eSports

ESL and DreamHack Enter Three-Year Media Rights Deal With Omelete and Globo

Published

6 years ago

August 7, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

ESL, the world’s largest esports company, and DreamHack, the premier gaming lifestyle festival, announced a three-year media deal with Brazil’s top media outlets Globo and Omelete. In cooperation with professional Brazilian streamer Gaules, who recently joined Omelete, the partnership aims to bring Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) in Portuguese to the passionate Brazilian CS:GO community. As part of the deal, all tournaments within ESL Pro Tour for CS:GO, including the ESL Pro League, ESL One, Intel® Extreme Masters, DreamHack Masters & DreamHack Open, will be broadcast in Portuguese language via respective distribution channels of Globo and Omelete.

Beginning in Q1 of 2020 and over the course of the next three years, all ESL Pro Tour tournaments for CS:GO will be brought to the Brazilian community via linear and digital channels of Globo and Omelete. The top ESL and DreamHack CS:GO tournaments will be broadcast in Portuguese by SporTV3, Globo’s principal multi-sport channel on Brazilian linear television, whereas Omelete acquired the rights to distribute all matches online. Contracted by Omelete, Gaules will serve the audience digitally by promoting and broadcasting the competitions, including all qualifiers through live streaming via his Twitch channel as well as through Gaules TV, a show that will feature Brazilian CS:GO talent.

“We are delighted to work together in Brazil with Globo, a leading mass media company, and Omelete, a representative entertainment company. By partnering up with both companies, the Brazilian fans can now enjoy a premium viewing experience via various channels,” said Frank Uddo, Senior Vice President Global Media at ESL. “With Globo serving the linear TV audience and Omelete delivering our content to digital platforms supported by the top local streamer, the partnership allows more fans than ever in Brazil to enjoy professional esports however they choose.”

“All of us at DreamHack are pleased to bring our great content to South America through this new partnership with Globo and Omelete,” said DreamHack Co-CEO Roger Lodewick. “With their impressive reach, we will now be able to connect with even more esports enthusiasts in South America. Gaming brings communities together — and there couldn’t be a better time to bring fans the excitement of esports.”

As part of the partnership, Globo and Omelete as main media partners of ESL and DreamHack in Brazil, further acquired the rights to execute additional marketing initiatives via social media as well as the right to organize fan fests in order to provide local fans with the opportunity to watch selected tournaments remotely collectively.

“One of Brazil’s biggest entertainment companies, Omelete, which was born on the internet and now enables amazing experiences for millions of people, has now striken a partnership with one of the world’s greatest media outlets, Globo, and a world-class streamer, Gaules, in order to establish what has currently been considered one of the world’s boldest esports coverage strategies”, said Pierre Mantovani, Omelete Company’s CEO.

Globo as one of the top Brazilian media outlets covers 98.6% of the municipalities in Brazil, reaching 99.6% of the country’s population via their linear TV channels. Globo reaches 85% of the Brazilian population that has access to the internet making their sub-entities G1, Gshow and globoesporte.com leaders in market share of their respective categories. By reaching more than 100 million people daily across its linear and digital services, Globo has become truly a global player for content from and for Brazil.

“Since 2017, Globo has been investing in the world of games and electronic sports that go far beyond the media. Important esports championships worldwide are as great as any other sports event, not only when it comes to star players, teams, and fans, but also the show that’s put on, the feeling of joy, the matches, the championships. ESL and DreamHack represent the greatest avatar of it all. The partnership between Globo, Omelete, and Gaules enables us to bring the best kind of CS:GO-related content to all Brazilian fans, from the hardcore players to the casual ones, who will be able to get to know Brazilian athletes who are doing their best during these competitions”, said Leandro Valentim, Head of Games and esports at Globo.

“A partnership with ESL and DreamHack is great, since it allows us to expand the kind of content we offer to the gaming community. I’m really glad we can offer esports enthusiasts the opportunity to choose how to watch streaming sessions! Especially because we will feature a talented team of casters to make it possible. Let’s root together and have fun as fans” said Gaules.

Astana

Astana to host IESF World Esports Championship 2027

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

astana-to-host-iesf-world-esports-championship-2027

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.

BLAST

BLAST opens New York HQ as 2025 revenue tops $133m on 40%+ growth

Published

3 days ago

July 1, 2026

Wladimir P.

blast-opens-new-york-hq-as-2025-revenue-tops-$133m-on-40%+-growth

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

BLAST reports 40% revenue growth in 2025, opens New York headquarters

Published

3 days ago

July 1, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

blast-reports-40%-revenue-growth-in-2025,-opens-new-york-headquarters

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.