eSports
VALORANT Game Changers EMEA Updates: Stage 3 Finals Venue and New Mixed Tournament Revealed!

2024 has been a great year for VALORANT Game Changers EMEA so far, with Stage 1 concluding in March, and Stage 2 in June – both of which saw G2 Gozen defeat Team Falcons Vega 3-0 in the Grand Finals! Our goal is for the best Game Changers players to find success in other parts of the VCT ecosystem, and we are starting to see some great progress, with G2 Gozen having recently competed in the Challengers DACH promotion/relegation tournament.
Stage 3 is set to begin in September, and will decide whether G2 Gozen claims all three Stages this year, or if another Game Changers EMEA team can dethrone them.
Ahead of the start of Stage 3, we wanted to share a couple of special announcements with you all.
VALORANT Game Changers EMEA: Stage 3 – Grand Finals Location, Format & Where to Watch
We’re super excited to announce that for the first time ever, we’re taking Game Changers EMEA on the road!
On Sunday, October 6, we’re hosting the Stage 3 Grand Finals at the ESA Arena in İstanbul, Türkiye. The ESA Arena will offer visiting fans an excellent viewing experience and an unmatched atmosphere, as we witness all of the action unfold and confirm all of our EMEA representatives for the VALORANT Champions Tour 2024: Game Changers Championship.
As a reminder, the top four teams from the two groups will qualify for the Playoffs, which consists of a double elimination bracket and will all be played online, aside from the Grand Final itself. The Upper Bracket contains three rounds of play to reach the Grand Final, while the Lower Bracket consists of four.
The Upper Bracket Final is a best-of-three (BO3), while the Lower Bracket Final is best-of-five (BO5). The Grand Final will also be BO5.
For those joining us from home, the first two days (September 23 and 24) of Stage 3 Playoffs will be available on twitch.tv/dive_gg. All games from September 25, including the Grand Finals (October 6) will be available to watch on twitch.tv/VALORANT_EMEA
Full ticket information will be shared at a later date – be sure to follow our socials to stay up to date.
VALORANT Game Changers EMEA: VCT OFF//SEASON Spotlight Series – Overview, Grand Finals Location & Format
Alongside this announcement, we are happy to introduce a new tournament – the VCT OFF//SEASON Spotlight Series – a mixed gender tournament that will take place online from Thursday, October 10 to Wednesday, October 16, before concluding at Paris Games Week on Thursday, October 24!
As one of the largest gaming events in Europe, Paris Games Week has been a major event for gaming fans since 2010. The Grand Final will take place on the largest stage, The Main Stage, with capacity for 2000 spectators.
This will be an invitational event, with 14 VCT and Challengers teams who have been actively investing in Game Changers asked to join the competition. Teams will be required to have at least two Game Changers players on their mixed teams, with the choice left to teams on whether to be majority men or women. Teams will also compete for a €30,000 prize pool!
Playoffs will feature a double elimination bracket. Seeding will be decided by previous results, with the top two receiving a first-round bye, whilst the remaining twelve teams compete. From here, teams will continue to compete through the Upper and Lower Bracket, with the Upper Bracket consisting of four rounds of play and the Lower Bracket consisting of six.
“We are extremely excited to bring VALORANT Game Changers on the road for the first time and to introduce a mixed gender tournament to the 2024 VALORANT Esports calendar at Paris Games Week”, said Daniel Ringland, Head of VALORANT Esports EMEA. “Our ambition with Game Changers is to create new opportunities for women in our ecosystem, and we hope these events will help us accelerate towards a future where all players are competing side by side at the highest level.”
Further information on invited teams will be shared closer to the start of the event – follow our socials for future updates!
The post VALORANT Game Changers EMEA Updates: Stage 3 Finals Venue and New Mixed Tournament Revealed! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
Global Esports Federation confirms program for Los Angeles 2026 Global Esports Games

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.
eSports
TEAM VITALITY AND HUMMEL LAUNCH ALTERNATE JERSEY AND EXCLUSIVE APPAREL COLLECTION

- 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)
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
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
The post TEAM VITALITY AND HUMMEL LAUNCH ALTERNATE JERSEY AND EXCLUSIVE APPAREL COLLECTION appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Asia
Skyesports Wraps Up Gaming Thiruvizha – Chennai Edition With 17,000+ Fans in Attendance

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.
-
eSports6 days ago
TEAM VITALITY AND HUMMEL LAUNCH ALTERNATE JERSEY AND EXCLUSIVE APPAREL COLLECTION
-
Africa7 days ago
Rise & Hustle partners with Altenar to power its new sportsbook offering
-
Eastern Europe7 days ago
Digitain Strengthens Romanian Market Presence Through KingCasino Partnership
-
EurAsia7 days ago
Groove Technologies Shines in Georgia at SmartSoft Partner Event: Culture, Connection, and Collaboration Take Centre Stage
-
Africa7 days ago
Ghana’s NLA Introduces New Sticker to Clamp Down on Illegal Lotto Operators
-
Central Europe7 days ago
CT Interactive Announces Strategic Partnership with Ecasino
-
Alex Malchenko Head of Sales at Evoplay7 days ago
Evoplay strengthens Ontario presence in partnership with Caesars Entertainment
-
Central Europe6 days ago
CT Interactive grows its certified game portfolio in the Slovak market