eSports

SAF Global Gaming to Launch FIFA eSports Academy

Published

5 years ago

April 23, 2021

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

SAF Global Gaming has announced that they are going to launch their own esports academy.

Tommy Mackie will be the first player to join the academy team, recently turning 15 he has already achieved multiple Top 200 finishers in FIFA Weekend League and has several 30-0 weekends. He could have a very bright future in FIFA esports with the guidance of SAF.

The SAF FIFA academy will be a way for SAF to identify FIFA players who are not yet eligible to play in FGS events at an early age and help develop them, guiding them into future esports when eligible.

The SAF coaching team will apply a similar process to traditional sports clubs in developing FIFA talent. Academy players will undergo a regime to help them initially identify and then improve areas within their FIFA and personal skills to mould them into an all-round esports athlete.

SAF has an extensive network with over half a million followers across various social media and streaming platforms within gaming and esports. This will allow the team to run large-scale talent searches globally via online and in-person tournaments.

SAF will work closely with players’ parents to ensure that players that join the team are achieving academic results, receive mentoring within the mental health aspects of esports and have a safe environment to hone their skills and learn.

The academy players will have access to the SAF FIFA trading team, which will allow players to trade effectively, minimising the need for huge spend within the game.

Within the SAF esports team, 4 players qualified for this year’s ePremier League representing Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Aston Villa, respectively. SAF also has 3 players qualified for the FGS playoffs with hopefully a 4th joining them to play for a chance to play in the FIFAe World Cup.

“I am delighted to announce our esports academy team, it has been something we have planned to do since I joined SAF over 18 months ago,” SAF esports Manager Jon Jarvis said.

“Having spoken to Tommy and his family about our intentions for the academy, we have found a player that matches our ethos, and we are delighted to be able to work with the next generation of FIFA players.”

“As more brands look to enter the esports space, we feel that it’s vital for our players to understand the importance of creating their own brand within SAF and the wider FIFA esports ecosystem. The SAF academy will be an important part of our organisation’s ability to create esports stars of the future,” Partnerships Manager Craig Winfield said.

eSports

G2’s Otis Lawrence wins 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Championship

Published

4 hours ago

May 29, 2026

Wladimir P.

g2’s-otis-lawrence-wins-2026-f1-sim-racing-world-championship

Welsh driver beats Ismael Fahssi by two points after a 12-round season running March 27 to May 28 with a $750,000 prize pool.

G2-backed Alpine Sim Racing driver Otis Lawrence has been crowned 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Champion after the season concluded on May 28.

The 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Championship ran from March 27 to May 28 and featured a $750,000 prize pool. Drivers representing Formula 1 teams competed across four events, starting with a live opener at DreamHack Birmingham.

The title was decided at the final event. Lawrence secured multiple race victories across 12 rounds and finished top of the standings.

Lawrence won the championship by two points ahead of Scuderia Ferrari HP Esports driver Ismael Fahssi. Reigning champion Jarno Opmeer of Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing placed third overall.

The post G2’s Otis Lawrence wins 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Championship appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

eSports

Esports Foundation books Paris Expo Porte de Versailles for Esports World Cup 2026

Published

2 days ago

May 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-books-paris-expo-porte-de-versailles-for-esports-world-cup-2026

The Esports Foundation (EF) has confirmed Paris Expo Porte de Versailles as the venue for Esports World Cup 2026, scheduled to run in Paris, France, from July 06 through August 23.

EF said tickets for all 25 competitions will go on sale from Friday, May 29, 2026, via esportsworldcup.com/tickets. The organiser said the venue will host competition arenas, broadcast operations, and fan activations across the seven-week programme.

According to EF, more than 2,000 players from over 200 Clubs and more than 100 countries will compete for a $75 million prize pool as part of the event’s cross-game Club Championship. The tournament lineup spans major competitive genres, including first-person shooters, strategy, sports, MOBAs, battle royales, fighting games, racing games, and Chess.

EF also outlined ticketing tiers, including Regular Tournament Passes, Premium Tournament Passes (with fast-track entry and a limited-edition goodie bag), Daily Regular Tournament Passes, and tiered Final Day seating zones (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) for select championship matches across VALORANT, League of Legends, Rocket League, and Counter-Strike 2.

The published schedule lists Week 1 events including VALORANT (July 9–12), ALGS Year 6 Split 1 Playoffs (Apex Legends) (July 7–11), Dota 2 (July 7–12), and FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves (July 8–11), with Counter-Strike 2 closing out Week 7 from August 19–23 alongside Fortnite Reload Elite Series Championship, Trackmania, and CROSSFIRE.

The post Esports Foundation books Paris Expo Porte de Versailles for Esports World Cup 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

eSports

Esports Foundation sets Esports World Cup 2026 venue at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles

Published

2 days ago

May 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-sets-esports-world-cup-2026-venue-at-paris-expo-porte-de-versailles

Tickets go on sale May 29 for the seven-week Paris event running July 6 to August 23, with a $75 million prize pool across 25 competitions.

The Esports Foundation (EF) has confirmed Paris Expo Porte de Versailles as the venue for the Esports World Cup 2026, scheduled for July 06 through August 23 in Paris, France.

Ticket sales open Friday, May 29, 2026 via esportsworldcup.com/tickets. EF said the event will run for seven weeks and span 25 competitions, with more than 2,000 players from over 200 Clubs and more than 100 countries competing for a $75 million prize pool.

EF said Paris Expo Porte de Versailles will host competition arenas, broadcast operations, fan activations, and festival experiences. The organiser also pointed to the venue’s track record as the home of Paris Games Week since 2010 and as a site used during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Ticketing includes Regular Tournament Passes and Premium Tournament Passes, alongside Daily Regular Tournament Passes. For select championship matches across VALORANT, League of Legends, Rocket League, and Counter-Strike 2, EF said “Final Day Seating Zones” will be split into Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers.

The published schedule lists Week 1 events including VALORANT (July 9–12), ALGS Year 6 Split 1 Playoffs for Apex Legends (July 7–11), Dota 2 (July 7–12), and FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves (July 8–11), concluding in Week 7 with Counter-Strike 2 (August 19–23), Fortnite Reload Elite Series Championship (August 19–22), Trackmania (August 19–22), and CROSSFIRE (August 18–22).

The post Esports Foundation sets Esports World Cup 2026 venue at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.