S8UL and GodLike Esports Join 2026 Esports Foundation Club Partner Program
Major Milestone for Indian Esports
Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], April 1: The Esports Foundation (EF) has officially announced that two prominent Indian esports teams, S8UL and GodLike Esports, have been chosen for the 2026 Esports Foundation Club Partner Program. This initiative includes 40 leading esports organizations globally, aimed at fostering a sustainable and interconnected esports environment.
Now in its third year, this annual program, which has a budget of USD 20 million (around INR 189 crore), offers participating clubs funding of up to USD 1 million (approximately INR 9.4 crore). It also provides strategic assistance and international visibility to help clubs enhance their brands and reach wider audiences leading up to and during the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026.
S8UL made history last year as the first Indian organization to be part of this program and has since broadened its global footprint in both competition and content creation. The organization participated in EWC 2025 across various games, including Apex Legends, Chess, and EA FC, while also spearheading one of the largest fan engagement initiatives in Indian esports. They hosted watch parties in 12 cities and transformed their advanced gaming house in Mumbai into a dedicated fan hub for EWC, solidifying their status as a global esports and entertainment entity.
Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL, expressed, “Being selected for the Esports Foundation’s Club Partner Program for the second consecutive year validates our efforts at S8UL. Last year allowed us to demonstrate our competitive prowess and community strength on a global platform. This year, we aim to amplify that momentum by enhancing our performance, content, and fan engagement while continuing to represent India at the highest levels of esports.”
GodLike Esports, renowned for its competitive success in mobile esports and boasting one of the largest fanbases in India, has also been selected for the Club Partner Program for the first time this year. The organization competes in various titles and plays a significant role in shaping the narrative of Indian esports while promoting its mainstream growth. They will proudly represent India alongside S8UL at EWC 2026.
Chetan Sanjay Chandgude, CEO and Founder of GodLike Esports, stated, “This is a pivotal moment for us, not just as a team but as a community that has evolved with Indian esports. GodLike has always thrived on the support of its fans, and this opportunity allows us to take that energy to a global level. Through the Club Partner Program, we plan to broaden our reach into new markets, share deeper stories about our players and journey, and create meaningful fan experiences that extend beyond competition. We are thrilled to represent India on the world stage.”
As part of the Club Partner Program, both S8UL and GodLike will implement various initiatives throughout the season, including content creation, collaborations with creators, fan campaigns, and live events such as watch parties and community gatherings, enhancing the connection between fans and the clubs as well as the EWC.
Hans Jagnow, Director of Clubs, National Teams, and Player Relations at the Esports Foundation, remarked, “The Esports Foundation Club Partner Program connects with fans globally and transforms their esports experience. Over the years, it has provided a platform for clubs to strengthen their brands and engage with audiences, yielding significant results. With new clubs joining alongside established names in 2026, the program continues to grow in high-potential markets like Latin America, India, Turkey, and Southeast Asia, enriching the global esports ecosystem.”
The EWC 2026 is scheduled to occur in Riyadh from July 6 to August 23, featuring a staggering prize pool of USD 75 million (approximately INR 710 crore). The event will gather over 2,000 players and 200 clubs from more than 100 countries competing in 24 titles. Central to the tournament is the Club Championship, which will award $30 million (around INR 284 crore) to the top-performing organizations, underscoring the significance of multi-title excellence in contemporary esports.
The 40 clubs selected for the 2026 EWCF Club Partner Program include notable names such as 100 Thieves, Cloud9, Fnatic, G2 Esports, and many others. Since its inception in 2023, the program has invested over $100 million (approximately INR 948 crore) into clubs, supporting their development in competitive operations, marketing, and fan engagement.
The selected clubs collectively reach an audience exceeding 300 million fans worldwide, showcasing the impact of club-led communities in shaping audience engagement with competitive gaming. The 2026 cohort reflects the global reach and ongoing evolution of esports across various regions.
The EF Club Partner Program empowers clubs to grow and engage their audiences through content, campaigns, and live experiences throughout the season. In 2025, participating clubs achieved over 330 million campaign views and engaged more than 10 million fans through 370 initiatives, including original content, fan events, and digital activations.