The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWC) has confirmed the 40 clubs in the $20 million Club Partner Program initiative.
This is the third iteration of the program, which gives out up to $1m per club as well as strategic guidance and international exposure to support clubs in expanding their brands and audiences ahead of the Esports World Cup 2026.
The EWCF claims that last year’s version led to more than 300 million campaign views and engaged over 10 million fans across more than 370 initiatives, which included original content, watch parties, and digital activations.
Competition for this additional funding was fierce. Eight clubs earned direct invitations based on the 2025 Club Championship standings, while the EWCF then received over 175 applications for the remaining 32 slots.
Due to this, some major names in the esports industry missed out on the additional funding and partnership, including FaZe, LOUD, Karmine Corp, and Movistar KOI, which are all teams with significant regional support.
Nine teams were part of last year’s initiative and missed out on the partnership this year. They are:
- Bilibili Gaming
- EVOS
- FaZe Clan
- Gaimin Gladiators
- Karmine Corp
- Movistar KOI
- LOUD
- POWR
- Team BDS
According to KCorp’s former CEO Arthus Pericoz, this will likely lose the organisation around $200-300k compared to last year.
Meanwhile, teams that are newly part of this year’s program are:
- 9z Globant
- Alpha7 Esports
- Fluxo W7M
- FUT Esports
- GAM Esports
- GodLike
- NRG
- Team Heretics
- Titan Esports Club
Esports World Cup 2026 Partner Program Clubs
The 40 Partner Clubs with successful applications or qualification through last year’s Club Championship are:
- 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
However, being part of the Partner Program does not qualify any of these clubs for the Esports World Cup 2026. Organisations will still have to qualify for each individual event.
Will any team be able to compete with Team Falcons in the Club Championship? Share your predictions with us on the Insider Gaming Discord.
And see what organisations will represent their countries at the Esports Nations Cup, with over 100 partners confirmed so far.
