eSports
Game Changers: A Roundtable on the eSports Revolution
Over the last decade, a significant cultural shift has occurred in the entertainment industry. Esports, the organized and competitive form of video gaming, has gone from a fringe interest to a global sensation, captivating millions of fans and bringing in billions of dollars in revenue. This rapid rise has not only transformed gaming from a casual hobby to a legitimate profession but has also firmly established itself in mainstream culture, challenging traditional sports and revolutionizing the entertainment industry as a whole.
Esports, short for electronic sports, has evolved into a flourishing industry encompassing competitive gaming, live events, sponsorships, media coverage, and an ever-growing fan base. As technology advances, so does the potential for esports to redefine what it means to be a spectator and participant in the world of sports and entertainment. With a structure that mirrors traditional sports leagues, including professional teams, star players, and devoted fan communities, esports has become an influential force, making a significant impact on the gaming world and broader society.
For this roundtable, European Gaming spoke to Kevin des Lauriers, CEO at J3STER, and Kirill Nekrasov, Product Officer at BETBY to delve deeper into the rise of esports, examining the factors behind its explosive growth, the influence it wields across various industries and the exciting possibilities that lie on the horizon. By understanding the transformative power of esports and the remarkable journey it has undertaken thus far, we gain insights into a phenomenon that continues to reshape entertainment, challenge societal norms, and captivate a generation of enthusiasts.
How is the rise of esports changing the way people interact with games?
KDL: Globally, we’re seeing a big increase in arenas being built specifically to draw in fans of esports. We’re also seeing a rise in LAN events across the world, with competitive and even casual players now putting together teams in order to get involved. Smaller sponsors are putting on more tournaments, and there seems to be a plethora of new leagues being created for any and every game imaginable – not just the usual titles, such as Warzone and League of Legends.
KN: There is a vast increase in viewers who passionately follow certain teams and particular disciplines within esports, whether that be soccer, ebasketball or any other sport that they like. This engagement ultimately acts as the spark for viewers to become participants, following in the footsteps of their favourite esports players, getting involved at an amateur level and engaging with the esports that they enjoy most.
Influencers are often the faces of esports. What impact do these figures have on the industry?
KDL: In the industry, we’re in an interesting spot where influencers currently have a lot of power. Prominent players can discover and highlight exploits in games, effectively pushing game publishers to release patches and fixes more frequently. These publishers are also clamouring to release new features to keep these influencers happy and engaged, otherwise they risk them moving on to the next big thing.
There are armies of community managers working with game publishers, ready to provide influencers with gifts such as giveaway items for their fans, card packs, in-game content such as skins and more. Winning these influencers over is a surefire way to garner a positive reception in the esports sphere.
KN: In many industries, influencers are becoming more high-profile, garnering trust amongst audiences and shaping trends. These people within the esports industry are no different, whether they are players who were already in the public eye, or streamers who have amassed an organic following. However, the impact of these figures can both be positive and negative.
If influencers enter the world of esports solely to generate quick success and garner hype, without having an esports background or a noticeable passion, then this can have a negative impact on the long-term development of the industry. If they do not enjoy the content, or understand the complexities and depth of esports, passionate fans will see through this attempt to engage with them and be turned away.
This can reduce the quality of new entrants. Some may also use their popularity to promote products or events that do not align with the values and needs of the esports community. This can also create a negative perception among fans.
Following that, what is the main appeal for both players and influencers to get involved in esports?
KDL: Most influencers are pros (or ex-pros), which effectively makes this relationship analogous to the classic sports commentators. They educate us on how good these “new players” are, and what we can strive to become – or simply admire from afar.
However, pro esports players arguably aren’t as well-known today as the players we grew up with in classic sports. Some influencers host watch parties of big esports events, helping their fans to understand a little bit more about the teams and their players, which opens it up further for newcomers to get involved.
KN: Doing something you love and are passionate about, and competing at a competitive level cannot be underestimated. Entering esports, whether as a participant or influencer, should be a long-term commitment rather than just a temporary one. The esports community is incredibly passionate and this is a key selling point to getting involved, to be surrounded by like-minded people who care about the industry.
Being fully committed can bring a long-term career, and being able to participate in professional competitions, and potentially creating your own brand and personality that generates a following.
In your own opinion, how do you think you’re pushing innovation within the esports industry?
KDL: On paper, J3STER is everything that Twitch influencers and viewers can wish for – community, engagement and monetization. We focus on creating lines for each influencer based on their match data, with the odds generated being unique to that influencer and their community.
Our mission is to increase the influencer’s ability to monetize without requiring any further work. J3STER does all of the work through seamless API integrations. Influencers can sign up through their Twitch account, connect their game data through our publisher API connections, and then send the link out to their viewers. This process can be completed in less than one minute.
For viewers, they have an alternative to tipping through Twitch streams, as each bet placed through J3STER gives the viewer the opportunity to tip the streamer directly. Of course, when there’s a bet on the line, each viewer is much more engaged in the outcome of the influencer’s match.
KN: BETBY has been actively innovating the esports industry since its inception. We started our journey in esports with the Betby.Games project, which is a unique opportunity for bettors to wager on the most popular esports disciplines, providing 24/7 availability, and minimising human error.
Something which is a big bonus to our brand is our trading department, with many being esports fans themselves. Because of this, they are actively searching for new and unique markets and tournaments for our brand to be involved with, and expanding our offering. BETBY was the first company to offer its customers markets on the Pokémon UNITE Championship, Team Fortress 2 and Trackmania.
Of the latest product releases, it is worth highlighting our Betbuilder, which allows you to make combo bets within a single match, and which has already gained recognition among esports fans thanks to the exciting nature of these types of bets.
What are your predictions for the future of esports?
KDL: The eyes on esports have now reached the point where marketers simply cannot resist or oppose it any longer. I believe that, within the next five years, we’ll have more people tune in to watch a major esports competition than will tune into the Superbowl.
It’s also absolutely plausible that esports will very soon have the same energy behind it that the World Cup has – but this will require influencers with the necessary reach and power. Also, which game will headline? Will it be League of Legends, one of the biggest and longest-standing esports games, or perhaps Counter-Strike? Call of Duty is also another contender, as its recent huge rise in popularity is notable.
If the legions of gamers and influencers within the esports industry cannot decide on a headlining game – in order to give esports an ‘identity’ – everything will continue to be grouped under the umbrella of ‘esports’, which could diminish its potential. Evolution is necessary, and I believe it’ll happen very quickly.
KN: The esports industry will certainly continue to grow and become even more professional. In the context of betting, this will mean a transition to a more professional relationship between market participants, whether it is obtaining broadcast rights or using data.
For spectators and fans of esports, the events will become more exciting as participation increases. We are also seeing a strong development in production standards from tournament to tournament, and this is really incredible to see. In addition, I personally expect an active expansion of esports on mobile devices which will widen the audience and will also help the emergence of a couple of exciting new disciplines in the industry.
The Esports Foundation (EF) announced the official lineup and details for the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) tournaments that will award the final spots in eight different competitions at this year’s Esports World Cup, set to be hosted in Paris, France, from July 6 through August 23.
The programme forms the final stage of qualification for EWC 2026, concluding a global Road to EWC that spans more than 230 tournaments and qualification events worldwide and is expected to engage more than 350,000 competitors across publisher ecosystems, regional leagues and official circuits.
The Last Chance Qualifier series consists of eight open tournaments across Counter-Strike 2, EA FC, Rocket League, TEKKEN 8, Chess, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves and Street Fighter 6.
Held in Paris between July 5 and August 10, the events will award the final qualification spots for 37 solo competitors and six Clubs at the Esports World Cup 2026, including four Clubs in Counter-Strike 2 and one Club each in Rocket League and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. EA FC qualifiers will advance to the Play-Ins stage, while all other LCQ winners will qualify directly for the main event.
LCQ Schedule and Qualification Slots
• Street Fighter 6 (July 5): 4 players qualify
• Chess (July 9-11): 14 players qualify
• EA FC (July 24-26): 6 players qualify for Play-Ins
• TEKKEN 8 (July 31-August 2): 4 players qualify
• Rocket League (July 31-August 2): 1 Club qualifies
• FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves (August 4-6): 4 players qualify
• Counter-Strike 2 (August 7-9): 4 Clubs qualify
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (August 8-10): 1 Club qualifies
Some of the most remarkable moments in EWC’s history have come as a result of the LCQ. In 2024, EA FC pro João “JafonsogV” Vasconcellos battled through the LCQ before going on to claim the championship, etching his name into esports history. His performance inspired the creation of the Jafonso Award, which is awarded to teams or players that win an EWC championship after qualifying through the LCQ.
In 2025, Team Falcons’ Overwatch roster pulled off that feat to not only claim the first Jafonso Award and the OWCS Midseason Championship, but win what would turn out to be a crucial tournament victory that cemented Falcons’ second straight Club Championship. In the same year, Chess Grandmasters Nihal Sarin and Levon Aronian both reached the playoffs after qualifying for the first EWC Chess main event through the LCQ.
The Esports World Cup 2026 will be hosted at Paris Expo Port de Versailles, in Paris, France, from July 6 through August 23, bringing together more than 2000 players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries across 25 tournaments and 24 games for a record-breaking $75 million+ prize pool.
The post Esports World Cup 2026 Opens Registration for Last Chance Qualifiers appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
S8UL Esports has officially qualified for the Apex Legends tournament at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 following a standout performance in the Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) 2026: Split 1 Pro League – APAC South. The qualification makes Apex Legends the fourth title in which the organization has officially secured a spot at the world’s biggest esports event.
The ALGS 2026 Split 1 Pro League – APAC South brought together 30 of the region’s top teams and was divided into two phases: the Triple Round Robin and the Regional Final. During the Triple Round Robin stage, the teams were split into three groups of 10 and competed across six match series spanning 36 games. The top 20 teams advanced to the Regional Final, with Pro League Points awarded based on performances throughout both stages. These points determined the final regular season standings, with the top eight teams securing qualification for the ALGS 2026 Split 1 Playoffs at the EWC 2026.
Competing in Group A, S8UL’s all-Australian roster of Rick Wirth (Sharky), Benjamin Spaseski (Jesko), and Tom Canty (Legacy), under the guidance of head coach Harrison Rogers (Rogers), delivered a consistent performance throughout the season. The team accumulated 106 Pro League Points during the Triple Round Robin stage to finish second in the standings and advance to the Regional Final. Building on that momentum, S8UL continued its strong run in the Regional Final, earning 21 additional Pro League Points to secure second place in the overall regular season standings with a total of 127 Pro League Points. The result secured qualification for the global event, while also earning the team USD 15,000 (approximately INR 14.2 lakh) in prize money and 1350 Championship Points towards the ALGS 2025-26 rankings.
“APAC South is one of the most competitive Apex Legends regions in the world, so qualifying for the Esports World Cup is never something you can take for granted. The team showed tremendous consistency throughout the split, which was a key part of our game plan from day one. We are excited to represent S8UL at the EWC once again and build on the momentum we have generated this year. Our focus now shifts to refining our approach, continuing to improve as a team, and preparing for the level of competition we’ll face on the international stage,” said Harrison Rogers, coach of S8UL’s Apex Legends team.
This marks the second consecutive year that S8UL will compete in Apex Legends at the EWC. After reaching the Grand Finals of the ALGS 2025 Midseason Playoffs at EWC 2025, the organization has continued to establish itself among the world’s elite teams. Earlier this year, S8UL secured a historic top-five finish at the ALGS 2026 Championship, the best-ever result achieved by an Indian esports organization in the title on the global stage. Building on that momentum, S8UL will return to EWC 2026, where 40 of the world’s top teams will compete in the ALGS 2026 Split 1 Playoffs for a prize pool of USD 2 million (~ INR 19 crore) from July 7 to July 11.
“Success in esports is rarely defined by a single tournament. It is built through sustained investment and support in players, coaching staff, and a culture that encourages excellence over the long term. Our Apex Legends team has consistently proven itself against some of the strongest competition in the APAC region, and qualifying for the Esports World Cup once again is a testament to its preparation, discipline, and hard work. As we continue expanding our global footprint, achievements like these reinforce our commitment to competing at the highest level and carrying the S8UL banner onto the biggest stages in esports,” said Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL.
Having been selected for the Esports Foundation’s Club Partner Program for the second consecutive year, S8UL earlier unveiled its most ambitious international esports campaign to date, pursuing qualification across 13 titles at the EWC 2026. While continuing to field elite international talent, the organization has also placed a strong emphasis on Indian representation across its competitive ecosystem.
That strategy has already begun delivering results. S8UL’s Honor of Kings roster, comprising Indian players, has secured qualification for EWC 2026, while Indian chess grandmasters Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram have become the only players from the country to officially qualify for the chess competition so far. The organisation has also secured qualification in Fortnite through its international roster and now adds Apex Legends to its growing list of confirmed titles at the event.
Scheduled to take place in Paris, France, from July 6 to August 23, EWC 2026 will bring together more than 2000 players representing 200 clubs from over 100 countries competing for a record-breaking prize pool of USD 75 million.
The post S8UL’s Apex Legends Team Qualifies for EWC 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Berlin-based initiative will embed researchers with teams and publish findings with partners including German Sport University Cologne.
G2 on 5 June 2026 announced the G2 Performance Lab, an applied research and innovation platform focused on performance development for its competitive rosters. The initiative is based in Berlin and has a dedicated site at.
The lab is launching with support from Red Bull and is designed to combine scientific research with day-to-day performance work across G2 teams. G2 said it intends to share outputs beyond the organisation through scientific publications and academic work with institutions including the German Sport University Cologne.
Launched earlier this year, the Performance Lab is led by PhD candidate and G2 Performance Coach Ismael Pedraza-Ramirez. Its first project, “A Space for Leaders”, focuses on leadership development across G2 staff and sits under one of four stated pillars: coaching and coach development. The other pillars are training design & delivery, player development, and performance health & support systems, with projects planned for 2026 involving academic contributors including German Sport University Cologne and Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
“As a long-standing partner of G2, Red Bull has played a central role in supporting the vision behind the G2 Performance Lab,” said Alban Dechelotte, G2 CEO. “Red Bull’s track record of investing in athlete performance and high-performance environments speaks for itself. Across traditional sports and esports alike, they share our ambition to build something truly impactful. When you have partners around the table who have that same mindset, it pushes ideas further, raises the standard, and helps challenge what’s possible.”
”The work we’re doing at the G2 Performance Lab is truly innovative for esports and sports, and is going to revolutionise how we approach performance improvement at G2 and beyond,” said Ismael Pedraza, Performance Lab Director and Performance Coach at G2. ”Elite esports competitors are incredible at what they do, yet they have the potential to go even further. Little is still known about how to properly develop them into world-class competitors, and we’re taking steps to change that with Red Bull’s support. Through robust scientific research and practical work, we’re designing the tools and building the infrastructure to bring out the best in our competitors, while also sharing our findings with the world to support the entire esports scene.”
The post G2 launches Performance Lab research unit backed by Red Bull appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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