eSports
RuHub studio will provide RU broadcasts of FLASHPOINT CS:GO league

RuHub casting and analytics studio has obtained exclusive broadcasting rights to FLASHPOINT esports league broadcasts in Russian. FLASHPOINT Season 1 group stage matches will be held from March 13 to April 6, the playoffs will be held from April 9 to 14, and the final games of the tournament will be held on April 18 and 19. The first live stream is scheduled for 13th March at 20:00 Moscow time on RuHubâs channel: https://www.twitch.tv/csruhub.
12 teams will battle for $1 000 000; among them are the leagueâs founder-teams such as Cloud9, MIBR, Team Envy, MAD Lions, Team Dignitas, Gen. G, c0ntact Gaming, as well as the winners of closed qualifiers BIG and Orgless. The leagueâs organizers plan to sell three additional slots for $2 000 000 each. The leagueâs matches will take place in FACEIT Los Angeles studio.
FLASHPOINT is a unique US-based CS:GO league organized and sponsored by rival esports organizations. The league aims to ensure stable growth of CS:GO ecosystem by challenging the existing monopoly of the major tournament operators as well as attracting long-term partnerships to the teams.
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RuHub is a key esports media content producer and the largest Russian-based esports studio in the world. RuHub studio is a member of ESforce holding.
ESforce Holding is one of the biggest esports organizations in the world and the leader of the Russian esports. The holding encapsulates all esports business sectors: from organizing international tournaments and creating professional content to publishing and advertising.
ESforce holdingâs actives include:
Virtus.pro, the most renowned and popular esports club of Russia;
RuHub Studio, leading Russian-speaking esports broadcasting studio;
Cybersport.ru, main esports website of CIS;
EPICENTER, the largest esports tournament series in CIS;
Yota Arena, esports-entertainment complex.
ESforceâs resources cover more than 90% of Russiaâs and CISâ esports viewers as well as a significant portion of the international audience. A creative agency – a member of the holding – ensures the synergy of the holding’s actives with the clients and partners in mind.
ESforce Holding was founded in 2015. In 2018, the holding became a member of a leading Internet and IT-company of Russia – Mail.Ru Group.
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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