The Esports World Cup Club Program is one of the most coveted systems in esports today, a prestigious circle that every professional team worldwide strives to join. Beyond the prestige, it offers significant financial and strategic benefits, but entry isn’t easy. 

This year, only 40 teams made the cut, representing top-tier organizations from every corner of the globe, from Asia to South America. With such a diverse and elite lineup, we decided to take a closer look at who’s backing these teams. And the sponsorship landscape reveals some fascinating insights.

Which teams boast the highest number of partnerships? Which top organization surprisingly runs almost partner-free? And which brands lead the pack by partnering with the most teams? All this and much more is unpacked in our exclusive breakdown of the EWC 2025 Club Program sponsors.

Team sponsorship overview

One clear leader in the EWC 2025 Club Program is T1, boasting an impressive roster of 18 partners across various categories. They are followed by Team Vitality with 12 sponsors, then G2 Esports, Karmine Corp, and Team Liquid. Interestingly, while T1 represents Asia, the other top teams are European: though Team Liquid, despite its global reach including North America and Asia, is considered primarily European due to its headquarters.

A notable trend among bigger, more established teams is a clear differentiation in partnership tiers. For example, organizations like T1 and Natus Vincere distinguish between sponsors as partners, supporters or suppliers. T1 even categorizes its sponsors further into premier, lead, and main partners, reflecting different levels of involvement and support.

At the other end of the spectrum, India’s S8UL Esports has just one partner (iQOO), which was secured specifically for EWC, suggesting the team might be without sponsors post-event. Surprisingly, FaZe Clan, a highly renowned organization with numerous titles and seemingly abundant sponsorship opportunities, has only two partners: SteelSeries and Rollbit.

Some other interesting insights include:

• 
  

  The most sponsored North American team in the Club Program is 100 Thieves with 9 partners, while in South America it’s LOUD with 7.

• 
  

  Chinese teams predominantly work with local partners from China.

• 
  

  Similarly, teams from the MENA region mainly have sponsors from within MENA.

Brand partnerships: Who’s leading the game?

If the EWC 2025 Club Program teams are the stars on stage, then the brands behind them are the powerhouses working the spotlight. This year’s lineup of sponsors is impressively varied — we tracked 210 unique brands connected to the 40 participating teams, spread across 19 categories and even a few one-of-a-kind cases. One of the quirkiest? The lo-fi YouTube channel Lofi Girl, which partnered with French organization Gentle Mates.

The sponsorship mix shows just how wide esports’ commercial appeal has become. Endemic companies (particularly those in Electronics and Gaming Peripherals) are still the backbone of the scene, with 31 brands in this category alone. Food and Beverage comes in a close second at 28, showing how much lifestyle products have embedded themselves into esports culture.

Some trends stand out: the automotive industry has a surprisingly strong footprint, with more representatives than the gaming chair or general furniture sectors. Health-focused partnerships are also making a mark, and crypto-related sponsors, once seen as a fading trend, are clearly regaining ground.

When it comes to the most active brands, familiar names dominate. Red Bull is in a league of its own, backing 11 different Club Program teams in 2025.

They’re followed by peripheral giants Logitech G (7 teams), Razer (6), and Zowie (5). One of the bigger surprises is Visa, partnering with 4 teams, a tally higher than tech heavyweights like ASUS ROG, Blacklyte, or Samsung.

Regional sponsorship insights

Looking at sponsorships through a regional lens reveals clear differences in both scale and variety. European teams are the undisputed leaders, topping the charts not only in the number of sponsors, but also in the breadth of categories they cover. They feature partners across all 20 categories we identified and work with a remarkable 106 unique brands.

Asia trails behind Europe slightly, but not by much: teams from the region boast 84 unique brands across 18 categories. The diversity here is partly driven by the presence of Chinese organizations, whose sponsorship portfolios often consist almost entirely of domestic brands, giving the region a distinct local flavor.

South America and MENA lag behind in total sponsorship count, though it’s worth noting they also have fewer teams in the Club Program compared to Europe and Asia. 

Several trends stand out across regions:

• 
  

  Betting and gambling sponsors appear predominantly with teams from Europe and South America, where regulations are less restrictive.
  

• 
  

  Web3 and crypto sponsors, the fifth most popular category overall, are notably absent from South American and MENA teams.
  

• 
  

  Smartphone manufacturers tend to focus their partnerships on Asian teams — unsurprising given the region’s strong mobile gaming culture.
  

• 
  

  Asia also leads in the number of partnerships in Electronics / Gaming Peripherals, the single most popular sponsor category in the Club Program.

The EWC 2025 Club Program’s sponsorship map offers more than just a collage of brand logos, it’s a readout of each team’s audience strategy. From Red Bull’s dominance among energy drink fans to the influx of lifestyle, automotive, and niche cultural brands, these partnerships reveal who teams are trying to reach, which markets they’re betting on, and how the esports economy is shifting in real time.

In an era where traditional media empires crumble under the weight of shifting consumer habits and digital disruption, Playboy’s transformation offers a compelling case study in reinvention. Once synonymous with print culture and a bygone era of celebrity culture, the brand is now repositioning itself as a licensing powerhouse, leveraging its iconic status to generate recurring revenue in a post-traditional media landscape. This pivot—from asset-heavy operations to an asset-light model—signals a strategic repositioning that could redefine its value proposition for investors.

The Asset-Light Revolution

Playboy’s shift to an asset-light strategy has been nothing short of dramatic. Under CEO Ben Kohn, the company has prioritized licensing over direct-to-consumer retail and digital content production. This approach minimizes operational overhead while maximizing the reach of the Playboy brand. For Q2 2025, licensing revenue surged 105% year-over-year to $10.9 million, driven by minimum guaranteed royalties and new partnerships in gaming, beauty, and grooming. The Byborg licensing deal alone contributed $5 million in guaranteed royalties, with an additional $20 million expected by July 2025.

This strategy has already translated into financial stability. Adjusted EBITDA turned positive at $3.5 million in Q2 2025, compared to a $2.9 million loss in the same period in 2024. Net losses have also halved, from $16.7 million to $7.7 million, as the company sheds underperforming assets and focuses on high-margin licensing.

Strategic Licensing as a Recurring Revenue Engine

The key to Playboy’s success lies in its ability to monetize its brand through licensing. Unlike traditional media models that rely on subscription fatigue or ad revenue volatility, licensing offers a more predictable income stream. The company’s China licensing expansion, for instance, grew 54% year-over-year even excluding the Byborg deal, demonstrating the scalability of its approach.

Moreover, Playboy is diversifying into high-growth categories. The recent foray into gaming and beauty—industries with strong consumer engagement and brand loyalty—positions the company to tap into new demographics. A Playboy-branded hospitality venue in Miami Beach further underscores the brand’s ambition to create immersive experiences that amplify its licensing value.

Risks and Opportunities

While the asset-light model reduces capital expenditures, it is not without risks. Licensing revenue depends on the performance of third-party partners, and over-reliance on a few key deals (like Byborg) could expose the company to volatility. Additionally, the brand’s legacy as a symbol of a bygone era may limit its appeal to younger audiences unless it evolves its image through strategic content and partnerships.

However, the company’s strong cash position—over $30 million in liquidity—and its focus on optimizing operations provide a buffer. The Great Playmate Search, a fan-voting contest with paid participation, also hints at a broader strategy to engage audiences directly while monetizing brand equity.

Investment Implications

For investors, Playboy’s transformation presents a unique opportunity. The shift to licensing aligns with broader trends in brand monetization, where intellectual property (IP) becomes a currency in itself. Companies like Nike and Disney have long demonstrated the power of licensing to generate recurring revenue, and Playboy is now following a similar playbook.

The key question is whether the company can sustain its licensing momentum. If it continues to secure high-margin deals and expand into new categories, its asset-light model could deliver consistent growth. However, investors should monitor the performance of its key partners and the company’s ability to innovate beyond its historical image.

Conclusion

Playboy’s strategic repositioning is a masterclass in adapting to a post-traditional media world. By shedding physical assets and embracing licensing, the company has unlocked a path to sustainable revenue and reduced financial risk. While challenges remain, the early results—strong EBITDA, declining losses, and a robust pipeline—suggest that the Playboy brand is far from obsolete. For investors with a medium-term horizon, this transformation offers a compelling case for long-term value creation, provided the company continues to execute its licensing vision with discipline and creativity.

In the end, Playboy’s story is not just about a brand’s survival—it’s about reinvention in an age where adaptability is the only constant.

Nintendo of America has partnered with the Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance (ISEA) to bring its titles into competitive school-based gaming programs for students in grades 4 through 12.

Nintendo is partnering with the Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance (ISEA) to bring competitive gaming to students in grades 4 through 12. Starting this fall, schools across 23 states will run tournaments using Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Splatoon 3 on Nintendo Switch systems.

ISEA is a nationwide coalition of educator-led esports programs serving K–12 students. Its affiliated organizations include state-level bodies such as the Texas Scholastic Esports Federation and Garden State Esports in New Jersey.

Digital access included for participating schools

Nintendo will provide digital game codes and Nintendo Switch Online memberships at no cost as part of the partnership. The initiative will reach more than 80,000 elementary, middle, and high school students through school-organized tournaments and events.

Danielle Johnson, president at ISEA, says, “We are so excited to partner with Nintendo as we continue to grow and expand competitive gaming opportunities for students across the country. Games are a fun, communal experience. We want to make gaming accessible to as many students as possible regardless of their previous gaming experience.”

ISEA highlights the potential for esports to offer new forms of student engagement, particularly for those who may not participate in traditional extracurriculars.

The partnership builds on Nintendo’s recent efforts to support school and community-based tournaments. In 2023, the company updated its guidelines to simplify the process for running nonprofit events involving its games.

Bill Trinen, vice president of player and product experience at Nintendo of America, says, “We support kids who want to celebrate their passion — or discover a new passion — by getting involved in memorable cooperative and competitive play experiences. Working closely with the ISEA ensures that we are creating a fun experience that is open to everyone.”

Nintendo partners with Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance to promote gaming competitions among students. Starting this fall, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Splatoon 3 games will be used for school-organized tournaments and events for grades 4-12. The partnership aims to make gaming more social, accessible, and rewarding, reaching over 80,000 students across 23 states.

Nintendo of America has announced a partnership with the Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance (ISEA) to introduce gaming competitions among students across the United States. The collaboration aims to make gaming more social, accessible, and rewarding, particularly for elementary, middle, and high school students.

Starting this fall, the partnership will utilize Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Splatoon 3 games for school-organized tournaments and events. These games will be available on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch – OLED Model systems, reaching over 80,000 students across 23 states.

The initiative seeks to provide students with an engaging and inclusive platform for competitive gaming, fostering social interaction and healthy competition. The ISEA, which represents educator-run scholastic esports organizations, is committed to empowering students through gaming experiences that promote social, emotional, and academic growth.

As part of the partnership, Nintendo will provide a substantial number of Nintendo Switch Online memberships and digital game download codes at no cost. This support is intended to make gaming accessible to students who may not have previously engaged in competitive activities.

The collaboration builds upon Nintendo’s ongoing efforts to support and expand the esports community. In November 2023, Nintendo updated its official guidelines and application portal for hosting not-for-profit, small-scale community tournaments. This partnership with the ISEA is another step in creating a fun and inclusive gaming environment.

For more information about the ISEA and its affiliated organizations, visit their official website: www.iseaesports.org. Additional details on Nintendo’s official tournament guidelines can be found here: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/63433/~/community-tournament-guidelines.

References:
[1] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250812630712/en/Nintendo-Partners-With-Interstate-Scholastic-Esports-Alliance-ISEA-to-Welcome-Students-to-Competitive-Gaming

Look back with us at the beloved building’s legacy, and ahead to the site’s extraordinary future

On a drizzly Tuesday morning, the first blow landed as a hydraulic excavator bit into the side of the Hyslop Sports Center at UND. As chunks of concrete tumbled to the pavement below — and the building was opened to the rain — each crunch and thud served as a punctuation mark of sorts, closing a vital, seven-decade-long chapter in the University’s history.

On Aug. 5, the long-anticipated demolition of Hyslop began after asbestos abatement was completed earlier this spring. But the demolition marks not just another construction project on UND’s ever-evolving campus. It also represented a final farewell to a building that hosted countless life-shaping experiences, according to Cierra Roebuck Hangsleben, a former UND athlete and athletic operations staff member, who spoke at an “Honoring Hyslop: UND Fan Luncheon” in November 2024.

“There are many people who helped shape the Hyslop, and in the end, the Hyslop shaped us into the people we are today,” said Roebuck Hangsleben at the event.

A building’s legacy

Built amid a postwar enrollment boom in 1951, the building — then known simply as the Fieldhouse — quickly became a cornerstone of UND life. When it opened, it was the second-largest building in North Dakota, a symbol of a University on the rise.

For decades, the Fieldhouse was home to UND basketball, volleyball, track and field, swimming and countless other sports. It also served as a cultural gathering place, welcoming the public for everything from youth swim lessons to annual Indigenous powwows that filled the space with the event’s characteristic song, dance and color. In addition to UND-sponsored events, several United States presidents also visited Hyslop. John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan all visited Hyslop, with Kennedy receiving an honorary degree during his visit.

In 1981, the facility was renamed the Hyslop Sports Center in honor of former UND basketball player and benefactor W. Kenneth Hyslop. And since its construction, it has been a hub for events that offered many defining experiences on UND’s campus — from the roar of basketball crowds to the tearful goodbyes of commencement, and even concerts by major acts such as John Mellencamp and Metallica — the Hyslop offered students and community members unforgettable moments in their lives.

The Hyslop’s unique ability to bring UND and the Greater Grand Forks community together cemented it as a centerpiece, not just for UND but for Grand Forks and the region at large. But, despite the demolition marking the end of Hyslop, the event promises to give way to another exciting addition to campus.

A promising future

In the Hyslop’s place, a 179,000-square-foot STEM Complex will begin construction later this fall. Designed to promote interdisciplinary learning, the new facility will house lecture halls, collaborative research spaces, a robotics team work area and an eSports arena.

Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Physics all will have homes in the building, a joint hosting that’s meant to promote cross-disciplinary research.

Additionally, two skyways linking the STEM Complex to Abbott and Leonard halls are scheduled for construction, giving students, staff and faculty safe and easy ways to traverse campus in unpredictable North Dakota winters.

If construction stays on track, UND students, faculty and staff can expect to move into the building in summer of 2027, just in time for that year’s fall semester.

One campus hub to the next

According to the project schedule, demolition of the Hyslop will wrap up by Oct. 30, when the last of its debris will be hauled off campus. Crews then will prepare the site for foundation work and the steel framing of the STEM Complex, construction of which is expected to begin in November 2025.

As the campus community looks ahead to the completion of the STEM Complex, the excavator’s recent work marks not only a farewell to one of campus’s most remarkable and beloved buildings, but also the excitement and anticipation of watching another cutting-edge facility take shape on the UND campus.

While The Big N is known for many good things, it does have some “stick in the mud” tendencies that can overshadow some of its better qualities. One of them is being a “stickler” when it comes to tournaments. They have a reputation of shutting down ones they feel aren’t “right” for their games or using their games “without permission.” It has rubbed many a fan the wrong way over the years, including very recently. However, Nintendo of America might have made a great move to change that perception.

As you’ll see below, Nintendo of America has teamed up with the Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance to make official tournaments featuring some of their most popular Switch titles in schools all over the US.

Nintendo of America announced they are partnering with the Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance (ISEA).Starting this fall, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Splatoon 3 will be used for school-organized tournaments and events for grades 4-12.mynintendonews.com/2025/08/12/n…

— Stealth40k (@stealth40k.bsky.social) 2025-08-12T13:38:47.913Z

Here’s an official message from ISEA President Danielle Johnson about the partnership:

“We are so excited to partner with Nintendo as we continue to grow and expand competitive gaming opportunities for students across the country. Games are a fun, communal experience. We want to make gaming accessible to as many students as possible regardless of their previous gaming experience. School-based gaming programs connect students that may have not been involved in social competitive activities before, and every student deserves a place to belong at school. These programs not only raise student attendance and achievement but also help students build healthy relationships that can last a lifetime.”

As for Nintendo, NOA Vice President Bill Trinen added:

“We support kids who want to celebrate their passion – or discover a new passion – by getting involved in memorable cooperative and competitive play experiences. Working closely with the ISEA ensures that we are creating a fun experience that is open to everyone.”

This truly is a good thing, and if it works out, it could lead to even greater things down the line.