eSports
Torque Esports’ UMG teams with Activision Blizzard to create Overwatch Collegiate Series

Torque Esports Corp.’s esports tournament and broadcast operations group, UMG Media Ltd. has signed an official contract with Activision Blizzard to host an eight-week Overwatch Collegiate Series.
The series will be titled the “UMG Overwatch Collegiate Clash” with a planned start for late March 2020.
The schools taking part in the series will compete for $40,000 in total prize money – all to be given as scholarships to further esports at each of the winning schools.
Hundreds of colleges around the nation now field a competitive Overwatch team. Each week, UMG will bring in eight of those teams to compete. The eight-week series will culminate with a final winner’s round.
This is the next step in Torque and UMG’s mission to support and grow the esports space and help create a clear path to professional competition for these players currently on collegiate teams.
“Esports observers have highlighted colleges in the USA as a big opportunity for publishers and brands alike and Torque will use this huge opportunity with Overwatch to prove the value to all parties,” Torque Esports President and CEO, Darren Cox said.
“Like stick and ball sports, college competition is becoming the development league where young esports stars of the future are honing their skills and preparing to become professional gamers. It is a clear step to the “big leagues.”
“The UMG acquisition was an important step in Torques’ growth strategy. Already we are seeing this being rewarded with deals like this, and the previously announced Microsoft Gears of War tournament.
“Within the group we will be able to measure the success through our in-house data group at Stream Hatchet – once again showing our ability to deliver a full service to our partners.”
Launched in May, 2016, Overwatch is a team-based multiplayer combat game available on the PlayStation and Xbox consoles, PC and the Nintendo Switch portable platform.
UMG is the leading platform for online tournament play and esports entertainment events. The platform has generated more than 20 million views and has paid out more than US$3 million in prize money.
The Overwatch Collegiate Series will be streamed at Twitch.tv/UMGGaming.
About Torque Esports
The company focuses on three areas – esports business intelligence, esports tournament & series streaming and esports racing. Torque aims to revolutionize esports racing and the racing gaming genre via its industry-leading gaming studio Eden Games which focuses on mobile racing games and its unique motorsport IP, including World’s Fastest Gamer (created and managed by wholly-owned subsidiary IDEAS+CARS, Silverstone UK). With simulator company AiS – Torque will offer gamers everything from Free to Play mobile games to the highest end simulation experiences. Building on the leading position of Stream Hatchet, a wholly-owned subsidiary, Torque also provides robust esports data analytics and performance information reports to brands, sponsors, and industry leaders. Through its tournament organizing and streaming arm, UMG, Torque has recently added a digital tournament platform and OTT platform to its portfolio of assets in an ever-growing ecosystem.
For more information, visit www.torqueesport.com.
About UMG
UMG Media Ltd. (“UMG”) is a premier esports company in North America, offering live gaming entertainment events and online play. UMG provides online and live tournaments as well as the creation and distribution of original esports content.
For more information about UMG visit www.umggaming.com.
About Activision Blizzard Esports
Activision Blizzard Esports (ABE) is responsible for the development, operation, and commercialization of Activision Blizzard’s professional gaming properties including the Overwatch League™, the Call of Duty® League™, Call of Duty® Challengers™, Hearthstone® Masters, StarCraft® II esports, Warcraft® III: Reforged™, and the World of Warcraft® Arena World Championship and Mythic Dungeon International, among others. ABE also operates Tespa®, the leader in collegiate esports. It is ABE’s vision to be the most innovative, scalable, and valuable developer of global competitive entertainment.
About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft®, Hearthstone®, Overwatch®, Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® franchises, and the multifranchise Heroes of the Storm®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes twenty-two #1 games* and numerous Game of the Year awards. The company’s online gaming service, Battle.net®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.
*Sales and/or downloads. Based on internal company records and reports from key distributors.
SOURCE: Torque Esports Corp.
Esportes da Sorte
Esportes da Sorte celebrates Brazilian culture with Parintins and São João Sponsorships

Esportes Gaming Brasil, the owner of Onabet and Esportes da Sorte, is making its debut at the 58th Parintins Folklore Festival with an interactive project that blends cultural promotion, economic development, and social responsibility.
The brand becomes the first regulated betting operator to offer institutional support to the event, which welcomes around 120,000 visitors and generates BRL 184 million in local economic activity, according to the Amazonas State Government.
This cultural commitment comes on the back of Esportes Gaming Brasil sponsoring 31 São João festivals during June in 27 cities across the Northeast and Southeast regions. This initiative strengthens the brand’s strategy of connecting with the public through the appreciation of Brazilian cultural expressions.
Esportes da Sorte’s focus was creating memorable experiences as each event featured scenography by Pernambucan artist Perron Ramos. Another notable element was the Vila Junina (June Village), a themed area blending traditional elements with interactive experiences. Classic games such as Pescaria da Sorte (Fishing of Fortune), Barraca do Beijo (Kissing Booth), and Argola da Sorte (Ring Toss) bring nostalgia to the festivities.
For the three-day Parintins Folklore Festival starting today, the brand will be energising Parintins with a series of experiences celebrating local culture. These include a panoramic lounge with a special view of the Bumbódromo, the Truck da Sorte — a space combining karaoke and free hydration — as well as a Social Arena installed in the Garantido and Caprichoso neighborhoods, featuring artistic performances, rest areas, free water distribution, and Instagram-worthy spots. Festivalgoers will also be able to get their hands on custom giveaways throughout the festival. All elements of the visual project are inspired by Amazonian art. The graphics feature illustrations by Curumiz, a Parintins-based duo formed by Alziney Pereira and Kemerson Freitas.
Sofia Aldin, CMO of Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group behind the brand commented: “Esportes Gaming Brasil cares passionately about regional values and strengthening Brazilian popular culture. It’s more than simply showcasing our brand, we want to create value for the people who live for events like the Parintins Folklore Festival and the São João festivals. Being part of these events backs our strategy of supporting traditions that drive local economies and celebrate regional identities.”
The post Esportes da Sorte celebrates Brazilian culture with Parintins and São João Sponsorships appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BETBY
BETBY EXPANDS LATAM FOOTPRINT WITH MOBADOO ESPORTS PARTNERSHIP

BETBY, a leading sportsbook supplier, has announced a new partnership with prominent LATAM-focused esports provider Mobadoo, in a move that will see its Betby.Games portfolio fully integrated into Mobadoo’s product lineup.
This collaboration enables Mobadoo — which has an established presence and deep market understanding across Latin America — to incorporate BETBY’s proprietary and award-winning esports offering, delivering dynamic and fast-paced betting content to its growing user base. Among Betby.Games’ titles are eSoccer, eBasketball, eFighting, eCricket, eShooter, eHorse Racing, eTennis, and the Brazil-relevant eVaquejada.
As one of the most comprehensive and high-frequency esports betting solutions in the industry, Betby.Games offers access to more than 70 tournaments, over 350 betting markets, and more than 300,000 live matches each month. This collaboration will not only enhance Mobadoo’s offering but also reinforce BETBY’s position as a leading esports supplier in the LATAM region, a key pillar in the supplier’s global expansion strategy.
“Mobadoo has an excellent reputation and strong regional expertise, making them an ideal partner for us. Their commitment to innovation in esports and the rapid growth of this vertical in the region made our partnership only a matter of time,” commented Kirill Nekrasov, BETBY’s Head of Sportsbook Product. “This agreement not only expands the reach of our unique Betby.Games content, but also aligns perfectly with our global strategy of delivering flexible, high-performance esports solutions to next-generation operators. Together, we’re set to further strengthen our leading position in the LATAM region.”
José Aníbal Aguirre, Chief Marketing Officer at Mobadoo, added: “We’re thrilled to integrate Betby.Games into our offering. The depth and quality of their esports content is unmatched, and this partnership gives us a powerful new edge in catering to LATAM’s passionate esports fanbase. With BETBY’s support, we’re confident we can elevate the player experience and unlock new growth opportunities across the region.”
The post BETBY EXPANDS LATAM FOOTPRINT WITH MOBADOO ESPORTS PARTNERSHIP appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
eSports
Red Bull Home Ground Heads to New York this November

Red Bull Home Ground, the pro VALORANT invitational, is set to make its return with a blockbuster fifth edition, bringing together the world’s top teams to New York City, for one of the most exciting showcases in the esports calendar. From November 13–16, the iconic Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center will host four electrifying days of competition, as global giants and rising stars fight to claim the title of 2025 off-season champions.
This year, Red Bull Home Ground will feature a stacked lineup of elite contenders. Returning champions T1 are ready to defend their crown, joined by two-time VCT Global Event winners Fnatic and fan-favourites G2 Esports, Sentinels, and ZETA DIVISION. Joining these giants will be the two top teams who earn their place through the Play-In Stage and an additional team to be revealed – a gauntlet of global qualifiers open to all in India, USA, Spain, Turkey, Chile, Egypt, Belgium, Germany, South Africa, Netherlands, Japan, and EMEA qualifiers, giving players around the world the chance to earn a spot to go against the best-of-the-best on the main stage. The final main stage slot will be revealed at a later date.
For the first time, the Red Bull Home Ground World Final will be hosted in the United States, taking place at the legendary Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. Known for its grand Beaux-Arts architecture and storied history hosting icons like The Grateful Dead and Guns N’ Roses, the venue offers a perfect blend of classic New York legacy and modern spectacle for this high-stakes tournament. The action kicks off on November 13-14, with both days dedicated exclusively to the Play-in stage and the opening stages of the competition. For fans eager to experience the action live, tickets for the public main stage event on November 15-16 are available for purchase via Ticketmaster.
At last year’s Red Bull Home Ground in Berlin, fans were treated to an unforgettable grand final as T1 stormed to victory over Cloud9, clinching the championship title with a dominant 3-1 series. With every edition, Red Bull Home Ground has elevated the VALORANT off-season calendar, known for its fast-paced format, jaw-dropping plays, and international flair. Red Bull Home Ground continues to be a staple tournament for pro teams looking to compete against the best competition and for fans ready to witness thrilling match-ups.
The post Red Bull Home Ground Heads to New York this November appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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