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Esports World Cup 2026 Club Partner Program Announces 40 Selected Organizations

The Esports Foundation has confirmed the 40 clubs selected for the Esports World Cup 2026 Club Partner Program, continuing its $20 million initiative to support the global esports ecosystem.


Text "EWC Foundation" on black background, labeled "Club Partner." Bold white font, indicating a partnership with the Esports World Cup.

Now in its third year, the program offers each participating organization up to $1 million in funding.


Along with the financial support, clubs also receive strategic backing, content opportunities, and international exposure ahead of EWC 2026, which takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.


The 2026 cohort is a solid mix of established names and rising regional powerhouses. Together, they reach over 300 million fans worldwide. From legacy organizations like Fnatic, T1, and Team Liquid to fast-growing clubs across India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, the lineup reflects just how global esports has become.


The Full List of 40 Club Partners

Here is the regional breakdown of all confirmed teams:

  • Europe: Fnatic, G2 Esports, Team Vitality, Team Heretics, MOUZ, NAVI, HEROIC, Gentle Mates, Team Liquid, Team Spirit, Virtus.pro

  • North America: 100 Thieves, Cloud9, NRG, Sentinels

  • China: Edward Gaming, JD Gaming, Weibo Gaming, All Gamers, Titan Esports Club, NIP.eStar

  • Korea: T1, Gen.G

  • Southeast Asia: ONIC, Team RRQ, Team Secret, Wolves Esports, GAM Esports

  • Japan: ZETA DIVISION, REJECT

  • India: S8UL, GodLike Esports

  • MENA: Team Falcons, Twisted Minds

  • Turkey: FUT Esports

  • Brazil/Latin America: FURIA, Fluxo W7M, Alpha7 Esports, Leviatán, 9z Globant

  • CIS: Team Spirit, Virtus.pro


New Faces in 2026

Nine organizations are joining the program for the first time this year. That is a notable shift, especially for regions that previously had limited representation.


The new additions are:

  • FUT Esports (Turkey)

  • NRG Esports (North America)

  • Fluxo W7M (Brazil)

  • 9z Team (Argentina)

  • Alpha7 Esports (Brazil)

  • GodLike (India)

  • GAM Esports (Vietnam)

  • Titan Esports Club (China)

  • Team Heretics (EMEA)


EMEA lost three slots compared to 2025, with those spots redistributed to Turkey, India, and Latin America. MENA also gave up one slot, which went to the Latin American region.


Nine Clubs Dropped from 2025

Not everyone made the cut. Nine clubs from the 2025 program did not return this year.

  • FaZe Clan

  • Karmine Corp (Karmine Corp)

  • LOUD

  • GAIMIN Esports (Gaimin Gladiators)

  • KOI (Movistar KOI)

  • BiliBili Gaming

  • EVOS Esports

  • POWR

  • Shifters (Team BDS)


The program follows an annual re-application structure. Past selection does not guarantee a return. Clubs are evaluated on competitive results, social media presence, fan engagement, and their ability to activate audiences around the EWC.


What the Program Actually Offers

It is worth clarifying what this program is and what it is not. Being selected does not give any club a guaranteed spot at EWC 2026 tournaments. Teams still need to qualify through each game's individual competitive pathway.


What the program does provide:

  • Up to $1 million in performance-based funding tied to social media reach and fan engagement

  • Access to the Superfan Program, which flew nearly 2,000 fans to Riyadh in 2025

  • A structured framework for content creation, watch parties, community events, and creator collaborations


Since launching in 2024, the Esports Foundation has invested over $100 million into clubs through the program and Club Championship combined. In the previous year, participating clubs generated more than 330 million campaign views and engaged over 10 million fans across 370 initiatives.


India Gets Double Representation

One of the bigger stories this cycle is India's expanded presence. S8UL returns for a second consecutive year, while GodLike Esports joins the program for the first time.


S8UL made history in the previous year as the first Indian organization in the Club Partner Program. They ran watch parties across 12 cities and turned their Mumbai gaming house into a dedicated EWC fan hub. Co-founder and CEO Animesh "Thug" Agarwal summed up their mindset heading into this year: "2026 as a year to go bigger across performance, content, and fan engagement while continuing to represent India at the highest level."


GodLike, founded by Chetan "Kronten" Chandgude, is one of the most recognized names in Indian esports, generating over 150 million monthly views. Their EWC selection also comes on the heels of signing an MoU with Maharashtra Cyber and Skyesports for grassroots esports development. Kronten described the moment as significant: "The program allows them to take their fan energy global, expand into new markets, and create fan experiences that go beyond competition."


India contributed 10.5 million viewers to EWC 2025. With two clubs now in the program, that number is expected to grow.


EWC 2026 at a Glance

  • Dates: July 6 to August 23, 2026

  • Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

  • Total Prize Pool: $75 million across 25 competitions in 24 games

  • Club Championship Prize Pool: $30 million for the top 24 organizations

  • Champion Club Prize: $7 million

  • Notable Addition: Fortnite Reload joins the EWC lineup for the first time


Team Falcons, who have won the Club Championship in both 2024 and 2025, will look to make it three in a row. Team Liquid and Team Vitality are expected to be the main challengers standing in their way.

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