eSports
VERITAS Entertainment Announces March 2020 Launch of LVL, a Berlin-based Esports and Gaming Entertainment Venue
The team behind the elite facility also secured $10 million in funding to support the development of the first of a global network of esports-dedicated venues
VERITAS Entertainment (VERITAS), builders of a global network of esports entertainment venues, today announced the launch of LVL, a Berlin-based esports and gaming entertainment venue designed for community and competition. LVL Berlin will officially open its doors to the public on March 26, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. CET. Additionally, VERITAS has announced a $10 million in funding, with participation from BITKRAFT Esports Ventures and additional angel investors, to build LVL’s infrastructure, scale the team to manage operations, and expand to additional cities.
Among the largest esports spaces in Europe, LVL spans +2500m² (+26,000ft²) across its two floors and provides a centralized and physical location for pro and amateur gamers to connect, train and compete. In addition to a full-stack production studio and mind-blowing VR experiences, LVL is pushing boundaries with a noise-canceling dome that enables the venue to host professional esports matches in the closest proximity to the audience and casters without impeding the performance of the players through sound interference.
“We created LVL to fill a gap that currently exists in the landscape of physical gaming and esports venues. The esports ecosystem currently has large arenas and glorified internet cafés with a few PCs in them, but not a permanent facility where premium events can be hosted while also serving as a place to socialize with friends,” said Dorian Gorr, Co-Founder and Managing Director of VERITAS Entertainment. “It’s not only a facility for professional teams to practice, but it’s a hub for entertainment, collaboration, and connection. After months of planning and construction, we’re thrilled to finally open the doors and welcome the public.”
LVL Berlin will also be the official Berlin venue and Home of G2 Esports, one of the fastest-growing, most competitively successful and entertaining esports organizations worldwide. As the collaboration partner of LVL, G2’s professional teams and creators will practice and create content from dedicated G2 areas featuring practice and content creation rooms as well as public, community-driven locations within the venue for esports fans to interact with G2 and its stars.
“LVL is the best possible place for being the home of G2’s teams to practice, bootcamp and interact with our amazing fans. It will be the go-to place for us to spend time with the #G2ARMY and interact with our people in Berlin, the capital of esports in Europe,” said G2 Esports CEO Carlos ‘ocelote’ Rodriguez. “We are proud that we can present our world-class partnerships in this beautiful city with Veritas as we both work together to bring highly entertaining experiences to esports.”
LVL will not only be a gathering place for fans, casual players and esports pros, but will also serve as a home for content creators, live streamers, cosplayers, musicians and artists. From the professional level to the grassroots community, LVL provides the infrastructure to support the adoption of esports and gaming on a mainstream level. With the opening of the Berlin-based venue, LVL will also launch a 24/7 esports gaming channel on Twitch and Youtube that will broadcast match highlights from the venue and content created in its full-stack production studio. Focused on the latest innovative technology, LVL plans to put a twist on traditional food preparation by featuring a culinary robotic machine that serves up high-quality burgers for hungry patrons.
“At BITKRAFT we believe strongly in physical experiences tailored to a gaming native and digital-first audience,” said BITKRAFT Founder and Managing Partner, Jens Hilgers. “In particular we believe that esports participation and fandom at scale is contributing significantly to make such new physical entertainment experiences successful. While we have seen many incarnations playing to this thesis, we became truly excited about the vision and approach of the LVL team and are excited to see their vision materialize with the launch of the iconic Checkpoint Charlie Berlin location.”
Situated in the heart of Berlin at the historic Checkpoint Charlie, LVL is strategically located at one of the most frequented Berlin tourist destinations with over 25,000 daily visitors. This home for esports and gaming fans will be accessible year-round, contributing to the growth of the Berlin esports ecosystem. VERITAS expects at least 250,000 visitors per year to visit LVL Berlin and will host around 130 live events annually with plans to expand to other esports-hubs around the world.
IESF signs host agreement with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Qazaq Cybersport Federation in Astana.
Astana has been confirmed as the host city for the IESF World Esports Championship 2027 (WEC27), following a host agreement signing ceremony involving the International Esports Federation (IESF), the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Qazaq Cybersport Federation.
IESF said the event is expected to draw participation across more than 150 IESF Member Federations through the qualifiers, with national teams competing via IESF-recognized national member structures.
“WEC27 will be more than a championship. It will be a global celebration of nations, athletes, and the future of esports,” said Vlad Marinescu, President of IESF. “For every player, there is no greater honor than competing under their national flag and officially representing their nation on the world stage. That is what makes the World Esports Championship so powerful and so unique. In 2027, Astana will welcome the world and proudly stand as the Esports Capital in the World of Esports, uniting our Member Federations, athletes, fans, and communities. Kazakhstan has shown remarkable vision, ambition, and commitment, and we are confident that WEC27 will deliver an unforgettable championship and a lasting legacy for the global esports family.”
Yerbol Myrzabosynov, Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, said: “We are honored that the International Esports Federation has entrusted Kazakhstan with hosting the World Esports Championship 2027. This reflects the confidence in our country’s ability to deliver an event of the highest international standard. Hosting WEC27 reinforces our commitment to advancing esports and creating new opportunities for young people through sport, technology, education, and international cooperation. We look forward to welcoming the World of Esports to Astana and showcasing Kazakhstan as a destination capable of delivering world-class international events.”
Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Qazaq Cybersport Federation, added: “We sincerely thank the International Esports Federation for the trust and confidence placed in Kazakhstan to host the World Esports Championship 2027. This is a historic milestone for our esports community and a testament to the progress we have achieved together with our partners. Alongside IESF, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and our national stakeholders, we are committed to delivering an outstanding championship for athletes, fans, and the World of Esports. WEC27 will inspire future generations, accelerate the growth of esports in Kazakhstan, and strengthen our country’s position as a leading esports and digital innovation hub.”
IESF said more details, including schedule, qualification pathway, venues, official titles, ticketing, and the event program, will be announced in the coming months via its official channels.
The post Astana to host IESF World Esports Championship 2027 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Esports and live events operator says it stayed profitable in 2025 and plans 15 arena events across 13 cities in 2026.
BLAST has opened a New York City headquarters in Brooklyn as the company reported record growth and profitability in 2025, including more than $133 million in revenue and over 40% year-over-year growth.
The new U.S. headquarters is located at 45 Main Street in Brooklyn within a shared 55,000-square-foot office space. BLAST said the hub will support partnerships, live events and commercial growth across North America as it expands its U.S. operations.
The North American push is being led by Chief Business Officer Leo Matlock, who has relocated to New York, alongside Steve Rossi, who joined earlier this year as SVP of Brand Partnerships. BLAST said its U.S. team has grown to eight full-time employees.
BLAST said it has staged seven tier-one esports events in North America over the past 16 months, across Austin, Fort Worth, Boston, Raleigh, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. The company cited “more than $102 million” in economic impact from the 2025 BLAST.tv Austin Major alone, including more than $9 million in hotel expenditures. It also recently announced the Rocket League World Championship will return to Fort Worth in September 2026.
In 2025, BLAST said its broadcasts delivered more than 2 billion live views globally and 300 million hours watched, spanning live events in 22 cities worldwide. The company also said it distributes content via 29 broadcast partners, including SuperSport, France TV and RTBF, reaching audiences in more than 150 territories and 30+ languages.
“Competitive entertainment has become one of the fastest-growing sectors in global media because it combines community, technology and live experiences in entirely new ways,” said Robbie Douek, CEO of BLAST. “The next generation of fans want entertainment that feels participatory, social and global by default. That shift is creating enormous opportunities for brands, publishers, creators and host cities, and we believe BLAST is uniquely positioned to help lead that evolution after a landmark year in 2025.” BLAST said it plans to host 15 arena events across 13 cities and three continents in 2026.
The post BLAST opens New York HQ as 2025 revenue tops $133m on 40%+ growth appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BLAST, the Denmark-founded competitive entertainment and esports events company, reported record growth and continued profitability in 2025 and said it has opened a New York headquarters as it expands across North America.
The company said it delivered more than 40% year-over-year growth and generated more than $133 million in revenue in 2025, while remaining profitable and continuing to invest in global expansion. BLAST said its U.S. headquarters at 45 Main Street in Brooklyn sits within a shared 55,000-square-foot office space and will serve as its central base for partnerships, live events and commercial growth across North America.
The expansion is being led by Chief Business Officer Leo Matlock, who has relocated to New York, and Steve Rossi, who joined earlier this year as SVP of Brand Partnerships. BLAST said its U.S. team has grown to eight full-time employees.
BLAST pointed to recent North American activity, saying it has hosted seven tier-one esports events across Austin, Fort Worth, Boston, Raleigh, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City over the past 16 months. The company said these events have generated economic impact for host destinations, including more than $102 million from the 2025 BLAST.tv Austin Major alone, including more than $9 million in hotel expenditures. BLAST also said the Rocket League World Championship will return to Fort Worth in September 2026.
On content reach, BLAST said its 2025 broadcasts delivered more than 2 billion live views globally and 300 million hours watched across live events in 22 cities, distributed through 29 broadcast partners across online platforms and linear broadcasters. “We’re seeing tremendous momentum globally and all across North America, not just in esports fandom, but in how brands, game publishers, cities and entertainment companies are thinking about gaming culture, engaging competitions and digital-first audiences,” said Leo Matlock, Chief Business Officer at BLAST. The company said it plans to host 15 arena events across 13 cities and three continents in 2026.
The post BLAST reports 40% revenue growth in 2025, opens New York headquarters appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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