EWC Club Program Aims to Elevate Cross-Game Competition Under Esports Club Banners, Promote More Sustainable Ecosystem Structure

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — February 5, 2024 – Esports World Cup (EWC) Foundation announced today the EWC Club Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to promote sustainable planning for multidisciplinary esports clubs, unite global fans of different esports titles under collective banners, and elevate the best athletes in the world under one consolidated competition. The inaugural Esports World Cup will crown the very first Esports World Cup Club Champion in the summer of 2024.

“The EWC Club Program enables clubs to build a sustainable pipeline for growth of both their existing teams and additional programs,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO, Esports World Cup Foundation. “Our goal is to help the clubs we collaborate with increase their brand visibility, compete in a world-class competition, and elevate esports as a global sport. Enabling the success and growth of esports teams and players will be a key piece of building the future of esports.”

The EWC Club Program open application process begins today. Esports clubs from across the globe are encouraged to apply at ewcclubprogram.com before the deadline of February 15, 2024. The EWC Program will be available to 28 clubs worldwide: 22 through a direct invitation, and six through an open application. Successful clubs are expected to have an established track record with a long-term strategy in the esports industry, have demonstrated the ability to build teams in one or more esport titles and have the ability to engage with a global fanbase. 

Clubs accepted into the Program that show competitive excellence, draw the most viewership, and generate social engagement leading up to and during the World Cup will be eligible for an annual six-figure payout. This incentive will offer a sustainable opportunity for the Clubs to maximize their participation in the World Cup, based not just on their competitive performance but also on their ability to grow their international esports fanbase. 

Additionally, the EWC Club Program will provide an initial springboard for accelerating the growth of the broader esports industry, and aid esports clubs in reaching their long-term vision. Through this incentive, the participating Clubs will be able to create and maintain world-class rosters in multiple esports titles, which will enable them to earn points towards the Club Championship.

The Program does not guarantee participation to any club in the Esports World Cup. All clubs aiming to compete will still be required to qualify through traditional methods to earn their spot in the tournament for each game.

Participation in the Esports World Cup is open for all clubs. Individual teams competing for their Club will earn points based on their success during all EWC tournaments across the eight-week competition and celebrations at a festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. By the end of the competition, the top points-earner will be recognized as EWC’s first-ever Club World Champion and will win their share of a staggering, soon-to-be-announced Club prize pool.