The Esports World Cup Foundation, the organisers of the Esports World Cup, has expanded its partner programme from 30 to 40 esports organisations.
The expanded EWCF Club Partner Program, which also includes $20m (~£ 15.6m) in funding, aims to focus on attracting more organisations from China, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
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Applications for organisations across the world opened on December 9th and will close on January 10th, 2025. According to a release, those accepted into the Esports World Cup Foundation’s programme will receive ‘six-figure funding’ to expand their existing fan base ahead of the 2025 Esports World Cup, a multi-title event taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Esports World Cup Foundation expects organisations applying to be part of the programme to have a record of strong performances across a range of esports titles in addition to a ‘substantial social media presence.’
Becoming a part of the EWCF Club Partner Program doesn’t guarantee entry to the tournaments that form the Esports World Cup. The operator states that ‘all clubs will be required to qualify through traditional methods’ to participate.
Launched in 2023, the Esports World Cup Foundation Partner Program was created to promote sustainability within the esports industry. According to the Esports World Cup Foundation, ‘up to eight’ top organisations from the EWC 2024 Championship ranking will receive direct invitations to the programme. The remaining spots will be available through the open application process.
Faisal bin Homran, Chief Product Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, spoke on the expansion: “The EWCF Club Partner Program represents a significant step forward in our ongoing mission to foster a thriving ecosystem for esports Clubs worldwide.
“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-favourite powerhouses in esports entertainment.”
Despite the aim of improving the long-term growth of the esports industry, the Esports World Cup Foundation continues to generate controversy from industry stakeholders due to the support of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. In recent years, discussions surrounding its human rights record have remained as the Kingdom looks to expand its presence across the world of entertainment and sport.
