The Esports Foundation has revealed the 40 organizations selected for its 2026 Club Partner Program, continuing its $20 million initiative aimed at strengthening the global esports ecosystem.
Now in its third year, the program will once again provide participating clubs with up to $1 million in funding, alongside strategic support, content opportunities, and international exposure in the lead-up to the Esports World Cup 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
While the headline figures remain unchanged from 2025, the program continues to emphasize fan engagement, storytelling, and global audience growth as key pillars for participating organizations.
A global ecosystem built around esports clubs
The 2026 cohort brings together a mix of established esports giants and emerging regional leaders, collectively reaching more than 300 million fans worldwide.
From legacy brands like Fnatic, T1, and Team Liquid to fast-growing organizations in regions such as India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, the lineup reflects the increasingly global nature of esports.
The initiative continues to position clubs not just as competitive teams, but as central drivers of fan engagement through content, campaigns, and live experiences. In 2025, participating organizations generated over 300 million campaign views and engaged more than 10 million fans across hundreds of activations, including watch parties and international fan events.
All 40 teams in the Club Partner Program 2026
Here is a look at all the confirmed teams in the Club Partner Program 2026 across the regions:
| Region | Teams |
|---|---|
| Europe | Fnatic, G2 Esports, Team Vitality, Team Heretics, MOUZ, NAVI, HEROIC, Gentle Mates |
| North America | 100 Thieves, Cloud9, NRG, Sentinels, Team Liquid |
| China | Edward Gaming, JD Gaming, Weibo Gaming, All Gamers, Titan Esports Club, NIP.eStar |
| Korea | T1, Gen.G |
| Southeast Asia | ONIC, Team RRQ, Team Secret, Wolves Esports, GAM Esports |
| Japan | ZETA DIVISION, REJECT |
| India | S8UL, GodLike |
| MENA | Team Falcons, Twisted Minds |
| Türkiye | FUT Esports |
| Brazil | FURIA, Fluxo W7M, Alpha7 Esports |
| Latin America (non-Brazil) | Leviatán, 9z Globant |
| CIS | Team Spirit, Virtus.pro |
No direct qualification to EWC
Despite the financial backing and visibility offered through the program, selection does not guarantee a spot at the Esports World Cup 2026. All participating clubs must still qualify through official competitive pathways.
Teams were chosen through a combination of direct invitations based on 2025 Esports World Cup Club Championship results and an open application process that attracted more than 175 applicants worldwide.
With funding steady but expectations evolving, the Esports Foundation’s Club Partner Program continues to position clubs at the center of esports’ global growth, where audience engagement and brand-building now play as crucial a role as results on the server.
