30 Teams Selected for the Esports World Cup Club Support Program

Key insights

6 slides

New initiative

The Esports World Cup Foundation launched a Club Support Program for 30 organizations.

It provides financial grants to selected clubs.

Number of esports organizations selected for the Club Support Program.

Original allocation of slots: 28
Applications received: 150+

Strategic backing

The program is part of a broader investment strategy by the Saudi Arabian government.

The Public Investment Fund backs this initiative, with operations facilitated by the ESL FACEIT Group.

Like a major investor funding a startup incubator, this program provides foundational support for esports organizations.

Funding Source. The Esports World Cup is funded by the Saudi Arabian government via its Public Investment Fund and is facilitated by the ESL FACEIT Group.

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Summary

The Esports World Cup Foundation has finalized the selection of 30 professional esports organizations for its inaugural Club Support Program. This initiative aims to foster sustainable infrastructure within the industry by providing six-figure financial grants to participating clubs. These funds are intended to support expansion into new gaming titles, facilitate entry into international markets, and develop new content verticals to enhance fan engagement.

The selection process was highly competitive, drawing more than 150 applications during an open period that began in February 2024. Due to the high volume of qualified candidates, the foundation increased its original allocation from 28 to 30 slots. Organizations were evaluated based on their historical esports pedigree, future competitive strategies, and creative approaches to audience interaction. The final list of selected clubs includes prominent global entities such as 100 Thieves, Cloud9, FaZe Clan, Fnatic, G2 Esports, Gen.G, Team Liquid, and TSM, among others.

While acceptance into the program provides financial support, it does not guarantee participation in the Esports World Cup tournament itself. However, member clubs remain eligible for additional annual financial rewards contingent upon their ability to drive viewership and engagement for the event. The program is part of a broader investment strategy backed by the Saudi Arabian government’s Public Investment Fund, with operations facilitated by the ESL FACEIT Group. This initiative reflects a significant capital injection into the global esports ecosystem, aimed at elevating the profile of the sport through a multi-million dollar prize pool and structured organizational support.