eSports
STARK Esports takes over Swiss tech provider skilled AG and reorganizes company structure
The Esports agency STARK Esports is strategically realigning itself with the separation of the Player Management division and the acquisition of the Swiss company skilled, that focuses on innovative technology solutions.
STARK Esports is strategically realigning in two respects. Since its foundation in 2015, STARK has been responsible for a number of significant milestones and successes in player management, particularly in FIFA Esports. This business division, which has so far been a key element of the company’s external image, will be separated from the existing structures and be bundled under the newly created “RABONA” brand.
From March 2020 onwards, all player management activities will be taken over and continued by the newly founded RABONA GmbH under the representation of its managing director Marc Goroll (38), a long-standing insider and expert of the German FIFA Esports scene. RABONA’s services include the professional support and further development of the talents as well as Esports coaching, bookings and campaign management. In particular, the increased marketing of players and influencers will be a central element of RABONA’s activities
Meanwhile, STARK Esports is pushing ahead its territorial expansion with the takeover of Swiss-based skilled AG. The existing location of skilled in Biberist will be extended by an additional office in Zurich. Skilled will operate under the name STARK Esports Switzerland AG – the product and service portfolio as well as all employees of skilled will be fully taken over and integrated. With this acquisition, STARK Esports is strengthening its competencies in the technology segment and expanding its portfolio with innovative and customer-oriented software and digital solutions for Esports and Gaming. The first products and projects are already in joint development with customers and will be announced soon.
Martin Wyss, Managing Director of STARK Esports GmbH, is looking forward to the transformation with excitement: „Setting up our company in the best possible way for the future is a process that affects many aspects. In our daily work we have become much more than what is visible to the outside. With the restructuring and expansion, the next steps based on our strategy have been taken. Now it is time to let this echo in the market, whether it is in cooperation with brands, publishers or rights holders. With our expertise and power in the fields of consulting, technology, production and creative solutions, we are very well positioned for further expansion and future challenges.“
Marc Goroll, in the past e.g. Marketing & Communications Manager GSA at Electronic Arts, is looking forward to the new challenge as Managing Director of RABONA: “Esports and gaming as well as the closely related talent and influencer scene have developed rapidly in recent years. Therefore we are currently facing the task of further professionalizing the industry, creating the best possible frameworks and of course continuing to set benchmarks. I am looking forward to this challenge as much as to the further development of our talent and our portfolio.”
Michael Bieri, new Managing Director STARK Esports Switzerland AG, comments: “It makes us proud to be part of the STARK Esports family and part of the company’s growth from now on. Our team in Switzerland consists of Esports enthusiasts from the first hour with a lot of community experience and a good sense of what the target groups are really interested in – from Counter-Strike, League of Legends to FIFA. What drives us is the ambition to develop better digital solutions to help the Esports ecosystem grow as a whole. In any case, we see room for improvement in the market.”
AutoFull
AutoFull Powers IEM Cologne Major 2026 with World-First Massage Gaming Chairs Featuring Cooling & Heating Seat
IEM Cologne Major 2026 concluded on June 21, with Team FALCONS claiming the championship after intense competition. As the Official Gaming Chair Partner of ESL Pro Tour 2026–27, AutoFull provided full-event seating support, equipping pro players with its latest flagship, the world’s first massage gaming chairs with cooling and heating seats: the M6 Ultra+ 2.0 Shiatsu Massage Gaming Chair and the M6 Ultra 2.0 Ergonomic Gaming Chair.
AutoFull officially signed gaming chair partner with ESL Pro Tour in April 2026, covering major events across the 2026–2027 season including Intel Extreme Masters, ESL Pro League and ESL Challenger League. Prior to Cologne, AutoFull also supported IEM Rio and IEM Atlanta, establishing a strong presence across the global competitive circuit.
“We are truly honored to support the ESL Pro Tour 2026–2027 season as the Official Gaming Chair Partner. Elite esports athletes require sustained focus and endurance during marathon matches. Through our professional seating technology, we aim to help these world-class competitors perform at their absolute best,” said Anna Ding, the Founder of AutoFull.
“We’re also incredibly proud to celebrate our brand ambassador, NiKo, on his recent Major championship victory. Watching him achieve this milestone is a testament to the dedication, resilience, and pursuit of excellence that define top-tier esports competition.”
Two AutoFull ergonomic gaming chair models, the M6 Ultra+ 2.0 Shiatsu and the M6 Ultra 2.0, integrate professional ergonomic design with tailored features for high-performance users.
The AutoFull M6 Ultra+ 2.0 combines a professional-grade 3D Shiatsu back and leg massage system, a climate-controlled cushion with dual-fan ventilation and graphene heating, adaptive dynamic lumbar tracking, 720° mechanical armrests and a 160° recline with an extendable footrest.
The AutoFull M6 Ultra 2.0 features an integrated ventilation, heating and massage system as well, 6-way adaptive lumbar tracking that follows the natural curve of the spine, a 3D ErgoCloud Neck Pillow with ultra soft cloud-like neck support, 720° multi-directional armrests and a 90°–160° recline for total comfort.
The post AutoFull Powers IEM Cologne Major 2026 with World-First Massage Gaming Chairs Featuring Cooling & Heating Seat appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
amd
S8UL partners with AMD ahead of Esports World Cup 2026 campaign
AMD Ryzen and Radeon hardware will be used across S8UL’s esports, streaming and creator workflows as the Indian org ramps up its EWC push.
S8UL has signed a strategic partnership with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) ahead of its Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 campaign, as the Indian esports and gaming content organization targets further international expansion.
Under the agreement, AMD will equip S8UL’s players and creators with AMD Ryzen
AI 400 Series processor-based PCs, AMD Ryzen
9000 Series processors, and AMD Radeon
RX 9000 Series graphics cards for gaming, streaming, content creation and general productivity.
The deal lands as S8UL prepares for EWC 2026 after being selected for the Esports World Cup Foundation’s Club Partner Program for a second consecutive year. The organization said it has already secured qualification spots in Apex Legends, Chess, Fortnite, Honor of Kings, and Trackmania, while continuing to pursue additional slots in other titles. The partnership also follows S8UL onboarding Campa Energy as the Title Sponsor for its EWC 2026 campaign.
“S8UL has always focused on both competitive success and content creation. As we prepare for the Esports World Cup, AMD’s technology will support our players and creators across competition, streaming and content production. We’re excited to work together as we continue to grow our presence globally,” said Animesh ‘Thug’ Agarwal, Co-Founder and CEO, S8UL.
“India’s gaming ecosystem is expanding beyond competition, with creators playing an increasingly important role in how communities connect and grow,” said Vinay Sinha, Managing Director, Sales, AMD India. “Organizations like S8UL are helping shape that evolution, and we’re excited to support their players and creators with AMD technology as they continue to engage gaming and creators’ communities in India and around the world.”
EWC 2026 is scheduled for July 6 to August 23, with the Esports World Cup organisers stating it will feature more than 2,000 players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries competing for a $75 million prize pool.
The post S8UL partners with AMD ahead of Esports World Cup 2026 campaign appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
eSports
Esports Awards adds player-voted EWC Players’ Choice Award, extends Esports Foundation deal
The Esports Awards and the Esports Foundation (EF) on June 18, 2026, announced a three-year extension of their partnership through 2028 and introduced a new player-voted honor, the EWC Players’ Choice Award. The announcement was made in London, with voting tied to Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 in Paris.
The EWC Players’ Choice Award will be decided exclusively by professional esports players. According to the announcement, competitors attending EWC 2026 will vote in person, while a secure digital voting platform hosted by the Esports Awards will allow participation from additional eligible players and clubs.
Eligibility requires players to have competed in at least one qualifying S, A or B-Tier tournament during the official competitive season. Players will not be able to vote for themselves or teammates, with the Esports Awards overseeing the process.
“The talent and innovation of our sector should be getting the exposure it deserves.,” said Michael Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards. “The Esports Foundation has done an incredible job in generating mainstream attention, and industry exposure outside of the standard circuit. Our partnership has enabled us to expand our operations and footprint and it’s through our continued collaboration that I hope we can bring the Esports Awards to the global community, and provide the industry with better visibility all year round.”
The Esports Awards also confirmed its 2026 ceremony will take place in the United States, starting what it described as a rotating host city model featuring “previously unvisited destinations.” The event previously staged its 2024 awards ceremony and the 2025 Decade Awards in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as part of the Esports World Cup program.
EWC 2026 is scheduled for Paris from July 06 through August 23, 2026, with more than 2,000 players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries set to compete in 25 tournaments across 24 games. Voting for the EWC Players’ Choice Award will run from July 1 through August 18, 2026, with the winner to be revealed during the Esports Awards ceremony later this year. The Esports Awards said additional details about its 2026 event will be announced in the coming weeks.
The post Esports Awards adds player-voted EWC Players’ Choice Award, extends Esports Foundation deal appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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