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
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.
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, 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.
-
Asia7 days agoPhilWeb Secures ₱2.02 Billion Strategic Investment from Lance Y. Gokongwei to Accelerate AI-Driven Technology Expansion
-
BGaming7 days ago
LatAm: Beyond Brazil – Chile, Uruguay and Peru’s Regulatory Trajectories
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
PlayCity Partners with Streaming Platform Kick to Block Illegal Gambling Ads
-
Canada7 days ago
Gaming Corps goes live with OLG iCasino in Ontario
-
3 Oaks Gaming6 days ago
Weekend Reels | Week 26: Slot Drops & Trends
-
3 Oaks Gaming7 days ago
3 Oaks Gaming releases Joker Glitz x1000 slot with stacked multipliers
-
appointments6 days ago
OS Studios names Ishaan Arya country manager to lead India expansion
-
Latest News6 days ago
Relax Gaming Releases its Latest Slot Game “Midnight Marauder – ClusterBreaker”
