eSports
Christine Giampaoli Zonca joins Veloce Racing for 2022 Extreme E campaign
Italian-Canarian driver welcomed by London-based squad for renewed bid in the all-electric off-road championship
The future of Veloce Racing’s Extreme E outfit has been revealed today (Thursday, 6 January) as Christine Giampaoli Zonca – or Christine GZ as she is otherwise known – joins one of the most revolutionary motorsport teams in the industry.
A brilliant second-place finish in Senegal behind eventual champions RXR was undoubtedly the highlight of Veloce’s inaugural season in Extreme E, while pacey outings in Greenland, Sardinia and Dorset showed that the London-based squad has the speed to consistently compete at the sharp end.
DECEMBER 18: Jamie Chadwick (GBR)/Lance Woolridge (ZAF), Veloce Racing during the Jurassic X-Prix on December 18, 2021. (Photo by Sam Bloxham / LAT Images)
After an auspicious first year in the series, Veloce and Competition Partner ART Grand Prix are looking ahead to 2022, aiming to build on the promising foundations laid by the partnership last season.
Having made her full-time debut in 2014, Christine GZ boasts an impressive off-road résumé. She has participated in a number of high-profile events in recent years, notching a seventh-place finish at the infamous Baja 1000 and third in the T2 category of the Andalucía Road to Dakar Rally.
Together with Christine and its yet to be announced male driver, Veloce Racing is confident that a combination of ultra-skilled racers and a highly ambitious team behind the scenes will yield eye-catching results in 2022.
Christine GZ, Driver, Veloce Racing said: “I’m so excited to be joining Veloce Racing this year! They did an amazing job last season after a really tough start in Saudi Arabia, the car looked really competitive across 2021.
“I learnt a lot last year and I think that’s important going into Extreme E’s second season. Together with the team, I think we can achieve great things and we’ll definitely be targeting podiums and more!”
Rupert Svendsen-Cook, Team Principal, Veloce Racing added: “Just like Extreme E has learnt and evolved, so have we as a team at Veloce. From a driving as well as a team perspective, the challenges of the series are unique in the world of motorsport – when you consider the very limited mileage achieved throughout a race weekend and ultimately the season, in a totally ‘lift the blindfold and go’ race weekend format with no permitted prior circuit layout knowledge, terrain info or pace notes.
“Naturally this element will become less of a factor in time as we become accustomed to the cars and all teams refine the best way to approach Extreme E’s format – but the ‘reaction to the random’ element as currently implemented is one of the most influential to performance in our analysis. With a very short break between Season 1 and 2, we’ve not backed off to ensure we kick off 2022 on the right foot and Christine GZ stood out as a driver above all others, who with very limited mileage, made very impressive as well as rapid progress in 2021.
“For us, Christine’s talent is certain, and we’re committed to maximising her potential through further development to ensure we capitalise on that for our shared success. We’re delighted to welcome Christine to our very close knit Veloce family and we’re excited for what the future holds for us together.”
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Agganis Arena
RLCS Boston Major Becomes Most Watched Event in Rocket League History
The Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) Boston Major 2026 has officially become the most-watched event in Rocket League esports history, setting a new benchmark for global engagement and competitive excellence.
Held at Agganis Arena in Boston, the Major concluded with a thrilling all-French Grand Final, where Gentlemates defeated tournament favourites Team Vitality 4:2 to claim the first Major title of the 2026 season.
Record-Breaking Viewership Milestone
The RLCS Boston Major 2026 delivered unprecedented audience numbers:
- Peak Viewers: 624,316 concurrent viewers
- Average Viewership: Over 270,000 viewers
- First RLCS event ever to surpass 600,000 concurrent viewers
This milestone represents a 33.3% increase over the previous all-time peak recorded at the 2022–23 RLCS World Championship, highlighting sustained year-over-year growth and expanding global interest in Rocket League esports.
The event’s performance reinforces RLCS as one of the fastest-growing competitive circuits in modern esports.
A Grand Final Worthy of the Record
The Boston Major culminated in a high-stakes French showdown between Gentlemates and Team Vitality. The 4:2 victory secured Gentlemates’ first Major trophy of the season and signaled a shift in competitive power dynamics heading deeper into 2026.
The all-French final further amplified international audience engagement, particularly across European broadcast markets, contributing significantly to the event’s record-breaking concurrent viewership.
Global Broadcast Reach and Multi-Language Coverage
Beyond peak numbers, the Boston Major showcased:
- Multi-language broadcast streams
- Cross-platform digital distribution
- Strong in-arena attendance
- Expanded regional fan engagement
Hosted in front of thousands of live fans at Agganis Arena, the event combined traditional arena esports spectacle with robust online streaming performance — a formula that continues to fuel RLCS’s accelerating global momentum.
What This Means for Rocket League Esports
The 2026 Boston Major marks a defining moment for the RLCS ecosystem:
- Sustained Global Growth – The consistent upward trend in viewership confirms Rocket League’s staying power within the esports landscape.
- Mainstream Momentum – Breaking the 600K peak threshold positions RLCS among elite-tier esports events globally.
- Competitive Depth – The diversity and intensity of international competition continue to elevate the broadcast product.
- Commercial Validation – Record audience metrics strengthen sponsorship, media rights, and long-term circuit investment potential.
As the 2026 season progresses, the Boston Major sets a new performance benchmark that future Majors and the World Championship will aim to surpass.
The post RLCS Boston Major Becomes Most Watched Event in Rocket League History appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Brazilian Carnival
Esportes da Sorte transforms Carnival 2026 into a nationwide immersive experience
Leading Brazilian iGaming company Esportes da Sorte has transformed Carnival 2026 into a nationwide immersive experience, activating urban art installations, hydration stations and large‑scale attractions across nine cities in Brazil. As part of its expanded cultural engagement strategy, the brand is serving as an official sponsor in key Carnival locations and delivering experiential initiatives designed for revelers in the streets and major public spaces.
Esportes da Sorte’s nationwide platform builds on its history of investing in popular culture and public events, moving beyond traditional branding to create meaningful on‑site activations that enhance the urban environment and respond to the unique character of each city’s Carnival celebrations.
In Rio de Janeiro, the company’s efforts focus on the street Carnival experience with hydration points, cool zones and shaded areas in high‑traffic celebration routes. São Paulo’s megabloc circuits feature water trucks, hydration stations and on‑site urban support.
In Recife Antigo, one of Carnival’s cultural centers, Esportes da Sorte installed a standout Ferris wheel at Marco Zero, offering panoramic views of the festivities and historic landscape. Urban transformations like video mapping on iconic buildings and aerial installations along Rua Marquês de Olinda further blend public space with the Carnival experience.
Other cities such as Olinda and Salvador also feature tailored activations, including sensory design, refreshment tunnels and themed artistic displays that align with local traditions and festival dynamics.
In addition to physical structures, the initiative includes a robust communications strategy, sensory activations, public well‑being supports and content campaigns that amplify the carnival‑street experience across digital and traditional media.
According to Germana Casal, Production Coordinator at the Esportes Gaming Brasil Group, the goal is to “be present in a meaningful way at the country’s biggest popular celebration,” respecting each city’s identity and delivering initiatives that improve the Carnival experience for participants.
Esportes da Sorte’s Carnival 2026 project builds on the brand’s presence at more than 100 Carnival parties and street blocos in 2025, reinforcing its leadership role in Brazil’s largest cultural event and deepening its connection with urban celebration culture nationwide.
The post Esportes da Sorte transforms Carnival 2026 into a nationwide immersive experience appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
chess esports
Team Vitality announces E.Leclerc as new Main Partner
Team Vitality, one of France’s leading esports organizations, has announced a strategic new partnership with French retail giant E.Leclerc, naming the supermarket chain as the club’s Main Partner for 2026.
Under the agreement, E.Leclerc’s logo will feature prominently on Team Vitality’s international team jerseys, including rosters for League of Legends (LEC and LFL), Valorant (VCT EMEA), Rocket League, Rising Bees and Chess.
Shared Values and Fan Initiatives
The partnership aims to promote accessibility, wellness, and nutrition within the esports community, while bringing gaming culture into E.Leclerc retail spaces through immersive experiences, tournaments and activations designed to engage fans across France.
Team Vitality’s holistic wellbeing program, KARE, which supports performance, nutrition and mental health, aligns closely with E.Leclerc’s focus on responsible lifestyle initiatives. Together, they plan to champion inclusivity, provide unique gaming opportunities, and celebrate esports culture in both digital and physical environments.
With a global audience exceeding 10 million followers, Team Vitality’s influence in competitive gaming makes this partnership a landmark moment for both brands. E.Leclerc’s commitment to youth engagement and cultural connection positions the retailer as a significant non‑endemic supporter of the growing esports ecosystem.
Nicolas Maurer, CEO and Co‑Founder of Team Vitality, described the alliance as a historic milestone that will broaden esports’ reach across everyday life in France and reinforce its cultural legitimacy.
The post Team Vitality announces E.Leclerc as new Main Partner appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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