Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The Esports Foundation (EF) has officially announced the selection of 40 leading esports clubs for its 2026 Club Partner Program, reaffirming its commitment to building a sustainable and globally connected esports ecosystem.
Now in its third edition, the $20 million initiative continues to expand its impact by offering up to $1 million in funding per club, alongside strategic guidance and international exposure. The program is designed to support clubs in growing their brands and engaging wider audiences in the lead-up to and throughout the Esports World Cup 2026.
Over the past three years, EF has distributed more than $100 million directly to esports clubs through its Club Partner Program and Club Championship. This investment has significantly contributed to the development of competitive performance, marketing strategies, and fan engagement initiatives across the industry. The program has also introduced a unique model for global sports partnerships, enabling clubs to tell compelling stories that highlight player talent, personalities, and journeys.
The selected clubs collectively reach an audience of over 300 million fans worldwide, underlining the growing influence of club-driven communities in shaping the future of competitive gaming. Representing regions including North America, Europe, MENA, China, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, and Latin America, the 2026 cohort reflects the continued global expansion of esports.
Hans Jagnow, Director of Clubs, National Teams and Player Relations at EF, stated that the program has transformed how fans experience esports globally. He noted that the initiative has successfully helped clubs strengthen their brands and deepen audience engagement, while also expanding into high-growth markets such as Latin America, India, Türkiye, and Southeast Asia.
The 2026 lineup features a diverse and balanced regional representation, including nine clubs from Europe, six from China, and five from North America, along with participants from Southeast Asia, Brazil, Latin America, India, and Türkiye, which joins the program for the first time.
Industry leaders have also highlighted the program’s impact. Fabien “Neo” Devide, Chairman and Co-founder of Team Vitality, emphasized how the initiative has enabled deeper connections with global fans and showcased the growing influence of esports on a worldwide scale. Similarly, Joe Marsh, CEO of T1, noted that the program provides a powerful platform to tell player stories, strengthen community engagement, and expand fan experiences both locally and internationally.
The program continues to drive fan interaction through innovative content, campaigns, and live experiences. In 2025 alone, participating clubs generated over 300 million campaign views and engaged more than 10 million fans across 370 initiatives. These included digital activations, live fan events, and over 130 global watch parties. Additionally, the Superfan program brought more than 2,000 dedicated fans to Riyadh to support their teams during the Esports World Cup events.
Clubs are selected through a rigorous annual evaluation process that considers competitive performance, fan engagement, and strategic vision. While eight clubs secured direct invitations based on their performance in the 2025 Esports World Cup Club Championship, the remaining spots were filled through a competitive application process that attracted over 175 applicants worldwide.
It is important to note that participation in the Club Partner Program does not guarantee qualification for the Esports World Cup 2026. All clubs must still qualify through official competitive pathways.
