Esports World Cup Foundation Partner Program Expands

The Esports World Cup Foundation has announced an expansion of its club partner program for the 2025 summer competition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The initiative, which is funded by the Saudi government’s Public Investment Fund, will increase its capacity from 30 to 40 participating organizations. To support this growth, the foundation has allocated $20 million in funding, a notable increase from the approximately $16.8 million provided to 28 organizations during the 2024 cycle.

The program aims to incentivize top-tier esports organizations to field competitive rosters across multiple game titles while actively promoting the event. Accepted clubs receive six-figure financial support, with eligibility criteria focused on a proven track record of competitive performance, a substantial social media presence, and the ability to engage a global fanbase. Similar to the previous year, the foundation has tied additional bonuses and incentives to the promotional activities performed by these organizations on social media and other digital platforms.

The application window for the 2025 program remains open until January 10, 2025, though the foundation has already granted direct invitations to eight top-performing clubs from the 2024 championship. While the program serves as a significant financial injection for the participating teams, it continues to face scrutiny from international human rights organizations regarding the broader context of Saudi government-backed investments in global sports and entertainment. Concerns have also been raised regarding the stability of rosters, as some organizations previously released players immediately following the conclusion of the tournament.