eSports
ESI Hall of Fame 2023 Edition Awards Will be Part of World Esports Summit 2023
Esports Insider has announced that the 2023 edition of the ESI Hall of Fame awards will be held at the World Esports Summit in Busan, South Korea in collaboration with Headline Partner – IESF.
The event will be taking place on the evening of 28th November as part of the 8th edition of the WE Summit, which last year hosted over 150 attendees and 40 speakers within esports, sports, global brands, government officials and key industry leaders over a 3 day event.
The ESI Hall of Fame looks to recognise individuals from across the world that have made large impacts with their work and continue to make a difference in the esports industry. Since the first ceremony in 2018, the awards have taken place across the globe in previous years including London, Los Angeles, and now to Busan. The 2023 Edition of ESI Hall of Fame will be the first time it will be hosted in the APAC region.
The Hall of Fame 2023 ceremony will see five awards presented. These include:
- Hall of Famer – Presented to an individual for their outstanding contribution and growth to the esports industry.
- Rising Industry Star – Recognising the impact and achievement of a younger individual within the industry that is already making a difference.
- Community Champion – Focused on awarding an individual that is using esports to make a positive social impact within local communities and the esports grassroots scene.
- Youth Champion – Presented to an individual that is inspiring the next generation by contributing through esports programmes both in and out of educational institutions.
- To be announced – IESF Award
Individuals are chosen by ESI from a selection of people that have been nominated by other industry professionals. These individuals will be chosen based on their contribution to the development of the esports industry and the difference their work has made in the sector.
To date, the ESI Hall of Fame has had 14 inductees with “Hall of Famer” award winners including Jason ‘1’ Lake (Founder & CEO of Complexity Gaming), Heather ‘sapphiRe’ Garozzo (ex-Counter-Strike Observer and Founder of Raidiant), Mike Sepso (CSO at ESL FACEIT Group) and Sue ‘Smix’ Lee (VP Talent Management at RTS).
Esportes Gaming Brasil director Hugo Baungartner used a panel appearance at BiS Brasília (Brazilian iGaming Summit) to argue that sports and cultural sponsorships should be measured by their long-term impact, not just brand visibility. Baungartner spoke during the session “A Importância dos Patrocínios e das Leis de Incentivo para a Sustentabilidade do Esporte e da Cultura.”
During the debate, Baungartner said sector maturity requires a long-term approach that turns sponsorships into platforms for relationship-building and local ecosystem development, connecting with fans, consumers and communities.
He highlighted the group’s sports partnerships with Corinthians, Ceará, Náutico and Ferroviária, as well as support for Brazilian cultural events including Carnaval, São João and the Festival de Parintins. Baungartner said major events can move entire supply chains by boosting tourism, commerce and job opportunities, and pointed to the importance of working with local suppliers and professionals in Parintins to expand the positive impacts of sponsorship spending.
Baungartner also addressed challenges in Brazil’s regulated betting market, saying consolidation depends on governance, integrity and consumer protection, alongside efforts to combat illegal operators. He said advances in provider regulation and stronger financial traceability mechanisms are important steps to limit unauthorized activity and improve user security.
“Patrocínio responsável é aquele que cria conexão real com o público e deixa legado no território. No esporte e na cultura, isso significa investir com governança, transparência e propósito, fortalecendo um ecossistema que gera renda, emprego e oportunidades”, afirmou.
The post Esportes Gaming Brasil exec calls for ‘responsible sponsorship’ at BiS Brasília appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
eSports
Team Vitality and Fulllife Unveil a New FPS Jersey for the Valorant Masters London and IEM Cologne Major 2026
Team Vitality has unveiled its new “FPS Jersey,” specially designed for IEM Cologne 2026 and the VALORANT Masters 2026 in collaboration with its apparel partner Fulllife. Conceived as a strong symbol of ambition, performance and legacy, the jersey features an exclusive central crest and introduces a bold visual evolution for the club.
After making history on Counter-Strike, Team Vitality is celebrating its FPS DNA through a jersey dedicated to its two flagship titles. Through this initiative, the club reinforces its ambition to leave a lasting mark on the world’s biggest FPS stages and establish this jersey as a new benchmark within the esports industry.
AN EXCEPTIONAL JERSEY FOR A HISTORIC MOMENT
For this new release, Team Vitality embraces a completely new visual approach. For the first time in the club’s history, purple is introduced alongside its iconic yellow and black colours, in line with the organisation’s new 2026 artistic direction. This bold creative choice allows the jersey to stand out within the esports landscape while surprising and exciting fans.
The symbol featured on the front of the jersey reinterprets an iconic part of the club’s logo: the “V” combined with the lower section of the bee’s body. This graphic element, called the “Mini Bee,” is integrated throughout the jersey’s design to symbolise the swarm — representing collective strength, the identity of the Hive and the power of the Team Vitality community.
Fulllife has brought its technical expertise to a piece designed both for competition and for the fans in the stands. Every detail reflects the club’s continued rise on the international stage and its ambition to leave a lasting legacy in esports. The accompanying apparel collection also incorporates the same colour palette and includes lifestyle pieces designed for everyday wear.
“We are extremely proud of this new FPS-focused marketing campaign — a true love letter to Counter-Strike and VALORANT. An exclusive jersey, a dedicated fan zone, and numerous activations created hand in hand with our partners for our fans… We are ready for two major international events, with the clear ambition of continuing to establish Team Vitality among the best esports clubs in the world,” said Amélie Canet, Chief Marketing Officer.
PERFORMANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY
The FPS Jersey is manufactured in Portugal using NanoMatter, a technical fabric made from 100% recycled polyester and specifically developed for competitive players. Ultra-comfortable, lightweight and breathable, it is designed to perform under the most demanding conditions.
Each order is delivered in Fulllife’s iconic Capsule packaging, redesigned in Team Vitality’s colors, FSC-certified and accompanied by 100% recycled and recyclable polybags.
“This jersey is one of the boldest pieces we have ever produced. Our role was to bring a strong creative vision to life using the best materials and manufacturing processes available, delivering a product that truly reflects Team Vitality’s ambitions on the international stage,” said Maxime Baziadoly, General Manager of Fulllife.
The post Team Vitality and Fulllife Unveil a New FPS Jersey for the Valorant Masters London and IEM Cologne Major 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Epic Games and BLAST will host the 2026 Fortnite Global Championship in Antwerp, Belgium, on September 26-27, marking the FNCS season finale at Lotto Arena.
Epic and BLAST said the event brings the Fortnite competitive circuit and BLAST to Antwerp for the first time. The announcement was made at the Fortnite Major 1 Summit in Düsseldorf, Germany.
A $2,000,000 USD prize pool will be at stake, alongside the FNCS Global Championship trophy crafted by silverware artisan Thomas Lyte.
Epic and BLAST positioned Antwerp—located in the Benelux region—as a travel-friendly destination for fans coming from Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Germany. Ticket information is available via the venue listing.
The post Epic Games and BLAST bring 2026 Fortnite Global Championship to Antwerp appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Asia4 days agoEGT Brings High-Impact Asian-Themed Portfolio to SiGMA Asia 2026
-
Africa3 days ago
Greentube partners with World Sports Betting to expand in South Africa
-
Africa3 days ago
Gaming Realms expands into three African markets via SportyBet partnership
-
Conference4 days ago
Danish regulator to speak at Gaming in the Nordics launch event
-
Argentina4 days ago
Stake continues Latin American expansion with Argentina launch
-
affiliate marketing3 days ago
CasinoCanada partners with LolaJack Casino to expand Canadian visibility
-
BETER4 days ago
BETER expands US footprint with Illinois approval
-
Ben Wood CCO at Playson3 days ago
Playson strengthens North American footprint with Caesars Entertainment partnership
