S8UL and GodLike join 40 global clubs in Esports World Cup 2026 partner programme
Two of India's biggest esports organisations will represent the country on the global stage this year after being named in the Esports Foundation's 2026 Club Partner Program. S8UL returns for a second consecutive year while GodLike Esports makes its debut in the programme, which includes 40 clubs from across the world.
What the programme offers
Each club in the programme can receive up to $1 million in funding from a total pool of $20 million. Beyond the money, the Esports Foundation provides strategic support and international exposure designed to help clubs grow their brands and reach new audiences. Participation does not guarantee qualification for the Esports World Cup itself. Teams still need to earn their spot through standard competitive pathways.
S8UL builds on last year's foundation
S8UL became the first Indian organisation to enter the Club Partner Program in 2025. They used the platform to host watch parties across 12 Indian cities and turned their Mumbai gaming house into an EWC fan hub. This year they are expected to run similar activations, including content creation, creator collaborations, and community events throughout the season.
GodLike plans to expand its reach
GodLike Esports has said it will use the programme to push into new markets and invest in deeper storytelling around its players. The organisation plans digital campaigns, creator collaborations, and community activations as part of its first year in the programme. India has been identified as a key growth region by the Esports Foundation, which partly explains why two Indian clubs now sit among the 40 selected.
EWC 2026 in numbers
The Esports World Cup 2026 runs from July 6 to August 23 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The total prize pool sits at $75 million, with $30 million of that reserved for the Club Championship, which ranks organisations based on results across multiple game titles. Separately, India will compete in 11 titles at the Esports Nations Cup 2026 in Riyadh from November 2 to 29, with Nodwin Gaming managing the national team programme.
Cricket Updates
