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.
Brazil
Esportes Gaming Brasil exec calls for ‘responsible sponsorship’ at BiS Brasília
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.
Belgium
Epic Games and BLAST bring 2026 Fortnite Global Championship to Antwerp
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.
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