eSports
F1 Esports Pro Series Presented by Aramco Returns for Biggest Season Yet
TIMING DETAILS, WHERE TO WATCH INFO, AND DRIVER QUOTES FOR F1 ESPORTS PRO SERIES PRESENTED BY ARAMCO
Whilst the F1 2020 season is well underway, attention turns to the virtual world as the F1 Esports Pro Series presented by Aramco returns for the fourth year, in what is set to be the biggest and best season yet, as teams battle it out for a huge $750,000 prize pot, in12 races across four events. For full information about the Pro Series visit: https://www.f1esports.com/
The first round of races kicks off on Wednesday afternoon with a double-header at the Bahrain International Circuit, and the brand-new Hanoi Street Circuit in Vietnam as F1 visits Vietnam for the very first time. Thursday’s action will see drivers go wheel to wheel on the Shanghai International Circuit, as they look to finish the opening round of the season with a flourish.
The live shows will be streamed online via F1’s official channels on Facebook, YouTube, Twitch and Huya, as well as broadcast on television by international partners such as ESPN (US), Sky (UK) and Ziggo (Netherlands), whilst Qualifying show content will be streamed exclusively on Twitch and Huya (China). Please see the table below for the full breakdown of the platform splits so you don’t miss a moment of the action:
| Day | Session | Time (BST) | Coverage |
| Wednesday 14 October | Qualifying Show 1 (featuring Quali. 1 highlights and Quali. 2 live) |
15:30 – 16:45 | Twitch / Huya |
| Evening Show 1 (featuring Quali. 1 and Quali. 2 highlights, Race 1 re-run and Race 2 live) |
19:30 – 21:00 | TV & Online | |
| Thursday 15 October | Qualifying Show 2 (featuring Qualifying 3 live) |
15:30 – 16:45 | Twitch / Huya |
| Evening Show 2 (featuring Quali/Race 1 and Quali/Race 2 highlights, Quali. 3 highlights and Race 3 live) |
19:30 – 21:00 | TV & Online |
Ahead of the Pro Series, we caught up with three of the competition’s stars to get their thoughts about the upcoming season. Please feel free to use these comments in editorial around the build-up to first event.
David Tonizza, FDA Hublot Esports Team
“One of my biggest rivals this year is Jarno [Opmeer] because last year he was really fast and from the test races we had this season we have seen that he is extremely fast and alongside his teammate Daniel, the strongest line-up in my opinion is Alfa Romeo. So one driver and one team I’d say Jarno and Alfa Romeo.”
“I like the new handling and the new ERS mode. Last year we were handling the ERS corner by corner so it was really tough but this year with overtake mode you can just focus on your driving and go faster. The game itself is easier and so gaps will be reduced so we will see an insane level of competition this year.”
Brendon Leigh, Mercedes AMG Petronas Esports Team
“F1 esports has grown massively since 2017 in the Gfinity Arena for the semi-finals and even in Abu Dhabi for the Final. Numbers are bigger, but also the production from Gfinity themselves, the sporting side from Formula 1 and also the hosting from Codemasters have improved massively. Going forward I can only see it getting bigger and bigger and bigger and being a prominent esports series for the near future.”
“I’m massively confident about being able to replicate results from previous seasons. But the past is the past and the future is now. I’m looking forward to being the best version of me that the public has ever seen.”
James Baldwin, McLaren Shadow
“McLaren Shadow have given me a great opportunity and trusted me to represent them in the series. I feel that me and my teammates have done a really good job in prep for the first round, I feel that we’re surprisingly quick. I would say that we’re not the favourites if you asked everyone on social media which is good as we’re under the radar. I think we will turn a few heads which is really exciting.”
“The team to beat has got to be Alfa Romeo. Statistically they’ve got the best team because Dani Bereznay, Jarno Opmeer finished third and fourth last year. Having those two in the same team sounds like a strong combination.”
Powered by WPeMatico
eSports
NODWIN Gaming’s VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 Set for Broadcast Kickoff; Registrations Close March 4
With registrations entering their final phase, NODWIN Gaming, in partnership with Riot Games, is set to kick off the broadcast phase of VALORANT Challengers South Asia (VCSA) 2026, marking the start of another high-stakes competitive season in the region.
The official VCSA 2026 broadcast will stream live on the NODWIN Gaming and Valorant Esports South Asia YouTube channels, bringing fans across South Asia closer to the region’s top VALORANT talent as teams begin their Split 1 campaigns.
Registrations for Split 1 remain open until March 4, 2026, inviting eligible teams across South Asia to compete in the region’s premier VALORANT circuit—the official pathway for teams aiming to reach the VCT Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).
Register here: https://bit.ly/VCSA2026
Season Overview
The 2026 season introduces a refined multi-stage competitive structure, featuring Open Qualifiers, two Splits, Promotion & Relegation, and a culminating Grand Final to crown the regional champions.
Key Dates – Split 1
-
Registration Window: Till March 4, 2026
-
Open Qualifiers: March 7 – March 11, 2026
-
Split 1 Broadcast Begins: March 16, 2026
-
Split 1 Playoffs: April 8 – 9, 2026
Eligibility Requirements
-
Minimum Rank: Immortal 1 and above (V25 Act 6)
-
Regions: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan & Maldives
-
Premier Team Seeding: Based on V25 Acts 4, 5 & 6
Tournament Structure Overview
Open Qualifiers & Playoffs
The competition begins with an open circuit designed to spotlight emerging talent across South Asia.
Open Qualifiers
-
Single Elimination
-
Best-of-Three (Bo3)
-
Top 10 teams advance to OQ Playoffs
OQ Playoffs
-
Double Elimination
-
Bo3
-
Top 5 teams qualify for Split 1
The top three teams from VCSA 2025 receive direct invitations to Split 1.
Split 1
Team Composition
-
5 teams from OQ Playoffs
-
3 direct invite teams
-
Total: 8 teams
Format
-
Single Round Robin
-
Bo3
-
28 matches across 14 match days
Advancement
-
Top 6 teams advance to Split 2
-
Bottom 2 teams move to Promotion & Relegation
Split 2 & Grand Finals
Split 2 will feature eight teams competing in a single round robin format. The top four will advance to the Playoff Stage, where a single-elimination bracket (Bo3, Bo5 Grand Final) will determine the VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 champions.
Game Changers South Asia 2026
Running alongside the main circuit, Game Changers South Asia 2026 will feature two competitive splits with open qualifiers, reinforcing inclusive growth within the region’s VALORANT ecosystem. The winner of Split 2 will advance to the Game Changers Pacific Stage.
Building on a Landmark 2025 Season
VCSA 2026 follows a record-breaking 2025 edition, where Velocity Gaming secured the VCT Ascension Pacific slot after a dominant 3–1 Grand Final victory over S8UL at the Ascension Qualifiers LAN.
The 2025 season recorded over 12 million views and peaked at 50,000+ concurrent viewers, cementing VCSA’s position as one of South Asia’s most-watched VALORANT tournaments.
With viewership at an all-time high and competitive standards rising, the 2026 season promises even greater intensity.
From the Organizers
Gautam Virk, Co-Founder & CEO, NODWIN Gaming, said:
“As we head into the broadcast phase of VCSA 2026, the excitement across the ecosystem is palpable. This circuit represents the pinnacle of competitive VALORANT in South Asia, and our structured pathway ensures that every team from open qualifiers to grand finalists earns their position through performance. After the incredible momentum of last season, we are confident that 2026 will further elevate the region’s competitive standard.”
Sukamal Pegu, Head of Esports India and South Asia, Riot Games, added:
“Competing in VCSA continues to be one of the most defining experiences for teams in South Asia. The level of competition, the scale of production, and the passion of the community make this circuit truly special. With the new season underway and the clear path connecting Tier-2 to Tier-1 already announced, we’re excited to see both established rosters and emerging contenders raise the bar even higher.”
With broadcasts set to begin and registrations closing soon, the road to VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 is officially underway. Teams across the region are invited to step forward and shape the next chapter of South Asian VALORANT.
The post NODWIN Gaming’s VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 Set for Broadcast Kickoff; Registrations Close March 4 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Agganis Arena
RLCS Boston Major Becomes Most Watched Event in Rocket League History
The Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) Boston Major 2026 has officially become the most-watched event in Rocket League esports history, setting a new benchmark for global engagement and competitive excellence.
Held at Agganis Arena in Boston, the Major concluded with a thrilling all-French Grand Final, where Gentlemates defeated tournament favourites Team Vitality 4:2 to claim the first Major title of the 2026 season.
Record-Breaking Viewership Milestone
The RLCS Boston Major 2026 delivered unprecedented audience numbers:
- Peak Viewers: 624,316 concurrent viewers
- Average Viewership: Over 270,000 viewers
- First RLCS event ever to surpass 600,000 concurrent viewers
This milestone represents a 33.3% increase over the previous all-time peak recorded at the 2022–23 RLCS World Championship, highlighting sustained year-over-year growth and expanding global interest in Rocket League esports.
The event’s performance reinforces RLCS as one of the fastest-growing competitive circuits in modern esports.
A Grand Final Worthy of the Record
The Boston Major culminated in a high-stakes French showdown between Gentlemates and Team Vitality. The 4:2 victory secured Gentlemates’ first Major trophy of the season and signaled a shift in competitive power dynamics heading deeper into 2026.
The all-French final further amplified international audience engagement, particularly across European broadcast markets, contributing significantly to the event’s record-breaking concurrent viewership.
Global Broadcast Reach and Multi-Language Coverage
Beyond peak numbers, the Boston Major showcased:
- Multi-language broadcast streams
- Cross-platform digital distribution
- Strong in-arena attendance
- Expanded regional fan engagement
Hosted in front of thousands of live fans at Agganis Arena, the event combined traditional arena esports spectacle with robust online streaming performance — a formula that continues to fuel RLCS’s accelerating global momentum.
What This Means for Rocket League Esports
The 2026 Boston Major marks a defining moment for the RLCS ecosystem:
- Sustained Global Growth – The consistent upward trend in viewership confirms Rocket League’s staying power within the esports landscape.
- Mainstream Momentum – Breaking the 600K peak threshold positions RLCS among elite-tier esports events globally.
- Competitive Depth – The diversity and intensity of international competition continue to elevate the broadcast product.
- Commercial Validation – Record audience metrics strengthen sponsorship, media rights, and long-term circuit investment potential.
As the 2026 season progresses, the Boston Major sets a new performance benchmark that future Majors and the World Championship will aim to surpass.
The post RLCS Boston Major Becomes Most Watched Event in Rocket League History appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Brazilian Carnival
Esportes da Sorte transforms Carnival 2026 into a nationwide immersive experience
Leading Brazilian iGaming company Esportes da Sorte has transformed Carnival 2026 into a nationwide immersive experience, activating urban art installations, hydration stations and large‑scale attractions across nine cities in Brazil. As part of its expanded cultural engagement strategy, the brand is serving as an official sponsor in key Carnival locations and delivering experiential initiatives designed for revelers in the streets and major public spaces.
Esportes da Sorte’s nationwide platform builds on its history of investing in popular culture and public events, moving beyond traditional branding to create meaningful on‑site activations that enhance the urban environment and respond to the unique character of each city’s Carnival celebrations.
In Rio de Janeiro, the company’s efforts focus on the street Carnival experience with hydration points, cool zones and shaded areas in high‑traffic celebration routes. São Paulo’s megabloc circuits feature water trucks, hydration stations and on‑site urban support.
In Recife Antigo, one of Carnival’s cultural centers, Esportes da Sorte installed a standout Ferris wheel at Marco Zero, offering panoramic views of the festivities and historic landscape. Urban transformations like video mapping on iconic buildings and aerial installations along Rua Marquês de Olinda further blend public space with the Carnival experience.
Other cities such as Olinda and Salvador also feature tailored activations, including sensory design, refreshment tunnels and themed artistic displays that align with local traditions and festival dynamics.
In addition to physical structures, the initiative includes a robust communications strategy, sensory activations, public well‑being supports and content campaigns that amplify the carnival‑street experience across digital and traditional media.
According to Germana Casal, Production Coordinator at the Esportes Gaming Brasil Group, the goal is to “be present in a meaningful way at the country’s biggest popular celebration,” respecting each city’s identity and delivering initiatives that improve the Carnival experience for participants.
Esportes da Sorte’s Carnival 2026 project builds on the brand’s presence at more than 100 Carnival parties and street blocos in 2025, reinforcing its leadership role in Brazil’s largest cultural event and deepening its connection with urban celebration culture nationwide.
The post Esportes da Sorte transforms Carnival 2026 into a nationwide immersive experience appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
BIS SIGMA7 days agoBrazil between expansion and fiscal pressure
-
Central Europe6 days agoPowering the Next Generation of Online Casinos: Inside DSTGAMING’s Scalable iGaming Ecosystem
-
Adjusted EBITDA5 days agoBragg Gaming Announces Select Preliminary Unaudited Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results, and Issues Full Year 2026 Guidance
-
BIS SIGMA7 days agoBrasil entre la expansión y la presión fiscal
-
Bagley-Keene Act5 days agoCalifornia Gambling Control Commission Issues Critical Guidance on Stakeholder Communications and Ex Parte Rules
-
Alberta iGaming Corporation6 days agoAlberta iGaming Corporation Partners with Responsible Gambling Council
-
Habanero6 days agoRacing Royalty — Habanero’s High-Speed Hold-and-Ride Thrill
-
BGaming6 days agoBrace for Impact — BGaming’s Rocket Eruption: Triple Blast



