eSports
GAMING ELITE CONVERGE FOR ESPORTS AWARDS RIYADH 2024, ATTENDEES INCLUDE PATRICE EVRA, CASPAR LEE, AND MAGNUS CARLSEN

The Esports Awards, the most prestigious night in the esports calendar, concluded its Riyadh ceremony with a spectacular ceremony at the Four Seasons Kingdom Centre, celebrating the very best in esports. The prestigious event brought together the industry’s elite for an unforgettable evening of recognition as they celebrated the best of the best in esports across fifteen competitive categories.
Among the evening’s top honorees were Riot Games who took home the awards for Esports Publisher of the Year, Esports Game of the Year for VALORANT, Content of the Year for GODS ft. NewJeans (뉴진스) and Esports Breakthrough Game of the Year for Teamfight Tactics. Dota 2 professional Stanislav “Malr1ne” Potorak was celebrated as Esports Breakthrough Player of the Year, while Red Bull claimed Esports Commercial Partner of the Year.
Hosted by the legendary President for OpTic Texas Hector “Hecz” Rodriguez, esports caster Chris Puckett, and pro Call of Duty player for OpTic Texas and content creator Seth “Scump” Abner, the Esports Awards Riyadh ceremony was an evening to remember, filled with captivating moments. The red carpet was graced by notable figures such as former Manchester United Captain Patrice Evra, Maya Rogers, CEO of Tetris, as well as YouTuber and investor Casper Lee, adding extra glamour to the night.
The complete list of the Esports Awards Riyadh ceremony winners are:
Entertainment
- Esports Game of the Year – VALORANT
- Esports Mobile Game of the Year presented by HONOR – Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- Esports Personality of the Year presented by Qiddiya – Seth “Scump” Abner
- Esports Content Group of the Year – S8UL Esports
- Streamer of the Year – Samy “Rivers” Rivera
Industry
- Esports Commercial Partner of the Year – Red Bull
- Esports Content & Coverage Platform of the Year – Liquipedia
- Esports Publisher of the Year – Riot Games
- Esports Breakthrough Game of the Year – Teamfight Tactics
- Esports Community Leader of the Year – Marc Robert “Caedrel” Lamont
- Lifetime Achievement in Esports – Jens Hilgers
Creative
- Esports Content of the Year – GODS ft. NewJeans (뉴진스) (Official Music Video) | Worlds 2023 Anthem – League of Legends
- Esports Creative Team of the Year – Team Liquid
Pro
- Esports Breakthrough Player of the Year – Stanislav “Malr1ne” Potorak
On-Air
- Esports Analyst of the Year – Jacob “Pimp” Winneche
Alongside the fifteen main awards, the Esports Awards Riyadh ceremony has introduced the “Ones To Watch” awardees, honouring new and upcoming talent in the industry.
Ones To Watch
- Content and Creative – Z1MT Creative
- Emerging Agency – Ulti Agency
- Emerging Team – Gaimin Gladiators
- Fan Engagement – S8UL Esports
- Content Creation – Full Squad Gaming
- Emerging Region – Philippines
- Regional Ambassador – Bruno “Nobru” Goes, Brazil
The Esports Awards Lifetime Achievement Awards was presented by His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud to industry veteran, Jens Hilgers. Hilgers has dedicated his entire professional life to the growth of the industry. Since entering the industry in 1997, Hilgers has gone on to Found some of the most well-known organisations in the industry including ESL, G2 Esports, and Bayes Esports. Hilgers’ visionary leadership and substantial contributions have had a direct impact on the evolution of the esports industry over the past 27 years, making him a truly deserving recipient of this prestigious honour.
The Esports Awards Riyadh ceremony took place at the Four Seasons Kingdom Centre, joining the New Global Sport Conference’s agenda. Taking place a day before the Esports World Cup closing ceremony, the Esports Awards Riyadh saw alive performance from musical creators Rob Landes and Marcus Veltri, well known for wowing fans online playing song requests live on piano and violin.
As the Esports Awards Riyadh comes to a close, the Esports Awards has once again set a new standard for celebrating excellence in gaming. It is our privilege to provide a platform that elevates the esports industry and beyond, and we are deeply honoured to recognise and reward the outstanding contributions made by talented individuals in this ever-growing industry,” commented Mike Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards. “We are proud to have expanded our event circuit across the globe with our first ever Middle Eastern ceremony. It has been fantastic to host the ceremony during the historic first-ever Esports World Cup. To the entire esports community, we are grateful for your passion, dedication, and support. A massive congratulations to all of those awarded tonight, and I can’t wait to see you at the next ceremony!”
The Esports Awards 2024 Riyadh ceremony is brought to you in partnership with Oakley, Qiddiya, HONOR, and the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF).
The post GAMING ELITE CONVERGE FOR ESPORTS AWARDS RIYADH 2024, ATTENDEES INCLUDE PATRICE EVRA, CASPAR LEE, AND MAGNUS CARLSEN 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.
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