HEROIC exits EWC Club Partner Program after Dota 2 shutdown

HEROIC announced on X that it had “mutually agreed” with the Esports Foundation to end its participation in the 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC) Club Partner Program after shutting down its Dota 2 division earlier this month. The organisation will no longer meet the program’s multi-title requirement and will forfeit six-figure partner funding.

The organisation said it disbanded its Dota 2 roster and released players and staff. HEROIC wrote that Dota 2 “was not financially sustainable in the long run,” and that operating costs exceeded returns despite competitive results and commercial efforts.

The Dota 2 exit occurred during the competitive season, ahead of tournaments including DreamLeague, EWC qualification events and The International 2026. Removing Dota 2 from HEROIC’s lineup eliminated a core element of its multi-title footprint, a condition for continued membership in the EWC partner program.

The Esports World Cup Club Partner Program selects about 40 clubs each year and offers financial and promotional support to organisations that compete across multiple game titles. Partner clubs receive six-figure base funding, and some organisations can earn up to roughly $1 million through additional performance incentives tied to fan engagement, marketing and content creation. To remain in the program, clubs must sustain competitive and commercial activity across several esports titles.

Leaving the program will cost HEROIC its partner funding and associated promotional benefits. Karmine Corp CEO Arthur Perticoz has noted a team can “miss out on roughly $200K–$300K” by not receiving EWC partner support.

HEROIC can still attempt to qualify for Esports World Cup events through standard qualification routes, particularly in Counter-Strike 2, which the organisation identifies as its primary title going forward. The Esports Foundation has not announced whether it will name a replacement partner for HEROIC.

Organisations that were not included in this year’s partner list, including Karmine Corp, FaZe and LOUD, remain potential candidates for future selection. Further updates are expected if the Esports Foundation confirms a replacement or provides additional comment.