Expansion of Esports World Cup's Club Partner Program Includes Million-Dollar Prizes
In its inaugural year, the Esports World Cup not only initiated one of the largest esports competitions ever, but it also launched a club partner program, offering additional funds to top esports teams beyond the event's prize money. Various factors dictated how this extra money was allocated and which organizations were involved, primarily to aid financially the teams sending multiple squads to the World Cup.
Now, the Esports World Cup is returning in 2025, and so is its club partner program, boasting a revised format and substantial payouts up to $1 million for top-ranking teams.
This updated version of the club partner program is expanding its scope and widening its reach even further than before. Initially, 30 teams were part of the program, but this year it will extend to 40, with the top eight teams from the 2024 Esports World Cup club championship earning direct invitations. The remaining teams will be determined through an application process, prompting esports organizations worldwide to submit their applications within the forthcoming weeks.
Faisal Bin Homran, chief product officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, commented, "The EWCF Club Support Program introduced in 2023 aimed to empower clubs to prepare for the distinctive concept that the Esports World Cup presented within the esports ecosystem. The 2025 phase of the program now encompasses 40 clubs and will invest $20 million to support clubs in expanding their global esports fanbase. Furthermore, the program reinforces its commitment to expanding in significant high-growth markets, including China, Southeast Asia, LATAM and MENA."
Competitive, multidisciplinary organizations with a strong brand are the preferred candidates for the club partner program, according to Bin Homran. However, this year, there is an emphasis on embracing teams from markets beyond Europe and the US, with a particular focus on China, SEA, LATAM, and MENA.
Bin Homran explained, "These markets host some of the globe's rapidly expanding and flourishing gaming communities, with millions of people playing and watching games daily, often via mobile devices. The Esports World Cup's objective is to unite players, clubs, games, and communities worldwide, and the Esports World Cup is a distinctive platform for achieving this goal. The Esports World Cup Club Partner Program is another measure to achieve our aim."
Securing a place in the partner program will not be a simple task, given that over 175 teams submitted applications last year, and that number is expected to surge this time around. Nevertheless, for the teams that make it in, it could turn out to be a profitable alliance, subject to several team entries qualifying for EWC that summer, which is not guaranteed. The tournament will expect these teams to create content, broadcast the event to their audiences, and generally promote the world of esports to the broadest audience possible. This could potentially net the top teams up to $1 million.
Bin Homran acknowledged, "A six-figure base reward will be granted equally to all clubs in the program; furthermore, funding related to various campaigns, initiatives, and activities will be distributed throughout the season to help clubs reach their objectives: strengthening and expanding their connections with existing fanbases and reaching wider international audiences. This additional funding will be based on the overall impact each club had on the success of these aspects. Consequently, top-performing clubs can earn up to $1 million annually."
The Esports World Cup is no stranger to doling out substantial sums of money, with the previous year's tournament boasting a $60 million prize pool. However, this partnership program is not just about offering teams extra cash. The goal is to broaden the overall esports audience, especially in the target regions for 2025. By incorporating more teams from various regions, there's a hope that more individuals will be introduced to diverse games throughout the EWC and grow the overall esports fanbase as a whole. Additionally, encouraging teams to create content and promote the event aims to amplify the overall recognition of esports within mainstream culture.
Bin Homran concluded, "Through this program, our focus is to assist partnered clubs in connecting with broader international audiences, showcasing the talent, personalities, and storylines that make esports a premier entertainment product. Our ambition is to collaborate with the world's leading esports brands and welcome clubs from the key regions—China, Southeast Asia, LATAM, and MENA—to unite in growing the esports fanbase, ensuring that all clubs can grow sustainably beyond their competitive success."
The Esports World Cup's club partner program, which will invest up to $20 million in 2025, is expanding its scope to include 40 clubs, with a focus on teams from China, Southeast Asia, LATAM, and MENA. To be considered for the partner program, competitive, multidisciplinary organizations with a strong brand are preferred, including those from the targeted regions.
Faisal Bin Homran, chief product officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, stated that the goal of this program is to assist partnered clubs in connecting with broader international audiences and growing the esports fanbase, especially in the target regions for 2025. This effort aims to collaborate with leading esports brands and welcome clubs from key regions, promoting sustainable growth beyond competitive success.
In addition to the $1 million payouts for top-ranking teams, the club partner program offers a six-figure base reward to all participating clubs, with additional funding based on their overall impact on the success of various campaigns, initiatives, and activities. To secure a place in the partner program, teams must submit applications within the forthcoming weeks and fulfil requirements such as creating content, broadcasting events, and promoting esports to a wider audience.
