eSports

EXCEL ESPORTS unveils Sony as official smartphone supplier

Published

5 years ago

April 20, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

British competitive gaming culture brand EXCEL ESPORTS is excited to name Sony as its Official Smartphone Supplier for Fortnite. The partnership will see Sony work closely with Fortnite prodigy and EXCEL player Jaden ‘Wolfiez’ Ashman to showcase the capabilities of its flagship Xperia smartphones with a selection of content pieces.

Xperia smartphones provide the perfect device for Battle Royale players with a 21:9 screen ratio providing a wider field of view. Devices can also pair with DUALSHOCK®4 controllers allowing Fortnite console players the opportunity to switch up their game. EXCEL and Sony will collaborate on educational content pieces and host giveaways allowing EXCEL’s community the opportunity to experience the benefits of owning the latest flagship Xperia device.

EXCEL announced its entrance into Fortnite last year with the signing of Jaden ‘Wolfiez’ Ashman, the highest earner in UK esports history after finishing second at the Fortnite World Cup and winning over $1M. At only 17 years old, Wolfiez is statistically, according to prize money won and tournament placements, the best Fortnite controller player in the world. During his first few months at EXCEL, Wolfiez placed second in the 2020 FNCS Invitational Europe winning $125k in total prize money.

“At EXCEL ESPORTS we are always looking to work with forward-thinking partners that are innovating tech within the competitive gaming space. Fortnite is a title in which we are looking to create a lasting legacy and it’s great to have partners like Sony who can help us. Jaden competes on controller-based PC, but he has been thrilled by the mobile experience Sony offers and sees it as the ideal way for him to keep playing at the highest level whether he’s at home, or on the go,” said Patrick Collins, Head of Partnerships, EXCEL ESPORTS

Matt Beavis, UK Head of PR, Social and Partnerships of Sony’s mobile business, added: “We have a very targeted approach to marketing on the mobile side of the business at Sony, focusing our efforts on communicating with specific communities of interest; namely ‘Photographers’ or ‘Gamers’ as in this instance. A partnership with Excel is aimed at demonstrating to hardcore gaming enthusiasts why Sony is a ‘no-brainer’ when it comes to smartphone selection. It’s about ensuring that the community realises that, as well as making pioneering gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5, Sony also puts an incredible amount of effort into ensuring that same gaming expertise and associated innovation translates to its Xperia smartphones. With Battle Royale games such as Fortnite, that expertise goes one step further – we have a 21:9 screen ratio that essentially affords the user a wider field of vision than someone using another device like a PC or console, meaning you can also see enemies sneaking up on you earlier than perhaps they think you can!”

eSports

Esports Awards adds player-voted EWC Players’ Choice Award, extends Esports Foundation deal

Published

10 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-awards-adds-player-voted-ewc-players’-choice-award,-extends-esports-foundation-deal

The Esports Awards and the Esports Foundation (EF) on June 18, 2026, announced a three-year extension of their partnership through 2028 and introduced a new player-voted honor, the EWC Players’ Choice Award. The announcement was made in London, with voting tied to Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 in Paris.

The EWC Players’ Choice Award will be decided exclusively by professional esports players. According to the announcement, competitors attending EWC 2026 will vote in person, while a secure digital voting platform hosted by the Esports Awards will allow participation from additional eligible players and clubs.

Eligibility requires players to have competed in at least one qualifying S, A or B-Tier tournament during the official competitive season. Players will not be able to vote for themselves or teammates, with the Esports Awards overseeing the process.

“The talent and innovation of our sector should be getting the exposure it deserves.,” said Michael Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards. “The Esports Foundation has done an incredible job in generating mainstream attention, and industry exposure outside of the standard circuit. Our partnership has enabled us to expand our operations and footprint and it’s through our continued collaboration that I hope we can bring the Esports Awards to the global community, and provide the industry with better visibility all year round.”

The Esports Awards also confirmed its 2026 ceremony will take place in the United States, starting what it described as a rotating host city model featuring “previously unvisited destinations.” The event previously staged its 2024 awards ceremony and the 2025 Decade Awards in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as part of the Esports World Cup program.

EWC 2026 is scheduled for Paris from July 06 through August 23, 2026, with more than 2,000 players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries set to compete in 25 tournaments across 24 games. Voting for the EWC Players’ Choice Award will run from July 1 through August 18, 2026, with the winner to be revealed during the Esports Awards ceremony later this year. The Esports Awards said additional details about its 2026 event will be announced in the coming weeks.

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chess

ENC 2026 chess qualifiers wrap as 82 nations and territories make the field

Published

1 day ago

June 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

enc-2026-chess-qualifiers-wrap-as-82-nations-and-territories-make-the-field

The Esports Foundation (EF) has completed the online regional qualifiers for the Chess tournament at the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), scheduled to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2-29, 2026.

EF said the 128-player chess field is now largely set. 64 players from 64 countries and territories received direct invitations via official Champions Chess Tour (CCT) rankings at the end of May, while 61 players qualified through online regional events operated by Chess.com across North America, South America, Africa, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East/India/Central Asia, and East Asia/Southeast Asia/Oceania.

A further slot was awarded to Amani Alazmi (Kuwait) via the Host Region Wildcard as the next highest-placing competitor from the host region. Two Wildcard Solidarity slots for underrepresented regions remain and will be announced at the end of August after all ENC qualifiers are completed. With qualifiers concluded, EF said at least 82 countries and territories will be represented in chess at ENC 2026.

EF highlighted that Jamaica, Paraguay, Singapore, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tunisia, and Turkmenistan each secured two qualifying slots despite not receiving a direct invitation. Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador, Venezuela, Morocco, Nigeria, Algeria, Jordan, Australia, and New Zealand secured one slot each.

The chess competition runs November 2-8. EF said the event will open with a round-robin group stage featuring 16 groups of eight players, before moving to a 64-player single-elimination playoff bracket. The full list of qualified players and nations is available on the ENC website’s chess page.

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1xBet

HLTV Awards returns to Belgrade on January 9, 2027, adding Lifetime Achievement honor

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2026

Wladimir P.

hltv-awards-returns-to-belgrade-on-january-9,-2027,-adding-lifetime-achievement-honor

HLTV will stage the HLTV Awards presented by 1xBet in Belgrade, Serbia on January 9, 2027, returning to the Sava Center. The company said more than 1,000 players, industry professionals, creators, and fans are expected to attend.

HLTV also confirmed Dust2 creator David Johnston will feature as an award announcer. HLTV linked the booking to the 25th anniversary of Dust2.

For 2026, HLTV is updating its Hall of Fame process and eligibility rules. Four players will be inducted again, with “at least two and up to three” slots reserved for players from the Counter-Strike 1.6 and early eras. HLTV also removed the former “neo rule,” allowing players to be inducted for their playing careers even if they remain active in other roles such as coaching.

HLTV is adding a Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be decided by the Hall of Fame Board. The ceremony will also move Community Awards onto the main stage show for the first time, rather than the pre-show segment.

Separately, HLTV will kick off the 2027 Awards season with an invite-only “HLTV Awards by 1xBet Launch Party x GRID” in Cologne during the Major. HLTV said industry members can apply for an invite to the ceremony via its awards page.

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