A major European club has left the Esports Foundation Club Partner Program

The organizers of Esports World Cup 2026 announced that HEROIC has left the partner program following the disbandment of its Dota 2 roster and the organization's decision to leave the discipline.

Representatives of the program announced this on their official X account:

Due to recent internal organizational changes, HEROIC no longer meets the requirements and has therefore agreed to leave the Esports Foundation partner program.

It is worth recalling that at the beginning of May, HEROIC announced the disbandment of its Dota 2 roster. Representatives of the organization explained the decision by insufficient financial results and difficulties in maintaining a competitive project.

The Esports Foundation partner program is one of the largest initiatives aimed at supporting esports organizations. In 2026, 40 clubs from around the world became part of the program, while its total budget reached $20,000,000.

Participants can receive up to $1,000,000 in funding, as well as marketing, strategic, and media support.

Organizations are selected based on several criteria, including team results, fan-base activity, the club's media presence, and long-term development plans.

At the same time, participation in the program does not guarantee a direct invite to the Esports World Cup, as all organizations must qualify through the Road to EWC system.

The Dota 2 tournament at Esports World Cup 2026 will take place from 06.07.2026 to 18.07.2026, where 24 teams will compete for a $2,000,000 prize pool.

Earlier, Cyberscore reported that EWC 2026 could be held outside Saudi Arabia for the first time.