Arhancet, Co-CEO, Team Liquid, commented: “The inaugural program was an invaluable resource for our club, providing meaningful support that strengthened our decision-making to expand into new game titles. It contributed to one of the most successful competitive years in our 24-year history, including a strong second-place finish in the EWC 2024 Club Championship in 24′.
“We’re excited for the EWCF Club Partner Program in 2025 and the opportunities it brings while we continue to maintain our position as one of the most watched esports teams in the world.”
To apply, or for more info, you can visit esportsworldcup.com/clubprogram
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
