The Esports World Cup (EWC) has announced its 2027 EWC Qualifier Program, creating more opportunities for esports players and tournament organisers around the world. The programme aims to reach 1.8 million players through more than 400 events in 2027.

According to an Esports World Cup announcement today, the programme is part of the Road to EWC initiative. It will connect established esports tournaments, publisher-led leagues and regional competitions with the global championship, while creating more opportunities for local esports communities.

Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer at the Esports Foundation, said the programme would help connect esports communities worldwide and give local organisers an official role in creating pathways to the Esports World Cup.

The programme will offer two qualification routes: EWC Direct Qualifiers and EWC Satellite Last Chance Qualifiers. Direct Qualifiers will connect established esports tournaments with the Road to EWC. Organisers will continue to run and fund their competitions under their own identity, retain local commercial opportunities and follow EWC and game publishers’ standards. These events will provide players with an official pathway to the Esports World Cup.

The Satellite Last Chance Qualifiers will focus on grassroots esports and local gaming communities. Tournament organisers, federations, associations, cyber cafés, universities, esports venues and gaming festivals can apply to connect their existing competitions or establish new tournaments. Approved organisers will receive marketing support from the Esports Foundation.

Winners of the Satellite Last Chance Qualifiers will earn guaranteed entry into the relevant EWC Last Chance Qualifier tournaments scheduled for next summer. They will then compete for a place in the main Esports World Cup event. The Esports Foundation will also provide accommodation and visa support for the winners.

Initially, the Satellite Last Chance Qualifiers will be available for Chess, Counter-Strike 2, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves and Street Fighter 6. More games are expected to be announced later.

All participating tournaments must follow the relevant game publishers’ requirements and EWC competition standards, including official rules, anti-cheat measures, officiating and verified results. The programme aims to strengthen the global esports ecosystem and create more opportunities for players to compete.

The announcement also highlighted the impact of Last Chance Qualifiers at previous Esports World Cup events. In 2024, Joao ‘jafonsogv’ Vasconcelos advanced through the EA SPORTS FC Last Chance Qualifier before becoming an EWC champion. His achievement inspired the creation of the Jafonso Award, which recognises this accomplishment.