Esports World Cup Foundation Launches Support Program for Top Teams Including FaZe and Liquid, Announces $60 Million Festival

The Esports World Cup (EWC) Foundation recently announced the inclusion of 30 esports organizations into its new club support program, aimed at enhancing the sustainability of multidisciplinary esports clubs. High-profile teams such as FaZe, Liquid, Cloud9, and G2 are among those accepted into this initiative, which offers six-figure financial support to help expand their operations.

This program rewards its members annually, basing financial incentives on their ability to attract viewers and engage fans during the Esports World Cup events. Despite being accepted into the support program, it does not necessarily assure a club's participation in the Saudi festival associated with the World Cup.

In response to a robust interest demonstrated by over 150 applications received in February, the EWC Foundation expanded the program from 28 to 30 slots. Selection was competitive, with criteria focusing on each club's history in esports, strategic future competitive goals, and innovative approaches to content creation and fan interaction. While eight of the chosen members were picked based on these standards, the remaining 22 were directly invited by the foundation.

The Esports World Cup itself is set to replace the previous Gamers8 event, running from July 3 to August 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The festival promises an extensive eight-week schedule, featuring 20 tournaments and a cumulative prize pool of $60 million. Notably, the Counter-Strike tournament, scheduled for July 17-21, will feature teams like FaZe, Spirit, and Natus Vincere competing for a $1 million prize.