eSports
Virtus.pro triumphs at ESL Challenger Katowice and secures a spot at ESL Pro League Season 18
ESL Challenger Katowice came to a thrilling conclusion on June 11, as Virtus.pro rose above the competition to lift the coveted trophy, take home $50,000 of the $100,000 total prize pool, and earn a spot in the upcoming ESL Pro League (EPL) Season 18!
ESL Challenger provides an opportunity for rising Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) teams to prove themselves and climb the ladder within the ESL Pro Tour (EPT) for CS:GO to ultimately reach the top. As the tournament made its way to the Polish city of Katowice – a place that has solidified its position as a breeding ground for new champions for over a decade – it was a remarkable moment for Virtus.pro to emerge victorious.
This weekend was filled with many exciting moments as eight teams faced off in ESL Challenger Katowice. After a flawless performance in Group A, Virtus.pro was the first team to confirm their spot in the Playoffs, followed by ENCE, 9z, and FORZE. Continuing their dominating streak, Virtus.pro secured their spot in the Grand Final after a 2-0 win against 9z, while ENCE effortlessly progressed after a 2-0 win over FORZE in the other Semi-final matchup.
After three thrilling maps of the Grand Final and both teams showcasing their skills and determination, Virtus.pro ruled over the reigning Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) Dallas 2023 Champions ENCE and managed to secure a hard-fought victory with a 2-1 score.
By winning ESL Challenger Katowice, Virtus.pro has now qualified for the next season of EPL, which is set to take place in Malta, beginning on August 30 and running for five weeks until October 1. The tournament will see 32 of the world’s best CS:GO teams pit against one another to ultimately secure the coveted title, the lion’s share of the $850,000 prize pool, and a win in the Intel® Grand Slam V race.
This is what the current line-up for EPL Season 18 looks like:
- Astralis (Partner team)
- BIG (Partner team)
- Complexity (Partner team)
- ENCE (Partner team)
- Evil Geniuses (Partner team)
- FaZe Clan (Partner team)
- Fnatic (Partner team)
- FURIA (Partner team)
- G2 Esports (Partner team)
- Heroic (Partner team)
- MOUZ (Partner team)
- Natus Vincere (Partner team)
- Ninjas in Pyjamas (Partner team)
- Team Liquid (Partner team)
- Team Vitality (Partner team)
- Movistar Riders (Qualified via ESL Challenger Melbourne)
- Virtus.pro (Qualified via ESL Challenger Katowice)
- Monte (Qualified via ECL S44 EU)
- MIBR (Qualified via ECL S44 NA)
- Lynn Vision (Qualified via ECL S44 Asia)
- Apeks (Qualified via ECL S45 EU)
- ATK (Qualified via ECL S45 NA)
- Rare Atom (Qualified via ECL S45 Asia)
- The remaining nine teams will qualify via ESL National Championships (four teams), their spot in the ESL World Ranking (three teams), or regional qualifiers (two teams).
The Global Esports Federation at its 16th Board Meeting approved the draft program for the Los Angeles 2026 Global Esports Games, to be held in December 2026. This follows the earlier announcement of Los Angeles as host city at a major ceremony hosted by Los Angeles Times Media Group Executive Chairman & CEO Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel—now marking a significant milestone on the road to GEF’s flagship event in the United States.
The GEF Board also unanimously elected Paul J. Foster as President of the Global Esports Federation. Paul, who is GEF Chief Executive Officer, was appointed President ad interim following the resignation of founding President Chris Chan in July, and now assumes the role of President & CEO through December 2027.
In addition, the GEF Board approved the establishment of frameworks to develop the esports ecosystem in the United States, anchored in Los Angeles. This initiative will strengthen the GEF’s connections with stakeholders worldwide and reinforce its mission to elevate esports for all.
The outcomes of GEF 16th Board Meeting reaffirm the GEF’s role as a convening platform, uniting athletes, publishers, Member Federations, and partners to power the future of esports globally.
The post Global Esports Federation confirms program for Los Angeles 2026 Global Esports Games appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
- Team Vitality launches 2025 Alternate Jersey and an exclusive apparel collection, bringing a new level of energy and excitement for fans.
- The jersey, featuring a white base with red and blue accents, pays homage to the French flag and will be worn by all Team Vitality athletes at major esports events taking place in France later this year, including the Rocket League Worlds and EVO Nice.
- The Alternate Jersey is available today for €79.99, both online and at Team Vitality’s official Paris store.
Team Vitality is proud to unveil its new Alternate Jersey, accompanied by an exclusive apparel collection. This launch completes the club’s annual merchandise lineup, following the release of the black Pro Jersey earlier this year and the iconic yellow US-style Jersey worn during the Austin Major triumph.
This Alternate edition, featuring the French blue, white and red, honours Team Vitality’s Parisian roots while celebrating the major esports events set to close out the year in France.
The jersey will feature on the global stage with the Rocket League team at the World Championships from September 12 to 14.
PERFORMANCE MEETS LIFESTYLE
The Alternate Collection features a new, stylish jersey and a limited-edition clothing line that blends performance and lifestyle. As with every year, the Alternate Jersey is traditionally white, serving as a complement to the black Pro Jersey released earlier in the year.
Designed in collaboration with hummel, the jersey combines comfort and performance, offering a lightweight fit built to withstand the demands of competitive play. The accompanying exclusive apparel collection follows the same artistic vision, offering clothing and accessories designed for everyday wear. This brand-new lifestyle range, along with exclusive items, reflects the club’s distinctive style.
ALTERNATE JERSEY
- Team Vitality’s Alternate 2025 Jersey – €79.99
- Team Vitality’s Alternate 2025 Sleeves – €29.99
- Exclusive Vitality Alternate 2025 Pack – €79.99 (includes 1 Alternate Jersey and a complimentary pair of exclusive sleeves)
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LIFESTYLE COLLECTION
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Sweatshirt – €59.99
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 T-Shirt – €29.99
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Jacket – €69.99
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Joggers – €54.99
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ACCESSORIES
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Scarf – €19.99
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Flag – €24.99
- Collector Cards (set of 3 or 8 trading cards) – €5.99
- Mouse Pad (small / large) – €19.99 / €29.99
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The post TEAM VITALITY AND HUMMEL LAUNCH ALTERNATE JERSEY AND EXCLUSIVE APPAREL COLLECTION appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Skyesports, the premier global IP and community builder, has successfully wrapped up the first-ever edition of Gaming Thiruvizha at the Chennai Trade Centre on August 30–31, bringing together more than 17,000 fans across two unforgettable days of gaming, anime, stand-up comedy, cosplay, music, and culture.
Gaming Thiruvizha turned out to be more than an event as it became a two-day carnival. From esports showdowns at LAN zones to cosplay walks, live stand-up, and Tamil cultural showcases, the Chennai crowd transformed the Trade Centre into a festival that truly belonged to them. Fans didn’t just attend; they stayed, celebrated, and created memories together.
The audience mix was as vibrant as the festival itself: college students, families, and kids all came together, proving that gaming and anime are no longer niche hobbies, but shared cultural movements.
Powered by AMD, with ticketing exclusively on KYN, Gaming Thiruvizha was hosted in association with the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and supported by AGS Cinemas as the Chennai Edition Theatre Partner.
Commenting on the conclusion of the Gaming Thiruvizha, Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO, Skyesports, said, “We couldn’t have asked for a better first edition of the Gaming Mahotsav. The energy of the crowd and the diversity of the audience reminded us why we built this IP — to bridge the gap between casual gamers and esports, and to create a space where gaming, anime, and culture thrive together. Next up, we will be bringing the concept to Bangalore in late September,” said Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO of Skyesports.
The festival also welcomed dignitaries including Meghantha Reddy (Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu), Darez A. (MD, Guidance Tamil Nadu), and Gayathri Thyagarajan (Founder & CEO, Kynhood Technologies), underlining the growing recognition of gaming and esports as part of Tamil Nadu’s cultural and creative economy.
Highlights of the event include:
- LAN tournaments across BGMI, Valorant, and other titles, with fans cheering players on in true stadium style.
- A pan-India Cosplay competition bringing cosplayers from across the country with stunning costumes judged by top creators and anime experts.
- Red Bull Armageddon, India’s first all-Armageddon format chess tournament, brought together over 350 players in Chennai with International Master Tania Sachdev and Grandmaster M. Shyam Sundar leading the action.
- Merch alleys buzzing with anime and gaming collectibles alongside local Tamil art.
- Stand-out experiential booths and meet-and-greets with Team Tamilas, Autobotz Esports, and Welt Esports.
- PVR Cinemas set up local food experience stalls for attendees
With India on track to reach 700 million gamers by 2027, and anime/cosplay engagement skyrocketing across social media, Gaming Thiruvizha demonstrated that hyperlocal, immersive festivals are the way forward.
Gaming Thiruvizha is the first chapter of Skyesports’ Gaming Mahotsav, a six-city touring pop culture festival with regional editions in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kochi, and Pune. Each stop blends gaming, anime, music, comics, and local culture into one cohesive community celebration.
The post Skyesports Wraps Up Gaming Thiruvizha – Chennai Edition With 17,000+ Fans in Attendance appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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