eSports

Exclusive Q&A/Widget with Nicolas Marlier, CTO at PandaScore

Published

3 years ago

October 6, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

What motivated you to upgrade your Widget product?

Our revamped Widget 2.0 product builds on the huge success of the original solution we launched several years ago. The upgrade forms part of wider efforts to deliver the best products and player experiences to the esports ecosystem, driven by the power of data. Operators using Widget 2.0 can better attract and engage esports fans, particularly during live, with highly customisable esports widgets that provide game-specific, real-time data. This means that players can enjoy in-depth esports information on their favourite games, delivered via undelayed data so that they know they are getting a real-time viewing and betting experience.

With Widget 2.0 we can offer a more customised integration through a block system that allows each bookmaker to adjust what kind of information they want to make available on specific sections of their website or app. We have also improved the data visualisation so that players can more easily understand complex datasets at a glance while providing even greater data granularity for expert players that really want to deep dive into specific games.

What titles does Widget 2.0 cover in live? And to what depth?

So we offer a dedicated Widget for each of the 11 esports titles we cover including three live widgets for CS:GO, Dota 2 and League of Legends (LoL). Take LoL, for example. We have a radar chart designed by League of Legends experts so that bettors can quickly and easily see the strengths and weaknesses of each team. For CS:GO, that information is presented on a map-by-map basis and depending on team sides. This is to take into account the differences between each game and to make the player experience as intuitive and seamless as possible.

Why was customisation so important to your revamped Widget product?

Each bookmaker wants to deliver an experience that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of its players. It also wants to do this while standing out from its rivals. As a data provider, it is important for us to give operators the tools they need to do both of these things. Our block system adapts to the different experiences offered by each bookmaker, as well as the wide range of devices used by players. In addition, operators have complete freedom to customise the front end with their own branding colours to maintain a consistent user experience at all times.

What are the player engagement benefits of Widget and how can operators leverage the product in innovative ways?

Esports fans want a seamless stream but also access to stats and data points about their team and/or their opponents. Bringing that insight directly onto the operator’s platform via our Widget 2.0 product provides this and allows sportsbooks to drive greater engagement among existing players and esports bettors, but also attract new customers that are not necessarily bettors yet but are looking for access to this data via an easy-to-use interface. That makes our Widget product innovative in itself as it allows operators to connect with esports fans and bettors in an entirely new way.

What’s next for PandaScore?

Our product roadmap has been busy, that’s for sure. Recently, we’ve added Starcraft 1 and 2 to the long list of games we offer coverage on, extended our cutting-edge BetBuilder product to cover all three major games, will be offering micro betting markets for the first time, launch community engagement tools to let operators to better engage with their users on Discord and Twitch. More exotic betting markets, such as player specials for LoL and Dota 2 are also underway, and this is not the full list of innovative products to come. We are committed to designing and developing the tools and features operators need to unlock the true potential of esports and esports betting, and our product roadmap over the next 12 months will allow them to do just that.

It is still very early days for esports betting, but more and more sportsbook operators understand the opportunities on the table and are making moves in the space for the first time. PandaScore is here to guide them through the sector and deliver the best possible experience to both new and existing esports fans and bettors.

competitive Tekken

Team Vitality Signs 16-Year-Old Tekken 8 Prodigy Neia to Fighting Games Roster

Published

3 days ago

January 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

team-vitality-signs-16-year-old-tekken-8-prodigy-neia-to-fighting-games-roster

Leading French esports organization Team Vitality has announced the signing of Neia, one of the most promising young talents in Tekken 8, as part of its Fighting Games division.

Following a breakthrough 2025 season and a standout showing at EVO Nice, the 16-year-old phenom has committed to representing Team Vitality for the next two competitive seasons.

Neia now joins an elite lineup within Team Vitality, training alongside renowned Tekken players Jeondding and KingReyJr, as well as the H-DOPE and K-TOPE duo CientifiKOF in Fatal Fury. The signing underlines Team Vitality’s continued ambition to nurture emerging talent while strengthening its presence across the fighting game ecosystem.

A breakout year for a rising Tekken star

Despite her young age, Neia has rapidly established herself as one of France’s most exciting Tekken prospects. Known for her mastery of Lili, she stands out for her aggressive playstyle, creative decision-making, and strong technical execution.

Her rise began on June 8, 2025, during a Kayane Session hosted at V.Hive, Team Vitality’s Paris headquarters. Spotted by French champion and content creator Kayane, Neia impressed immediately by defeating several high-level players, including a professional competitor — a performance that sparked widespread attention within the community.

Strong results on the international stage

Neia’s momentum continued throughout 2025:

13th place at Ultimate Fighting Arena (UFA) Paris in September
17th place at EVO Nice in October while representing French club BMS, eliminating top international players such as Tibetano
4th place at Galaxian Explosion in December, defeating Jodd in the top eight — her best result to date

These performances confirmed her status as a breakout Tekken 8 talent with significant international potential.

The next chapter in yellow and black

For the 2026 season, Neia has chosen to continue her competitive journey with Team Vitality, benefitting from world-class coaching, infrastructure, and performance support. Her next major milestones include Tekken World Tour Sweden (January 2026) and EVO Japan (May 2026).

Team Vitality’s commitment to talent development

As a major force in European esports, Team Vitality places player development at the heart of its strategy. By joining the organization, Neia will train in a high-performance environment alongside seasoned professionals, accelerating her growth on the international fighting game circuit.

Fabien “Neo” Devide, President and Co-Founder of Team Vitality, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Neia to Team Vitality. Her potential, seriousness, and determination fully reflect the club’s mindset. Alongside her mentor Kayane, we are proud to support her in this new phase and confident she will find the ideal conditions to thrive with our fighting game players.”

With Neia’s arrival, Team Vitality strengthens its Fighting Games roster while reinforcing its role in shaping the next generation of esports champions.

The post Team Vitality Signs 16-Year-Old Tekken 8 Prodigy Neia to Fighting Games Roster appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BETER

BETER dominates ICE Barcelona 2026 with prestigious double esports award win

Published

3 days ago

January 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

beter-dominates-ice-barcelona-2026-with-prestigious-double-esports-award-win

BETER, a Europe-based provider of live streams, live data, and odds for esports and sports, is celebrating a double award win at ICE Barcelona 2026.

The provider took home the trophy for Best Esports Innovation at the European iGaming Awards 2026 and Esports Innovator of the Year at the International Gaming Awards 2026.

The win marks the second consecutive year that BETER has topped the Esports Innovator category at the International Gaming Awards, driven by its commitment to evolving the iGaming industry with new formats of in-demand, fast-paced content.

BETER’s esports offering sets the standard for others to follow, consisting of its exclusive ESportsBattle tournaments. These tournaments deliver non-stop betting action across popular titles, including eFootball, eBasketball, eHockey, and eTennis, with more than 500,000 events scheduled annually.

Underlining the provider’s commitment to transparency, ESportsBattle recently received the ESIC Gold Standard Accreditation, further establishing BETER as one of the most trusted names in high-frequency content.

Operators can also take advantage of BETER’s Esports Odds Feed, delivering market-leading odds with the highest uptime across more than 450 tournaments globally, covering 40,000+ pre-match and live events annually, all powered by a team of in-house expert traders.

The awards follow a hugely successful period for BETER’s esports division, including the launch of eTennis, the first of its kind in the market, as well as the addition of the European Conference tournament to its eBasketball series.

BETER has also strengthened its position in the US market, where ESportsBattle is already live in New Jersey and Colorado with tier-one operator bet365. Internationally, the product was integrated by leading operators and aggregators, including Entain CCE and Meridianbet in 2025.

Securing two major award wins at ICE Barcelona is a testament to the quality of BETER’s market-leading fast-betting product suite, as well as the dedication and professionalism of its team.

Vladyslav Vitrenko, Public Relations Lead at BETER, said: “Winning two major esports awards at ICE is a significant milestone for BETER and marks an incredibly strong start to the year.

“We have worked hard developing the best fast-betting products in the market, and this award is a testament to the effort put in by the team – effort that we continue to make to ensure more players than ever before can access our products.

“We are constantly developing new products while maintaining a strong public presence, openly showcasing our operations, integrity measures, and product updates to remain transparent and trustworthy for our operator partners and their players.

“The demand for fast-betting content will only continue to rise, and these awards further position BETER as the go-to provider on the market.”

The post BETER dominates ICE Barcelona 2026 with prestigious double esports award win appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

eSports

Esports World Cup 2026 Tickets on Sale Now

Published

3 days ago

January 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-world-cup-2026-tickets-on-sale-now

First wave of tickets includes Early Bird passes, premium experiences and special travel offers ahead of seven-week competition for a record-breaking $75 million prize pool

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) officially opened tickets sales for the Esports World Cup 2026 (EWC), the world’s largest esports event, set to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 6 through August 23. The first wave of ticket options for fans is now live at esportsworldcup.com and through international ticketing partners Tixr (US and EU), Webook (Middle East and Saudi Arabia), Platinumlist (Middle East and India), and Damai (China), alongside special travel packages from Saudia Holidays available to first purchasers.

EWC 2026 will feature a record-breaking $75 million prize pool that reflects the evolution of the EWC as a premier sporting event and the anchor multi-title competition within the global esports ecosystem. Over 2,000 players representing more than 200 Clubs and over 100 countries will compete in Riyadh in the industry-leading cross-game Club Championship that is now a focal point of the esports calendar.

Limited-edition goodie bags for Weekly All-Access and Premium Tournament purchases contain a collector coin, trading card, aluminium water bottle, tote bag, T-shirt, fridge magnet, merch voucher, and a collectible pin.

Saudia Holidays, the travel division of Saudia Airlines, the Kingdom’s national carrier, now also offers an all-in-one Early Bird package to experience the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, including return flights, hand-picked hotels near the action, and a free All-Access Pass for the full duration of the stay, with one simple booking and no hidden fees.

Regular Tournament Passes and Daily Passes will be released in the next wave of sales.

The EWCF has officially confirmed the weekly schedule for EWC 2026, locking in seven weeks of world-class competition. Below is the schedule for each EWC tournament, sorted by week.

The post Esports World Cup 2026 Tickets on Sale Now appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.