eSports
Champions crowned as Riyadh Masters 2023 wraps up Dota 2 action at Gamers8

The Dota 2 Riyadh Masters 2023 competition wrapped up yesterday after 12 days of thrilling matches featuring 20 elite teams vying for victory and taking home a share of the $15,000,000 prize pool. As one of the premier tournaments in the Dota 2 calendar, Riyadh Masters 2023 ran the globe’s greatest teams through a round-robin group stage and then double-elimination playoffs in the popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA).
Among the teams competing for the top prize was Dota 2 powerhouse Team OG, the first team in Dota 2 history to win four Dota Major Championships. Team Tundra Esports, reigning champions of Dota’s iconic “The International” tournament, also headed into the 2023 Masters amongst the favorites. Of course, there could only be one winner, and this achievement went to Team Spirit, who triumphed in the final, beating Team Liquid in an encounter for the ages.
The $15,000,000 prize pool is the largest available of any Dota 2 competition this season, and the action did not disappoint, with the stakes being so high. Over 120,000 fans tuned in to the official broadcast on Twitch to witness the epic showdown. Team Spirit reached the Grand Final for the second year in a row, knocking out the season’s most dominant performer, Team Gaimin Gladiators, along the way and beating Team Liquid 2-1 in the upper-bracket final as the team looked to banish last years demons and finish in first place rather than second. Team Liquid earned a shot at their redemption by crushing Team Talon 2-0 in the lower bracket final. But the result of this eagerly anticipated rematch in the five-game Grand Final went to Team Spirit, an unassailable 3-1. As champions, Team Spirit left Gamers8 and Boulevard Riyadh City $5,000,000 richer, the runners-up collecting $2,500,000 from the overall prize pool.
Faisal bin Homran, Chief Esports Officer at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “The Dota 2 Riyadh Masters tournament at Gamers8: The Land of Heroes has captured the imagination of the thousands in attendance at Boulevard Riyadh City’s Esports Arena and the tens of millions watching avidly across the globe. Since July 19th, the global gaming and esports scene has been captivated by the exploits of the best Dota 2 teams and players in the world. Competing for a $15 million prize pool – the biggest third-party prize pool for a tournament ever – the action has been even more dramatic than anticipated and epitomizes the level of standard for which Gamers8 has become renowned. We congratulate Team Spirit on their success and thank all the teams, players, fans, sponsors, and partners at the Dota 2 Riyadh Masters for being part of a special moment in Saudi Arabian gaming history.”
Although the Riyadh Masters may have finished, there’s plenty more action on offer as part of Gamers8: The Land of Heroes in its 2023 edition. Esports athletes from around the world are competing in a 12-tournament lineup with a prize pool of $45 million to the soundtrack of musical superstars like Imagine Dragons, Alan Walker, and Metro Boomin’, who are putting on a show for the crowds at Gamers8. The festival, the world’s largest for gaming and esports, has been full of action since it kicked off in July, with seismic impacts such as Pakistan winning the Nations Cup in Tekken against a well-favored Korean team. Among the other titles taking center stage at Gamers8’s home in Boulevard Riyadh City are Rocket League, PUBG Mobile, FIFA, and Counterstrike.
Fans can enjoy further exciting events as the festival continues through August 27th, following which the Gamers8 festival will conclude with a gaming and esports forum. Known as the ‘Next World Forum,’ it brings together sector leaders and experts from around the world to Saudi Arabia. Gamers8 is playing a key role in developing the grassroots esports scene in Saudi Arabia and providing opportunities for esports athletes around the world. Over 67% of Saudi citizens are gamers, and multiple world champions have come from the Kingdom already to win on the world’s largest stages.
eSports
eWear launches aim.one – the world’s first functional gaming wear for esports athletes and gaming-fans

From hoodies to short-sleeved jerseys: the entire collection has been developed to meet the specific needs of gamers – uncompromising, highest-quality and thought-out down to the last detail.
“There is the right functional clothing for every sport – for soccer, tennis, golf… Gaming used to have this gap. Not anymore!”, say the founders.
The debut collection features 4 products and thus offers the right piece for all gamers: hoodie, longsleeve, shirt and pants. Each combines innovative functionality with comfort and style. Smart gadgets – including special ventilation zones, padding and other features to promote reaction, focus and grip – make this clothing a real support in the game.
Developed from the ground up specifically for playing at a PC, “aim.one is for everyone who wants to take their gaming to the next level – from high-end eSports pros to hobby gamers,” say the founders. “With this collection, gamers finally get their own clothing tailored to their passion!”
The product launch will take place via Kickstarter on the 5th of August!
Until launch, Gamers can unlock MVP status for only a €/$1 donation. This grants up to 35% discount during the campaign — plus a free nickname print on their apparel.
The post eWear launches aim.one – the world’s first functional gaming wear for esports athletes and gaming-fans appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
Stake strikes international esports partnership with Team Vitality

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Team Vitality is proud to unveil a landmark multi-year partnership with Stake, the world’s leading online casino and sportsbook platform, in a major seven-figure agreement.
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As the official international betting partner of Team Vitality’s Counter-Strike 2 roster, Stake will benefit from a comprehensive activation plan: prominent jersey placement, high-impact brand campaigns across social media, innovative content production, and exclusive access to players.
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Unveiled at IEM Cologne 2025, one of the most prestigious events on the Counter-Strike calendar, the partnership marks a new chapter in Stake’s ongoing expansion into esports. It also highlights the increasing appeal of the industry to global brands seeking visibility, high-value engagement, and premium positioning on the international stage.
Team Vitality today announces a major multi-year agreement with Stake, a global leader in the betting and gaming sector. Through this partnership, Stake becomes the official international partner of Team Vitality’s CS2 team, with the ambition of establishing a strong presence in the esports ecosystem. The two organisations will collaborate on exclusive content and bold creative activations. First stop: IEM Cologne, where the team will debut its new jersey featuring Stake’s branding at one of the most iconic events in competitive Counter-Strike.
With this collaboration, Team Vitality joins the ranks of established global sports such as Formula 1, MMA, and football, solidifying its place in the mainstream sports landscape and taking another step forward in the global recognition of esports.
STAKE JOINS FORCES WITH THE BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD
This alliance comes at a landmark moment for Team Vitality’s Counter-Strike 2 roster, which has made history this year by winning multiple consecutive titles, including the prestigious ESL Grand Slam and Blast Austin Major last month. Recognised as a global powerhouse in the CS2 scene, the team embodies a culture of bold ambition, elite performance, and the thrill of competition – values shared by Stake. This partnership brings together two brands that place intensity and excellence at the core of their identity.
Stake will play a key role in supporting the CS2 roster throughout the world’s most prominent international competitions. First, the brand will be featured across Team Vitality CS’s digital platforms. Second, the two brands will co-create premium content activations and provide fans with exclusive player access year-round. Lastly, Stake’s logo will appear on the front and left collarbone of the team’s official jersey.
PARTNERSHIP KICKS OFF IN COLOGNE
As the reigning champions of last year’s tournament, Team Vitality is launching this partnership at a pivotal moment in the competitive calendar. IEM Cologne is one of the most iconic and widely followed tournaments on the Counter-Strike circuit, with the 2024 edition attracting over one million viewers – making it the second most-watched CS event of the year.
This event gathers a passionate global audience and provides a powerful platform to associate Stake with the highest level of competition and emotion. It is a strategic opportunity to activate the partnership during a peak moment of tension, spectacle, and performance – creating a strong, authentic connection between the brand, the team, and Vitality fans worldwide.
“This partnership with Stake is historic: not only for its scale but also for its symbolic value. It reflects the success of our ambition to establish Team Vitality as a leading global esports brand, alongside the biggest names in their respective industries. At a defining point in our Counter-Strike journey, this collaboration will allow us to create innovative experiences, offer exclusive content around our team, and support our CS2 roster as it reaches new competitive heights,” said Vas Roberts, co-CEO of Team Vitality.
“This partnership brings together two industry powerhouses: Stake, a global leader in betting and entertainment, and Team Vitality, the reigning CS2 world champions. This collaboration adds esports to our globally renowned portfolio of sports and entertainment partnerships, with Team Vitality representing exactly the caliber of world-class partner we seek as we enter the esports arena,” said Akhil Sarin, Chief Marketing Officer at Stake.
The post Stake strikes international esports partnership with Team Vitality appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
NODWIN Gaming Partners with Sony LIV for Streaming Rights of Esports World Cup 2025

NODWIN Gaming, South Asia’s leading esports and gaming company, has announced that Sony LIV has acquired the Hindi and English language media rights for select matches of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, further amplifying the tournament’s reach and representation across India.
As part of the partnership, Sony LIV will stream select matches from the Esports World Cup in India, bringing the action to millions of fans in languages they resonate with. The Hindi-language broadcast will be available exclusively on the Sony LIV app and official website.
In addition, Sony LIV will also stream the weekly shows, behind-the-scenes features and player interactions spotlighting EWC athletes and teams, curated for both core and casual esports audiences. This collaboration follows NODWIN Gaming’s recent partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) to manage media rights and regional distribution across South Asia.
Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, said: “Our goal is to bring the Esports World Cup to as many passionate fans across South Asia as possible, and this partnership with Sony LIV is a major step in that direction. It combines Sony LIV’s incredible reach with NODWIN’s focus on building localized, fan-first esports experiences. With both Hindi and premium English content, we are creating a viewing experience that feels personal, immersive, and truly regional.”
With the addition of Sony LIV as the exclusive Hindi broadcast partner and NODWIN Gaming as the strategic regional media and marketing partner, the EWC is poised to reach unprecedented heights in South Asia. This aligns with the mission of making esports more inclusive, accessible and locally relevant.
With top-tier Indian talent competing across multiple titles, the Esports World Cup 2025 presents a unique opportunity to showcase India’s growing presence in global esports and to unite audiences around a shared national dream.
The post NODWIN Gaming Partners with Sony LIV for Streaming Rights of Esports World Cup 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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