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The Esports World Cup Foundation announced today that 30 esports clubs from around the world have been accepted to its inaugural EWCF club support program. 100 Thieves is part of the full list, along with Blacklist International (Cluster9), Cloud9 (FaZe Clan), Fnatic, Furia Esports, G2 Esports, Gaimin Gladiators, Gen.G Esports, Guild Esports, Karmine Corp, LGD Gaming, LOUD, OG, Natus Vincere, Ninjas in Pyjamas, NRG Esports
The EWCF’s Club Support Program is an innovative initiative that promotes the creation of a sustainable infrastructure for multidisciplinary Esports Clubs. The program also empowers esports clubs to invest in more games and provide career opportunities to athletes all over the world.
These esports organisations can receive funding in the six-figure range as members of the EWCF Club Support Program. This will allow them to diversify their competitive footprint, and provide more opportunities for athletes. The funding has enabled esports clubs to:
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Enter new games with a strong grassroots appeal and re-enter titles where they previously had a long history of involvement.
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Signing athletes and rosters from outside your home region will help you to expand into new markets, thereby fostering a stronger global esports industry.
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Hire the necessary staff to support these efforts. Create new content verticals that engage fans through compelling athlete stories.
The Program has increased the number available slots to 30 in response to the interest shown by Clubs around the globe. Eight of the 30 Clubs were selected in February 2024 through an open application process, where the EWC Foundation received over 150 applications. The applications were evaluated based on three main criteria: the Club’s esports history, its competitive strategy, goals and creative approach, as well as its innovative content and fan engagement. The 30 Clubs come from five major esports areas: Europe, Asia and North America. South America is also represented.
Ralf R. Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said that “the Club Support Program” is essential to EWC Foundation’s vision for building a stronger ecosystem in esports and elevating it as a global sport. We received so many applications of high quality that we increased our initial allocation of Club Support Program slots from 28 to 30. This is a testament to our program, which supports some of the best esports clubs in the world. I’m thrilled to support these Clubs in their quest to qualify for Esports World Cup, with its $60 million prize pool.
The acceptance of a Club into the EWC Club Support Program is not a guarantee that they will be able to participate in the Esports World Cup. All athletes and Clubs must qualify for each title on their own merits. All EWC participants are eligible for the prize pools of each Game Championship and cross-game EWC Club Championship. All EWC Club Support Program members will receive annual financial rewards regardless of whether they qualified for the Esports World Cup.
Club Championship is an innovative, cross-game format that is unique to EWC. The top 16 Clubs will receive a total of 20 million dollars based on the performance they have shown across games. The Club that has the best performance in the various game championships at the end of the event will be named the first Esports World Cup Club champion. Each of the 20 Game Championships has its own prize pool, with a total value exceeding $33 Million. Each competition will award a $50,000 MVP Award to the participant who excels in it.
