The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) announced the top 40 esports Clubs that have been accepted into the EWCF Club Partner Programme, an industry-leading initiative designed to promote the sustainable growth of esports organidations. The $20 million programme offers participating Clubs up to $1 million in funding to expand their brand and grow their global audience through innovative content and marketing campaigns leading up to and throughout the Esports World Cup 2025.

Since 2023, the EWCF has supported esports Clubs with a carefully aligned funding model that contributes to the Club Partner Programme members’ financial stability and brand growth. To achieve this, the 2025 Programme will focus on fueling global fan growth across all borders and games through impactful storytelling and creative campaigns.

Leveraging EWCF support, the 40 Partner Clubs, reaching over 300 million fans, will drive global growth by creating compelling experiences and content that deepen their connection with fans worldwide, including behind-the-scenes production, player documentaries and live fan experiences that excite their communities. The 2025 programme offers modular funding for campaigns that engage fans, tell EWC-related stories and enable Club-driven innovation.

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“The EWCF Club Partner Program is a cornerstone of our mission to build a sustainable future for esports Clubs worldwide while creating opportunities for organizations from some of the world’s fastest-growing markets. This year’s 40 partnered Clubs represent a diverse and dynamic cross-section of global esports, spanning legacy organizations, rising stars and global powerhouses that collectively define the rich history and the rapidly evolving future of the industry. By investing in their growth, the program will enable Clubs to expand their audience and reach, strengthen their brands, and gain greater visibility through fan-first content, shaping the future of esports as a global sport and mainstream entertainment,” said Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation.

With this year’s focus on high-growth regions, the 2025 EWCF Club Partner Programme represents a truly global roster, including six Clubs from China, alongside additions from rapidly expanding markets like Japan, India and LATAM. The full lineup of Clubs, in alphabetic order: 100 Thieves, All Gamers, Bilibili Gaming, Cloud9, Edward Gaming, EVOS, FaZe Clan, Fnatic, FURIA, G2 Esports, Gaimin Gladiators, Gen.G, Gentle Mates, HEROIC, JD Gaming, Karmine Corp., Movistar KOI, LEVIATAN, LOUD, MOUZ, NAVI, NIP.eStar, ONIC, POWR, REJECT, S8UL, Sentinels, T1, Team BDS, Team Falcons, Team Liquid, Team RRQ, Team Secret, Team Spirit, Team Vitality, Twisted Minds, Virtus.pro, Weibo Gaming, Wolves Esports, ZETA DIVISION.

The 2025 Club Programme applications in China were supported by Tencent E-Sports, who have facilitated the process for 20 Clubs that have applied. Six Clubs were selected, including All Gamers, Bilibili Gaming, Edward Gaming, JD Gaming, Weibo Gaming and Wolves Esports—China’s most dominant teams, engaging over 125 million Chinese fans through gaming, entertainment and lifestyle content. Additionally, eStar, as part of NIP, has also been added to the lineup, further serving the expansion of the Club Partner Programme in China and activating Chinese fans.

All Clubs were selected through a rigorous evaluation process that reviewed nearly 200 applications. This included assessing their competitive track record in the Club Championship in 2024, their potential across multiple games, social media presence, fan engagement and their strategic plans for activating their global esports audience. Eight Clubs received direct invitations based on their EWC 2024 Club Championship ranking, while the remaining spots were allocated through an open application process. Nineteen Clubs joined for the first time, and 21 returned from the inaugural year.

“Esports is evolving faster than ever, and the EWCF Club Partner Program is driving that evolution by giving Clubs the tools to grow, engage fans, and compete at the highest level. EWC 2024 was a defining moment for us—winning points in five games, two podium finishes, and securing a top-four finish at the Club Championship. The scale and energy of the event proved just how influential esports has become. We’re proud to be part of the program again, fueled by the enthusiasm of French fans who continue to support and inspire us as we look to elevate our game, win as many tournaments as possible, and carry Team Vitality’s colours high on the biggest stage in esports,” said Fabien “Neo” Devide, Chairman and co-founder of Team Vitality.

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“As one of the fastest growing esports organizations in North America, we are delighted to join the EWCF Club Partner Program. Continuing the momentum of our success in 2024, including a major win in VALORANT and significant growth across our social channels reaching millions of fans in North America and beyond, the addition of VALORANT to the Esports World Cup is the perfect time for us to become an official partner and deliver new and exciting content to an even wider audience,” said Rob Moore, CEO of Sentinels.

“Since Day One, All Gamers has chased esports glory—pushing non-stop for over 20 years. With years of hard work from our teams, we’ve scored big wins in top games and trained legends in the scene. Competing at the 2024 EWC against the world’s best, that fire burns bright. Now joining EWCF’s Club Partner Program, here’s our hope: When fans worldwide see Chinese esports through AG, they won’t just recall epic comebacks, but our crew’s unstoppable spirit—cutting through challenges like a blade. That combination of grit and grace—that’s China’s gift to the global esports race,” said Le Kedeng, Chairman of All Gamers.

Membership in the EWCF Club Partner Programme is subject to annual renewal in line with the Programme’s requirements, reflecting the dynamic nature of the esports industry. A Club’s participation in the programme does not guarantee a spot at the Esports World Cup 2025. All Clubs are required to qualify through official qualification pathways to earn their spot in each game’s EWC tournament.

The HERO ESPORTS Asian Champions League (ACL), Asia’s premier multi-title esports tournament hosted by Asia’s leading Esports company Hero Esports, has announced that a total of six spots for the Esports World Cup are up for grabs in ACL Teamfight Tactics Tournament. Details regarding the tournament format, schedule and prize pool have also been unveiled.

The ACL Teamfight Tactics Tournament is set to commence on April 15 and will conclude on May 18. The total prize pool for the tournament amounts to $150,000, with six teams earning direct entry to the Esports World Cup.

Unlike previous Teamfight Tactics events, the ACL Teamfight Tactics Tournament features a 4V4 team battle format. This emphasis on teamwork will offer the audience a fresh and engaging viewing experience.

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The ACL Teamfight Tactics Tournament is structured into three stages: Regional Qualifiers, Asian Challenge and ACL Grand Finals.

Registration for the tournament will open on March 23 and close on March 31. Teams must register in groups of four players. The Regional Qualifiers will be divided into APAC and CN regions. The eight highest-ranking teams from the APAC region and the seven highest-ranking teams from the CN region will qualify for the Regional Qualifiers. Team rankings are determined by the total points accumulated by the top three players in each team at the registration deadline. These points are calculated based on performance in the TFT Open, Tactician’s Crown and Regional Finals over the latest three seasons.

In the Regional Qualifiers, four teams from each region (APAC and CN region) will advance to the Asian Challenge through online competitions. The APAC Qualifier will take place from April 15 to 18, whereas the CN Qualifier is scheduled from April 24 to 27. Additionally, the top three teams from each region will secure spots in the Esports World Cup, while the fourth and fifth teams from each region will qualify for the Last Chance Qualifier of EWC.

In the Asian Challenge, which will take place from May 8 to 11, a total of eight teams from the Regional Qualifiers will compete for three spots in the Finals.

• After securing a top-4 finish and cementing its place among the world’s leading esports clubs, Team Vitality returns to the Esports World Club Program for a second consecutive year, aiming to continue its success by hoisting World Cup trophies.

• Driven by its ambition to become the best esports club in the world, Team Vitality is setting bold objectives for the 2025 Esports World Cup. This global competition presents a key opportunity to reinforce its status as an esports powerhouse by fielding top-tier rosters and competing for every title. Because in esports, every win counts.

Leading esports club Team Vitality is proud to announce its return to the Esports World Cup (EWC) for the 2025 edition. As an official Club Partner of the Esports World Cup Foundation, Team Vitality is set to showcase its competitive excellence on the global stage and reaffirm that performance is at the core of its identity. Over and above the performance, this type of major event allows us to continue to globalise the Team Vitality brand and increase our visibility around the world.

And this year, the French club is more determined than ever to win its flagship games (Counter-Strike, VALORANT, Rocket League, MLBB, RENNSPORT) and to spring a surprise on others (TFT, Chess, etc.). For the EWC Club Championship, Team Vitality is determined to make history alongside its global fan community!

NEW YEAR, NEW AMBITIONS, NEW GAMES

Launched in 2023, the Club Partner Program is a pioneering initiative that brings together top-tier esports clubs from around the world. Designed to unite esports fans across various game ecosystems, the program aims to expand the global esports community and elevate the sport’s reach and impact. After securing a top-four finish at last year’s inaugural tournament, Team Vitality is aiming for even greater success at the 2025 Esports World Cup.

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With the introduction of new titles such as VALORANT and Chess to the competition, the EWC enables Team Vitality to expand its competitive ambitions across multiple disciplines. The club recently welcomed chess grandmaster Maxime ‘MVL’ Vachier-Lagrave as its first professional chess player and made a dominant statement in VALORANT by winning the VCT EMEA Kickoff with its star-studded roster.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE ESPORTS HISTORY IN FRONT OF OUR FANS

Competing at this prestigious international event presents a unique opportunity to solidify its place among the world’s best esports organizations. As one of the most renowned global competitions, the EWC has become a key milestone for leading clubs and a catalyst for accelerating international expansion through strategic roster acquisitions.

Team Vitality Co-Founder and President Fabien “Neo” Devide comments: “We are excited to join the Esports World Cup Foundation as an official Club Partner for 2025. This partnership reinforces our commitment to excellence on the global stage and our ambition to reach new heights. Our objective is clear: every win counts and brings us closer to being the best. The EWC presents a unique opportunity to showcase our strength across multiple esports disciplines and secure prestigious titles for our fans and legacy.”

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