Heroic Has Left the Esports Foundation Club Partner Program

On March 30, the Esports Foundation Club Partner Program 2026 was announced, with a promise to create a sustainable and globally connected esports ecosystem. According to the announcement, each club would receive funding of up to $1 million, along with strategic guidance and international exposure.

Unfortunately for Heroic Has Left the Esports Foundation Club Partner Program, after leaving Dota 2, they recognized that their organization no longer met the requirements for the 2026 EF Club Partner Program and decided to leave the project.

Heroic's Announcement: Straight to the Point

It seems both organizations decided to make announcements at the same time, considering that both tweets came within less than 15 minutes of each other. Heroic's announcement was very brief.

According to Heroic, their Dota 2 exit was followed by internal organizational changes. They talked to the Esports Foundation, and both parties agreed that the best course of action would be for Heroic to also leave the 2026 Club Partner Program.

Heroic also mentioned that they had been part of the program since 2025 and thanked the Esports Foundation for providing them with a platform, resources, and support throughout the duration of this partnership.

EWC's Announcement: An Opportunity

The Esports World Cup's official Twitter profile made a very similar announcement shortly after Heroic. On top of confirming what Heroic said, the similar wording also displays their intentional coordination.

Despite the professional demeanor of this farewell, other organizations also see it as an opportunity to take Heroic's spot and make themselves known worldwide with the help of the Esports Foundation.

In the replies to the announcement, many fans of the French organization Karmine Corp didn't wait a second to let the Esports Foundation know that they have the perfect team to fill this empty slot right away.

Karmine Corp has a list of active rosters in many categories, including League of Legends, Valorant, and Rocket League. Considering that they are a young organization that started in 2020 in League of Legends, getting this opportunity would be great for increasing their fanbase and gaining some very welcome resources.

Closing Thoughts

The esports scene is always evolving, and despite the perceived lack of sensitivity in seeing another team's loss as their win, this is how it goes, and both teams are aware of this reality.

For now, we are still waiting for the announcement of a replacement, and life goes on. Heroic will focus on their remaining rosters, and the Esports Foundation might already have a name in mind to replace them.

If you want to stay informed about news on the Esports World Cup, Heroic, Karmine Corp, and much more, check our news section on the Strafe website!

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Featured Image Source: Twitter (@EWC_EN and @heroicgg)