The Esports World Cup Foundation brought a lot of attention to the sector last year with the inaugural Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A driving factor for this attention was not only the size of the event, but its industry record prize pool of $60m.
Last week, the Esports World Cup Foundation revealed that this year’s event will feature a prize pool of more than $70m, shattering last year’s record. However, the organisation has stated that the event is about long-term sustainability, not just short-term gain.
Insider Sport sat down with Fabian Scheuermann, Chief Games Officer at Esports World Cup Foundation, to learn more about how initiatives like its Club Partner Program are central to these plans.
Insider Sport: How does the new Club Partner Program work, and what benefits does it offer to clubs and players?
Fabian Scheuermann: The Club Partner Program is our industry-first initiative that is designed to promote the sustainable growth of esports clubs. The program was developed in 2023, when we were working on the inaugural EWC, and launched in 2024.
The program itself supports clubs via a strategic funding model that rewards clubs’ growth and expansion into new competitive titles, which in turn puts clubs in a better position to compete for the EWC Club Championship.
The 2025 Club Partner Program expands from 30 to 40 clubs and makes a $20m investment available to clubs to grow their brands and global audiences. In addition, this year, the program doubled down on expanding in key high-growth markets, and we had six clubs from China joining the program, alongside clubs from Southeast Asia, Latin America, and MENA.
IS: What has been the feedback from clubs on the program so far?
FS: As we know, esports is a rapidly growing industry, but it is also highly competitive and requires a lot of resources. The financial support from the program helps clubs to scale up, strengthen their brands, and gain greater visibility through fan-first content. It also allows them to invest in competing in new games, signing new players, and grow into new projects or regions.
All of our members have experienced the benefits of the program first-hand. It’s a very important part of our mission to build a sustainable future for esports clubs worldwide while also creating opportunities for organisations from some of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
IS: EWC 2025 will feature a record-breaking prize pool. Do you think this reflects the true value of esports, or could it create potential challenges in terms of sustainability and player expectations?
FS: The $70m+ prize pool at EWC 2025 is both a reflection of the growth and maturity of esports and a signal of our long-term commitment to the ecosystem. It recognises the incredible talent and dedication of players and clubs, while creating life-changing opportunities at every level of competition.
That said, we’ve always been clear: this is not about short-term spectacle, but about sustainable growth. Our focus is on building an ecosystem that lasts well beyond a single event. That’s why, alongside the prize pool, we’re investing in game publishers’ competitive circuits, supporting grassroots pathways, and helping clubs grow their brands and communities for the long term.
The prize pool is one part of a much bigger picture. It helps to inspire and elevate the scene, but it’s our partnerships, infrastructure investments, and support for players and creators that will sustain the industry and ensure esports continues to thrive for generations to come.
IS: How will the EWC use its connections with boxing and other sports to boost the tournament’s appeal?
FS: The growth of esports and traditional sports continues to converge globally, and we see that as a real opportunity. At the EWC, we’ve already welcomed games like Chess, which bridges the gap between one of the world’s most enduring games and digital competition – and you never know what could come next.
While our focus remains on delivering the best esports experience, considering adding titles that have a natural connection to esports and the communities that live within it. With the continued technological advancement of virtual sports – who knows, maybe virtual boxing is even a possibility in a few years time!
IS: The esports industry saw massive growth during COVID-19 but faced challenges post-pandemic. How do you view the current state of esports, and what role does EWC 2025 play in its recovery or ‘right-sizing’ efforts?
FS: Esports really exploded during the pandemic, as people turned to gaming for connection and entertainment. Now, the industry is building on that momentum with stronger foundations and a clear focus on long-term growth, and the EWC is taking on an industry-leading role in that regard.
If you zoom out, gaming has grown tremendously in the last 20 years – more players, more engagement, more participation, year after year. Esports has grown hand-in-hand with gaming, and we see huge potential ahead with mainstream events like the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in 2027. Fans everywhere love games, whether they’re playing or watching, and that community keeps getting bigger.
That’s exactly what the EWC is about: helping push that growth forward. For 2025, we expanded to 24 games and 25 competitions, bringing in new titles like Chess, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, Crossfire and VALORANT, and we’re deepening our role with the Olympic Esports Games. As the Founding Partner for the Games, we’re excited about using our expertise to further bridge the gap between esports and traditional sports.
Moves like these bring fresh energy, new opportunities for players, and unite communities all over the world. With big investments in competitive circuits, new partnerships with publishers, and our Club Partner Program, we’re making sure EWC helps build a stronger, more sustainable future for esports – for players, clubs, publishers, and fans.
IS: Finally, what new features or changes in EWC 2025 set it apart from the last tournament?
FS: Our collaborations with Activision Blizzard, Capcom, Competition Company, Chess.com, EA Games, Garena, Krafton, Moonton, Riot Games, SNK, Smilegate, Tencent, Ubisoft, Valve, are helping build a stronger, more sustainable esports ecosystem – supporting professional structures and creating the ultimate platform for games to grow and reach new global audiences.
EWC 2025 is set to be the largest celebration of esports to date – and we’re only getting started.
