EWCF unveils 40 esports clubs for 2025 Club Partner Program with $20 million investment

March 18, 2025

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EWCF unveils 40 esports clubs for 2025 Club Partner Program with $20 million investment

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has officially announced the names of 40 esports clubs accepted into the 2025 EWCF Club Partner Program. This pioneering programme is designed to support the sustainable development of esports organisations through financial support and brand extension initiatives. With an investment of $20 million, the programme offers up to $1 million to each of the chosen clubs to produce creative content and marketing campaigns in the run-up to and during the Esports World Cup 2025.

Overview of the EWCF Club Partner Program

The EWCF Club Partner Program is designed to support esports organisations financially and strategically. This initiative plays a crucial role in ensuring clubs can engage with their global fan base while developing new storytelling methods and marketing strategies.

The 2025 EWCF Club Partner Program aims to provide financial support of up to $1 million per club, expand global audience connections, encourage clubs to produce compelling content through creative campaigns, and ensure the long-term sustainability of competitive gaming organisations.

Selection process for the program

The application process for the 2025 EWCF Club Partner Program was highly competitive, with nearly 200 clubs applying. The selection process considered their competitive record in the 2024 Club Championship, popularity and engagement across multiple games, social media influence and reach, and strategic plans for expanding their audience.

Eight clubs were given direct invitations based on their 2024 Esports World Cup Club Championship ranking, while the remaining slots were filled through an open application process. Nineteen clubs are new to the programme, while twenty-one are returning from the previous year.

40 Global Esports Clubs selected for 2025

The 2025 EWCF Club Partner Program features a diverse lineup of esports clubs from across the world. This includes established legacy teams, rising esports stars, and global powerhouses.

China has a dominant presence in the EWCF Club Partner Program, with six clubs securing spots: All Gamers, Bilibili Gaming, Edward Gaming, JD Gaming, Weibo Gaming, and Wolves Esports. Supported by Tencent E-Sports, these clubs collectively engage over 125 million Chinese fans through their gaming content and influence on their lifestyle.

40 Esports Clubs for Partner Program 2025.
Image credit: Esports World Cup.

EWCF CPO Faisal Bin Homran’s vision

Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer at EWCF, emphasised the programme’s role in creating opportunities for organisations from some of the world’s fastest-growing markets.

Homran stated, “The EWCF Club Partner Program is a cornerstone of our mission to build a sustainable future for esports clubs worldwide while creating opportunities for organisations from some of the world’s fastest-growing markets. This year’s 40 partnered clubs are a cross-section of the diverse and dynamic esports that exist globally, ranging from legacy brands, breakout stars, and international powerhouses combined that represent the rich history and the fast-evolving future of the sport. Through their investment in growth, the programme will allow clubs to build out their audience and reach, grow their brands, and achieve increased visibility through fan-first content, building the future of esports as a sport for the masses and mainstream entertainment.”