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Esports Foundation Bets $2M on Creators to Bring EWC and ENC to Every Corner of the World
The Esports Foundation just made a major move for content creators. On June 11, 2026, the organization behind the Esports World Cup and the Esports Nations Cup officially opened applications for its 2026 Creator Program, the largest co-streaming initiative esports has ever seen, and it is backing it up with a $2 million investment in creator rewards.
Co-Streaming Was Already Working. Now It Gets Bigger
This is not a brand-new experiment. In 2025, 3,500 co-streamers played a key role in growing EWC viewership, carrying the tournament's biggest moments to communities across every region, platform, and language. The 2026 edition builds directly on that foundation, with the ambition of scaling up to 5,000 creators across new regions and platforms.
The Esports Foundation is not treating this as a one-off campaign either. The program is designed to run across both events: the EWC 2026 in Paris from July 6 through August 23 and the inaugural ENC 2026 in Riyadh from November 2 through 29. And it is being built as a permanent pillar of how EF grows the sport going forward. Applications for EWC 2026 are open right now.
Why the Foundation Believes This Is the Future of Esports Media
The philosophy behind the program is refreshingly direct. Wasae Imran, Director of Broadcast and Distribution at the Esports Foundation, explained it clearly:
"This isn't just an esports trend; it's a media trend. Across music, video, news, and sport, audiences don't just watch what they're given anymore. They choose their own experience: what to watch, where to focus, and how deep to go. Esports just lives further down that road than most."
That mindset makes the Creator Program feel less like a marketing initiative and more like a structural shift in how the EF thinks about distribution. Instead of one broadcast, the goal is to open every possible door into the same moment and let fans pick how they want to walk through it.
What Creators Actually Get Out of This
Approved creators get more than just permission to stream. The program comes with a full progression system built around a Battle Pass, missions, and leaderboards. The rewards can include:
- Gift cards, gear, and gaming consoles
- Streaming-platform perks to help grow their audiences
- Invitations to attend EWC and ENC in person
Creators can co-stream their favorite tournaments from the EWC and ENC lineups, with access to tools, discoverability features, and platform perks designed to make the experience as seamless as possible. The program supports a wide range of platforms, including Twitch, YouTube, Bilibili, Huya, CHZZK, among others.
A Chance to Rally Behind Your Nation at ENC
The Creator Program has an extra layer of excitement for the ENC. Since the Esports Nations Cup is the first nation-based competition of its kind in esports, creators will have the opportunity to rally behind their home countries and territories when the event kicks off in Riyadh in November. Sixteen games and over 100 nations make this a genuinely massive canvas for community-driven content.
EWC 2026 alone is a record-breaking event: more than 2,000 players, 200 clubs, and 100+ countries competing across 25 tournaments and 24 games for a $75 million+ prize pool at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. There has never been a bigger stage for co-streamers to work with.
Creators who want in can apply now at the official Creator Program page: esportsworldcup.com/en/creator-program
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Featured Image Credit: Esports Foundation
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