Is the Esports World Cup Foundation Making Waves in India with S8UL Partnership?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- EWCF expands its reach in India by partnering with S8UL.
- Strategic broadcast partnership to enhance fan engagement.
- Invitation for Indian teams to compete at EWC 2025.
- Focus on developing the Indian esports ecosystem.
- Record-breaking prize pool at EWC 2025.
Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), July 3 (NationPress) - The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) revealed on Thursday a significant enhancement of its involvement with the Indian esports landscape by incorporating the nation’s premier team, S8UL, into the EWCF Club Partner Programme.
Notable highlights comprise an upcoming strategic broadcast alliance with India's top streaming and digital services firm, an official invitation extended to a Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) team for participation in the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC), and the integration of elite Indian organization S8UL into the 2025 EWCF Club Partner Program.
These initiatives signify a pivotal step in EWCF’s goal to unite global esports enthusiasts under a unified competitive platform and reinforce its dedication to embedding one of the fastest-growing esports markets into the EWC while broadening opportunities for players, clubs, and fans throughout the region.
“The purpose of the Esports World Cup is to consolidate the global gaming community, which necessitates investment in regions shaping the industry's future,” stated Mike McCabe, Chief Operating Officer of the Esports World Cup Foundation, in a release on Thursday.
He added, “India is central to that vision. With hundreds of millions of mobile-first gamers, it boasts an ecosystem evolving at an extraordinary speed—from championship clubs like S8UL to leading digital platforms transforming fan experiences in esports. Through expanded partnerships and competitive pathways, we’re crafting the future of Indian esports, empowering players and clubs to compete at EWC's highest levels, bringing the best of the Esports World Cup to the nation.”
The invitation extended to the champion of the Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series (BMPS) marks the first instance of an Indian team facing off against elite teams globally at the Esports World Cup, representing a landmark event for the title’s integration into international competition and underscoring the rapid expansion and potential of mobile gaming in the country.
India’s forthcoming broadcast partner, details to be announced soon, will play a crucial role in broadening access, enhancing fan engagement, and backing India-based programming throughout the EWC 2025 season, which includes localized broadcasts, community events, and exclusive content tailored for the subcontinent's 500+ million gamers.
This year, the Mumbai-headquartered organization, S8UL Esports, joined the EWCF Club Partner Programme. S8UL, formed through the merger of two iconic Indian teams, SOUL and 8bit, stands as a prime example of a club that has accelerated its growth through the Program. The Club has already secured qualification for EWC 2025 in Apex Legends, EA SPORTS FC, and is vying for qualification in additional titles, such as Tekken, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, BGMI, and Chess.
The Esports World Cup 2025 will once again bring together gaming and esports communities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a global competition that will determine the next Esports World Cup Club Champion. The tournament’s distinctive cross-game format will reward clubs and players competing for a transformative prize pool across various platforms and genres, uniting esports' finest teams, players, and games under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of esports.
The EWC 2025 is set to feature 2,000 elite players and 200 clubs from over 100 nations competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a groundbreaking prize pool exceeding $70 million.