Some 40 leading esports organisations including GAM Esports from Vietnam join 2026 Esports Foundation Club Partner Programme.
GAM Esports, a leading Vietnamese esports club, has been selected for the 2026 Esports Foundation Club Partner Programme, joining 40 top organisations in a global initiative aimed at building a more sustainable and connected esports ecosystem.
Now in its third year, the programme has an annual budget of USD 20 million and provides participating clubs with funding of up to USD 1 million, along with strategic support and international exposure ahead of and during the Esports World Cup 2026.
Since its launch in 2023, the initiative has invested more than USD 100 million across its club partner programme and club championship, supporting development in competitive operations, marketing and fan engagement.
The programme introduces a distinctive partnership model in global sport, enabling clubs to access funding to expand their brands and audiences through marketing and storytelling that highlight players’ personalities, talent and journeys.
The 40 selected clubs collectively reach more than 300 million fans worldwide, underscoring the growing influence of club-led communities in shaping how audiences engage with competitive gaming.
Spanning North America, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, China, the Republic of Korea, Southeast Asia, India and Latin America, the 2026 cohort reflects the expanding global reach of esports.
As part of the programme, GAM Esports will roll out a series of initiatives throughout the season, including content production, creator collaborations, fan campaigns and live experiences such as watch parties and community events.
“The Esports Foundation club partner programme reaches fans globally and changes the way they experience esports,” said Hans Jagnow, director of clubs, national teams and players relations at the Esports Foundation.
The programme enables clubs to grow and activate audiences through content, campaigns and live experiences. In 2025, participating clubs generated more than 300 million campaign views and engaged over 10 million fans across 370 initiatives, including original content, fan events and digital activations.
More than 130 watch parties were held worldwide, while the superfan programme brought over 2,000 fans to Esports World Cup 2025 arenas in Riyadh.
