The Esports Foundation (EF) today announced the 40 esports clubs selected for the 2026 Esports Foundation Club Partner Program, reinforcing its commitment to a sustainable and globally connected esports ecosystem.
Now in its third edition, the $20 million initiative builds on a proven framework, combining funding of up to $1 million per Club with strategic guidance and international exposure, to support Clubs in expanding their brands and audiences leading up to and throughout the Esports World Cup 2026.
Over the past three years, more than $100 million has been distributed directly to Clubs across the Club Partner Program and the Club Championship, supporting development in competitive operations, marketing, and fan engagement. The program establishes a distinctive model for partnership in global sport, enabling Clubs to access funding to grow their brands and audiences through marketing and storytelling that showcase players’ personalities, talent, and journeys.
The selected Clubs reach a combined audience of more than 300 million fans worldwide, underscoring the influence of Club-led communities in shaping audience engagement with competitive gaming. Spanning North America, Europe, MENA, China, Korea, Southeast Asia, India and Latin America, the 2026 cohort reflects the global reach and continued development of esports across regions.
“The Club Partner Program is one of the cornerstones of how we are building a sustainable and globally connected esports ecosystem,” said Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer of the Esports Foundation. “By combining strategic investment with a platform that empowers Clubs to tell their stories and engage fans worldwide, we are strengthening the foundations of competitive gaming. The 40 Clubs selected for the 2026 edition reflect the diversity and ambition of esports across all regions. Together, we are shaping experiences that unite audiences, grow talent, and reinforce Riyadh’s position as the global capital of gaming and esports.”
With a balanced roster, the program includes nine from Europe, six Clubs from China, and five from North America, alongside Southeast Asia (four), Brazil (three) and Latin America (two). India strengthens its presence with two Clubs, while Türkiye joins the program for the first time, alongside the returning clubs from Japan, Korea, MENA and the CIS.
The 40 Clubs selected for the 2026 EF Club Partner Program are, in alphabetical order: 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.
“Partnering with the Esports Foundation is a pivotal leap toward our global vision,” said Musaed Al-Dossary, CEO of Team Falcons. “It’s more than just support; it’s a catalyst for Team Falcons to push the boundaries of creativity and professionalism. This collaboration empowers us to tell our players’ inspiring stories and connect with our fans on a deeper level. As we gear up for the Esports World Cup 2026, our goal remains clear: to elevate the competitive scene and represent the Kingdom with pride on the world stage.”
Ibrahim Bin Jibreen, Founder & CEO of Twisted Minds, added: “For us at Twisted Minds, the Club Partner Program is a golden ticket to explore uncharted territories in content and fan engagement. The Esports Foundation’s support is game-changing, allowing us to build a world-class competitive infrastructure and launch campaigns that truly resonate globally. We aren’t just participating in this evolution; we are here to lead it, creating unforgettable experiences for our community and shaping a thriving future for esports together. We aim to be an integral part of this remarkable evolution”.
The EF Club Partner Program enables Clubs to grow and activate their audiences through content, campaigns and live experiences across the season. In 2025, participating Clubs delivered more than 300 million campaign views and actively engaged over 10 million fans across more than 370 initiatives, which included original content, fan events and digital activations. More than 130 watch parties were hosted globally, while the Superfan program offered opportunities for Clubs’ most passionate fans to travel to Riyadh and support them throughout the season, bringing over 2,000 Superfans through the program to the EWC 2025 arenas last summer.
Clubs are selected based on an annual review of competitive results, fan engagement, and evaluation of strategic vision and marketing proposals. Eight received direct invitations through the 2025 EWC Club Championship final standings, with the remaining places filled via an open application process attracting more than 175 applicants worldwide.
Membership does not guarantee qualification for the Esports World Cup 2026. All Clubs must qualify through official competition pathways.
