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 LVLâs infrastructure, scale the team to manage operations, and expand to additional cities.
Among the largest esports spaces in Europe, LVL spans +2500mÂČ (+26,000ftÂČ) 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.
âWe 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 cafĂ©s 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,â said Dorian Gorr, Co-Founder and Managing Director of VERITAS Entertainment. âItâs not only a facility for professional teams to practice, but itâs 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.â
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, G2âs 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.
âLVL is the best possible place for being the home of G2âs 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,â said G2 Esports CEO Carlos âoceloteâ Rodriguez. âWe 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.â
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.
âAt BITKRAFT we believe strongly in physical experiences tailored to a gaming native and digital-first audience,â said BITKRAFT Founder and Managing Partner, Jens Hilgers. âIn 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.â
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.
Aquisitions/Mergers
The Chiliz Group acquires OG Esports, reuniting with original co-founders to launch new era

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Chiliz Group acquires 51% of OG Esports, investing to grow the team, expand operations, and strengthen fan and player engagement.
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Xavier Oswald, a former co-founder and shareholder of OG, becomes CEO, while OG co-founders Johan ân0tailâ Sundstein and SĂ©bastien âCebâ Debs launch a new strategic project consolidating the teamâs competitive foundation.
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Socios.com becomes the exclusive platform for $OG Fan Tokens, $OG will act as the showcase for blockchain-based utility.
The Chiliz Group, the worldâs leading blockchain provider for the sports and entertainment industry and operator of Socios.com, today announced it has acquired a 51% controlling stake in OG Esports, one of the most iconic and innovative names in global esports.
Founded in 2015 by legendary Dota 2 players Johan ân0tailâ Sundstein and SĂ©bastien âCebâ Debs, OG is the first team in history to win back-to-back titles at The International. Since then, OG has expanded into Counter-Strike, Honor of Kings and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, building one of the most successful and culturally significant organisations in esports.
OG has a track record of delivering a fan-driven culture through innovation and launched the $OG Fan Token in 2020. The $OG Fan Token recently became the first esports Fan Token to surpass a $100 million market capitalization, driven by surging global demand for digital fan assets. Having delivered exclusive voting rights, VIP experiences, merchandise, and direct access to the team for fans worldwide, $OG represents a thriving $100m+ digital fan economy.
As part of the acquisition, Xavier Oswald will take on the role of CEO of OG, guiding the organisation into its next chapter, while co-founders Johan ân0tailâ Sundstein and SĂ©bastien âCebâ Debs will lead a new strategic project consolidating the teamâs competitive foundation, driving innovation at the intersection of esports and Web3.
At the same time, Socios.com will become the exclusive wallet and engagement platform for $OG Fan Tokens, establishing $OG as the flagship example of the new fan economy. The token will now showcase how fan assets can evolve â serving as the blockchain layer for tickets, merchandise, in-stadium perks, and digital content, while also integrating real-world assets and club revenues through mechanisms like buybacks to deliver deeper influence and tangible value to supporters.
Through The Chiliz Groupâs global network of more than 80 leading sports properties, OG will now be able to expand into new countries and markets, building a larger international footprint and new commercial opportunities. Backed by the financial strength of a global group, OG will become more resilient and sustainable, ensuring long-term stability while focusing on what matters most: players, fans, and innovation.
More details about the acquisition will be released in the coming weeks.
âOG has always been about community and innovation, and since 2020 it has demonstrated that Fan Tokens can create genuine economic value and meaningful engagement,â said Alex Dreyfus, CEO and Founder of Chiliz. âWith a $100 million fan token economy already established, OG represents the perfect case study for whatâs truly possible when we place Fan Tokens at the centre of the fan economy. This acquisition allows us to showcase the next evolution â Fan Tokens 2.0.â
âThis marks the start of a bold new era for OG,â said Xavier Oswald, incoming CEO of OG. âWith Chiliz as our majority partner, we can scale our teams, grow our global community, and unlock a new dimension of engagement through the $OG Fan Token. Weâve always believed that fans should be at the centre of everything we do, and now we have the tools and the backing to make that vision a reality.â
âWith Chiliz, we share a common vision based on strong values: passion, transparency, and the power of communities.â said Johan âN0tailâ Sundstein, co-founder and historic figure of OG Esports. âFrom winning back-to-back Internationals to competing against OpenAI Five in a world-first showcase of human-AI collaboration, OG has always been about pushing boundaries. This alliance will allow us to stay true to our identity while continuing to grow.â
âThis agreement marks the beginning of a new competitive cycle,â added SĂ©bastien âCebâ Debs, two-time world champion with OG. âWe want to once again become a major force on the international stage and inspire a new generation of players and fans. With the support of Chiliz, we now have the means to build an ambitious and sustainable project.â
The post The Chiliz Group acquires OG Esports, reuniting with original co-founders to launch new era appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
Global Esports Federation Launches its Innovation & Research Centre in Athens

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The Global Esports Federation has launched its Innovation & Research Centre (IRC) in Athens, Greece, in collaboration with Socialinnov, a non-profit organisation dedicated to digital empowerment and social entrepreneurship.
The GEF Innovation & Research Centres are envisioned as collaborative spaces where technology, creativity and innovation converge to unlock human potential in the digital era. They will anchor forward-looking programmes that connect esports with education, wellness and opportunities in adjacent industries.
The Athens IRC anchors this global network, strengthening local ecosystems, enabling cooperation across regions and expanding opportunities in esports, gaming, technology and entertainment.
Thanos Karagrounas, GEF Chief Impact Officer, said: âThe launch of our Innovation & Research Center in Athens is a milestone in the GEFâs journey to shape an inclusive and impactful future for esports. By combining Socialinnovâs deep expertise in digital empowerment with the GEFâs international network, we will unlock new opportunities for innovation, education, and investment â with people at the center of everything we do.â
âWe are proud to partner with the Global Esports Federation to bring the GEF Innovation & Research Center to Athens. This collaboration reflects our mission to empower individuals and communities with the skills and tools needed to thrive in the digital age. Together, we will cultivate new pathways for youth, educators, and entrepreneurs to engage with technology, esports, and innovation on a global scale,â said Stella Psarrou, Director, Socialinnov.
Leveraging Greeceâs growing digital ecosystem and Socialinnovâs expertise in education, youth empowerment and SME support, the Athens IRC will serve as a platform to develop strategies, programmes and investment opportunities focused on responsible gaming, holistic wellness and sustainable career pathways in esports and beyond.
The post Global Esports Federation Launches its Innovation & Research Centre in Athens appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
EEF Strengthens Ties with Paralympic Leaders

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The European Esports Federation (EEF) has strengthened its ties with the Paralympic leaders. On September 2, EEF Secretary General Ćukasz Klimczyk and Board Member Karol Cagan, held a meeting with Mr. Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and Mr. Tomas Varga, Executive Committee member at the European Paralympic Committee (EPC). The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Slovak Olympic Committee, following official celebration of 30th anniversary of the Slovak Paralympic Committee.
Discussions focused on exploring opportunities for closer cooperation between EEF, IPC and EPC, particularly in the areas of competition, prevention and educational initiatives. EEF remains committed to strengthening partnerships that support the values of inclusion, fair play and the development of parasport across Europe.
Importantly, esports offers unique opportunities for athletes with disabilities by removing many of the physical barriers present in traditional sports. With accessible technologies and adaptive solutions, esports can provide a level playing field where performance depends primarily on skill, strategy and teamwork.
The post EEF Strengthens Ties with Paralympic Leaders appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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