eSports
World Esports Championship Finals Underway with Thrilling Opening Ceremony
The International Esports Federation (IESF) 2023 World Esports Championship Finals officially kicked off on August 25 with a grand Opening Ceremony at the Palace of Culture in Iași, Romania. A record number of 111 countries from six continents have qualified and will compete for national pride and the coveted WE Championship trophy. The competition will conclude on September 4.
The Opening Ceremony, hosted by prominent esports presenter James Banks and former professional player Jon Kefaloukos, featured electrifying performances from KISS FM radio Romania, fireworks, and a drone show that celebrated the historic and youthful energy of Iași, as well as IESF’s commitment to diversity and reaching international audiences. The Ceremony for the 15th edition of the WE Championships had 5,000 fans in attendance and also featured a parade of nations, highlighting IESF’s rich tradition of hosting the sole international esports competition where athletes compete representing their flags.
IESF President Vlad Marinescu said during the Ceremony: “As we gather here in the vibrant city of Iasi for the opening of the 15th World Esports Championship, we celebrate not just a tournament, but a global family brought together by our shared love for competitive gaming. In the heart of this city, let us remember that Esports isn’t merely about victories and defeats—it’s about forging connections that span cultures and continents.”
Iași Mayor Mihai Cirica was present at the Ceremony and said: “The spirit of Esports resonates deeply with our community. My gratitude goes to everyone who worked tirelessly to make this happen. Together, we embrace the values of competition and unity that IESF represents. Let’s make history for Iasi in this global Esports arena.”
Prior to the Opening Ceremony, IESF held a special pre-ceremony event where the CS:GO theme song was played by a philharmonic orchestra for the first time in honor of Romania’s rich and historic culture. This year’s WE Championship will be unlike any other, complete with concerts and performances from top artists such as Armin van Buuren, a ComicCon festival, and activations with IESF partner FitGMR to ensure mental and physical well-being throughout the competition.
The world’s best esports players will compete across six featured game titles: CS: GO, Tekken 7, PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Dota 2, and eFootball™ for a grand prize of USD 500,000. During the 2023 WE Championship, all participating countries competing with live results and schedules can be accessed through IESF’s World Esports Championship platform.
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Thunderpick, the leading esports betting platform delivering fans cutting-edge tools and experiences, announced that FURIA has emerged victorious at the Thunderpick World Championship 2025 — one of the tournament’s most competitive editions yet, featuring four of the world’s top 10 ranked teams. FURIA takes home the $500,000 first-place prize, with KSCERATO earning his first Grand Final MVP.
FURIA’s steady performance and relentless focus were on full display throughout the tournament, culminating in a Finals victory over Natus Vincere. After NAVI went up two maps to zero, FURIA did what many thought was impossible and completed a dominant reverse sweep with a 13:1 on the decisive map.
Natus Vincere finished second place, earning $150,000. The MongolZ, who won the Thunderpick World Championship last year, finished third after defeating Aurora earlier in the day, receiving $70,000 and $50,000, respectively. Venom, 9z, Imperial and OG all placed fifth through eighth, taking home $20,000 each.
“It is a privilege to congratulate FURIA as the Thunderpick World Champions! This tournament was thrilling, featuring exceptional gameplay. The success of our World Championship is thanks to the incredible teams, streamers, partners, staff, and everyone behind the scenes who made it possible, as well as the passionate fans who make this event so special,” said Kelly Sanders, Head of Strategy at Thunderpick.
This year marks the third consecutive Thunderpick World Championship. Last year, The MongolZ stunned HEROIC to claim their third international title of the season, cementing their status on the global CS2 stage. In 2023, FaZe Clan took the crown after defeating Virtus.pro, with Robin “ropz” Kool earning the MVP title. The TWC 2025 Finals are presented in collaboration with Hotspawn, a leading hub for esports news and analysis.
The post FURIA Pulls Off the Reverse Sweep to Win Thunderpick World Championship 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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LEON Esports is excited to announce a new partnership with GamerLegion’s Counter-Strike 2 team — a leading German esports organization ranked among the top 15 teams in the world, renowned for its consistent top-tier performances.
This collaboration marks a new chapter for LEON Esports, as the brand continues to expand its presence in competitive gaming. Over the years, LEON has become an active force in esports — supporting professional teams and hosting its own tournaments across titles like CS2, Dota, Free Fire and Deadlock.
Together with GamerLegion, LEON Esports aims to bring even more action and engagement to fans — with exclusive offers, special markets, social media giveaways, and more challenges made for true esports and betting enthusiasts.
This partnership follows LEON’s successful collaborations with other major esports organizations such as SAW (Portugal), FlyQuest (Australia), and NFA (Brazil) — strengthening its position as one of the key players in the global esports scene.
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The post LEON Esports announces partnership with GamerLegion’s CS2 team appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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HAVIT, a leading global consumer tech brand, announced a strategic partnership with Galatasaray Esports, one of Turkey’s most iconic and influential esports teams. This collaboration aims to energise the rapidly growing Turkish gaming ecosystem with cutting-edge gear.
Galatasaray, a symbol of pride, passion and excellence with over a century of sporting heritage, has extended its winning spirit into the digital arena through Galatasaray Esports, now a powerhouse in competitive gaming. By partnering with Galatasaray Esports, HAVIT is not only equipping the team with cutting-edge gaming gear to enhance professional performance but also bringing more high-performance gaming gear to redefine the esports experience in Turkey.
With this partnership, HAVIT and Galatasaray Esports will work together to open a new chapter for Turkish esports. In upcoming competitions, Galatasaray Esports will continue to showcase its strength and team spirit, representing Turkey with pride on the international stage. Meanwhile, HAVIT will provide full support with its outstanding gaming gear, empowering the team to reach new heights.
The post HAVIT Partners with Legendary Galatasaray Esports appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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