eSports
EXCEL ESPORTS appoints ex FUSE Director Shahin Rasti as new Head of Partnerships
Today, EXCEL ESPORTS is pleased to announce the appointment of Shahin Rasti as the new Head of Partnerships. Shahin moves into esports having previously worked at sport and entertainment agency – FUSE. In his new role, Rasti will support EXCEL’s existing set of partners, bringing on new commercial partners as well as continuing to grow the organisation’s partnerships team.
With over 10 years of experience within the sports and entertainment marketing industry, Shahin specialises in the creation, strategy and activation of brand partnerships. Working with some of the largest brands and rights holders across the industry, his previous clients include the likes of Subway, Formula 1, Samsung, VISA, Arsenal FC, Santander, ASICS, Allianz and FedEX. With an increasing interest in esports from the sports industry, Shahin has also provided consultancy with esports rights holders including FACEIT, SK Gaming and the UEFA eChampions League.
Shahin will be leading the servicing of EXCEL’s existing partner portfolio, which boasts industry-leading partners including FTSE 100 companies JD Sports and EE as well as the UK’s largest food delivery platform Just Eat, through supporting and creating their core partnership strategy as well as activating and managing their contractual rights. He will also be ensuring the team is driving as much value for existing sponsors at major esports events throughout the year, starting with this year’s League of Legends European Championship Summer Split.
With an overarching vision to create the best partnership offering, platform and content creation in gaming and esports, Shahin will work on bringing in new commercial partners, making sure that all brands EXCEL works with will drive value for the organisation in both the short and long term but also engage with its community in a meaningful and effective way. He will also lead a continuously growing partnerships team, making sure the organisation develops and recruits the best talent within the industry. Shahin’s appointment follows a recent string of new hires for the organisation’s commercial team, including new Partnerships Executive, Sara Leghari.
Shahin Rasti, EXCEL ESPORTS new Head of Partnerships comments: “I’m excited to be joining EXCEL as their new Head of Partnerships. It felt like the right time to move into the ever growing esports space and EXCEL’s journey and vision really stood out to me. The organisation are doing things the right way; with the Power of Better manifesto and building the brand authentically, which continues to resonate and attract a multitude of fans. This strong cultural growth has attracted some of the largest brands in sponsorship, so I am really excited to be a part of the team!”
Mark Carter, Commercial Director at EXCEL ESPORTS comments: “I’m delighted to welcome Sha to the EXCEL family. Sha’s experience working in leading agencies and with major UK and international brands, will be pivotal in how EXCEL develops, articulates and activates its partner propositions as we continue our expansion in the UK and beyond.”
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eSports
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
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
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.
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