Counter-strike
Team Vitality opens V.Hub fan zone for IEM Cologne Major
Team Vitality is launching an official fan zone, V.Hub, to coincide with the 2026 IEM Cologne Major. The venue will run June 18-21 at KWB im Stadtpalais, a short walk from the LANXESS Arena.
Access to V.Hub will be free for fans who sign up, with limited availability. Team Vitality said the space is intended to bring together its community, partners and Counter-Strike fans attending the event.
The fan zone will include dedicated areas hosted by Team Vitality and partners Skin.Club, ASUS ROG, EVNIA and Blacklyte. The club said activations will include hands-on experiences and opportunities to play bespoke Counter-Strike maps.
Team Vitality also plans match watch parties, a pop-up shop for official merchandise and giveaways, including an ASUS ROG x Team Vitality co-branded mousepad. During the playoff stage, the club said V.Hub will be set up for trophy photo opportunities with its Major trophies.
Food and drink will be available on site throughout the event, including vegetarian options.
The post Team Vitality opens V.Hub fan zone for IEM Cologne Major appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
HLTV will stage the HLTV Awards presented by 1xBet in Belgrade, Serbia on January 9, 2027, returning to the Sava Center. The company said more than 1,000 players, industry professionals, creators, and fans are expected to attend.
HLTV also confirmed Dust2 creator David Johnston will feature as an award announcer. HLTV linked the booking to the 25th anniversary of Dust2.
For 2026, HLTV is updating its Hall of Fame process and eligibility rules. Four players will be inducted again, with “at least two and up to three” slots reserved for players from the Counter-Strike 1.6 and early eras. HLTV also removed the former “neo rule,” allowing players to be inducted for their playing careers even if they remain active in other roles such as coaching.
HLTV is adding a Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be decided by the Hall of Fame Board. The ceremony will also move Community Awards onto the main stage show for the first time, rather than the pre-show segment.
Separately, HLTV will kick off the 2027 Awards season with an invite-only “HLTV Awards by 1xBet Launch Party x GRID” in Cologne during the Major. HLTV said industry members can apply for an invite to the ceremony via its awards page.
The post HLTV Awards returns to Belgrade on January 9, 2027, adding Lifetime Achievement honor appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Team Vitality has re-signed chess player Javokhir Sindarov to its Chess roster for 2026 and 2027, bringing the 2025 FIDE World Cup winner back to the organisation.
The club said Sindarov is coming off a win at the 2026 Candidates Tournament, positioning him for a potential world title match against reigning champion Gukesh Dommaraju.
“We are incredibly proud to welcome Javokhir back to Team Vitality. He represents the new generation of chess: bold, ambitious, and unafraid to make big moves. His trajectory speaks for itself, and we know he has everything it takes to become the next World Champion,” said Danny Engels, Chief International Officer at Team Vitality. “This signing is a natural step in our ambition to be at the forefront of chess and esports, and to bring the game to new audiences around the world.”
Team Vitality also pointed to Sindarov’s interest in gaming—specifically Counter-Strike—as a fit with the organisation’s esports positioning. His next scheduled appearance under Team Vitality is the Chess.com Open, running April 23–26.
The post Team Vitality re-signs Javokhir Sindarov for 2026–2027 chess roster appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Rivalry Corporation (TSXV: RVLY) (OTCQX: RVLCF) (FSE: 9VK), an internationally-regulated sports betting and media company, today announced the launch of its eSports same-game parlay product, allowing users to combine multiple bets within a single esports match for a higher potential payout. The new product feature, which will be known as Same Game Combos on Rivalry, is available for top League of Legends, Counter-Strike and Dota 2 eSports matches.
“Finding success among ‘Millennial’ and ‘Gen Z’ customers means being first to introduce new sports wagering experiences at the edge of technical and product innovation where this audience lives,” the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer for Rivalry Corporation, Steven Salz, said. “Same Game Combos brings one of the most popular bets on the board to an audience of deeply engaged eSports fans while extending Rivalry Corporation’s position at the vanguard of betting entertainment.”
Same Game Combos will tap into what has quickly become one of the most popular ways to bet globally and wager of choice for casual users seeking the experience of a small wager that can return a large payout. The product feature, made capable through data feeds provided by PandaScore, will lend itself to improved player acquisition and hold across Rivalry Corporation’s core eSports betting offering, which accounted for over 90% of sportsbook handle in 2022.
Same Game Combos will also feature custom branding and animations to further elevate the entertainment value on Rivalry Corporation and create a proprietary sports wagering experience geared specifically for the next generation of fans. This includes unique visuals and interactive elements tailored to ‘Millennial’ and ‘Gen Z’ entertainment preferences.
“It’s important to add depth to our products and more options for our users,” the Product Design Director for Rivalry Corporation, David King, said. “We are building for an under-30 demographic that has high expectations for the entertainment products it consumes. Delivering on that level of entertainment, while creating a meaningful user experience, adds material value to the Rivalry Corporation platform.”
Same Game Combos are available immediately to all Rivalry Corporation users globally. The company intends to continue developing the product and design over time, incorporating more depth, betting markets and new esports titles such as Valorant and more.
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