Esports World Cup Opens New Pathways For Chess Players To Qualify For EWC 2027

Riyadh: The Esports World Cup (EWC) has introduced the 2027 EWC Qualifier Program, an initiative within the Road to EWC that allows tournament organizers and local esports communities worldwide to host official qualifying competitions. This program aims to engage 1.8 million players through over 400 events in 2027. The initiative aims to strengthen connections among publisher-led leagues, international tournaments, and regional qualifiers, creating more opportunities for players to participate in their local communities.

Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer of the Esports Foundation, stated, "Road to EWC has demonstrated what is achievable when various pathways in competitive esports unite under one global stage. By integrating more of these communities, we can provide players with official routes to the Esports World Cup." The EWC Qualifier Program offers two pathways: EWC Direct Qualifiers and EWC Satellite Last Chance Qualifiers (SLCQs).

EWC Direct Qualifiers maintain the existing structure of established esports tournaments, allowing organizers to retain commercial opportunities while providing players a formal pathway to the Esports World Cup. EWC Satellite Last Chance Qualifiers open a new avenue for grassroots participation, enabling local communities to organize or expand competitions under their identity, with marketing assistance from the Esports Foundation.

Winners of these qualifiers receive guaranteed entry into the corresponding EWC Last Chance Qualifier tournaments the following summer, where they compete for a spot in the main EWC event. The Esports Foundation will cover accommodation and visa expenses for the qualifiers' winners. Chess has been a prominent sport in the Esports World Cup, with Indian players making significant strides.

In 2026, four Indian Grandmasters participated in the EWC, with Grandmasters Vidit Gujrathi and Karthik Venkataraman reaching the final and top 12 of Last Chance Qualifiers, respectively. In 2025, Grandmaster Nihal Sarin progressed to the quarterfinals. The EWC Qualifier Program's two routes—EWC Direct Qualifiers and EWC Satellite Last Chance Qualifiers—aim to build a stronger global esports ecosystem, foster meaningful competitions, and increase opportunities for players.

Applications for the 2027 EWC Direct Qualifiers and Satellite LCQs are now open on esportsworldcup.com and will close on December 20, 2026. Tournament organizers can submit applications and inquiries to EWCDirectQualifier@esportsfoundation.com and EWCSatelliteLCQ@esportsfoundation.com. Further details on participating events and qualification criteria will be announced as the Road to EWC 2027 progresses. For more information, visit esportsworldcup.com and follow the EWC on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.