eSports
Skillz Becomes First Publicly-traded Mobile Esports Platform
Skillz Inc., the leading mobile games platform connecting players in fair, fun, and meaningful competition, became the first publicly-traded mobile esports platform, following the completion of its combination with special purpose acquisition company Flying Eagle Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: FEAC). The combined company is named Skillz Inc. and its common stock will begin trading tomorrow on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “SKLZ”. With $250 million in cash and no debt on the balance sheet, Skillz is poised to capitalize on the massive growth expected in mobile gaming.
“We built Skillz on the founding belief that esports are for everyone, and have made significant progress toward our vision of enabling everyone to share in the future of competition,” said Andrew Paradise, CEO and founder of Skillz. “We stand at the intersection of mobile gaming and esports, perhaps the two most exciting growth opportunities of the next decade. I thank the entire Skillz team for their dedication, passion, and creativity, which have led us to this incredible moment on our journey to build the competition layer of the internet.”
With just a fraction of the world’s 2.7 billion gamers on its platform today, Skillz has a long runway for growth in building its service for the 10 million game developers globally. Skillz is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the rapidly expanding mobile gaming market, which is expected to more than double by 2025 to $150 billion. As Skillz moves beyond casual esports into new genres, adds new monetization models, and enters new geographies, the company’s addressable market will increase substantially. Going international is a significant opportunity for Skillz. The international market is four times larger than the North American market and represents less than 10% of Skillz revenue today.
Skillz has pioneered the future of the gaming industry, enabling developers to monetize their content five times better than ads or in-app purchases. The company’s platform enables game developers to expand the reach of their games and scale their businesses. Leveraging powerful network effects built out of the platform’s data science, Skillz drives more user engagement, higher conversion, and monetization. Core to the company’s proprietary advantages is patented anti-cheat and anti-fraud technology designed to ensure trust and fairness.
“I’ve had a front row seat to the video game and entertainment industry’s evolution over the past two decades, from my role as founding investor and board member of Bethesda Games to recently taking DraftKings public,” said Harry Sloan, Chairman of Flying Eagle. “We believe that Andrew has positioned Skillz to lead the convergence of mobile, gaming, and player enablement into the future of entertainment itself.”
This announcement comes on the heels of a year of continued success. Skillz saw consistent growth and further expanded collaborative efforts with game developers, major brands, influencers, and nonprofit organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, World Wildlife Fund, and the NAACP.
The transaction includes the $158.5 million PIPE investment led by Wellington Management Company, Fidelity Management & Research Company, LLC, Franklin Templeton, and Neuberger Berman. As previously announced, Skillz founders CEO Andrew Paradise and CRO Casey Chafkin will continue to lead the company. They will be supported by Skillz’s highly experienced team, including CTO Miriam Aguirre and CFO Scott Henry.
Powered by WPeMatico
Asia
IESF Officially Opens the World Esports Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur
Reading Time: < 1 minute
The World Esports Championship 2025 (WEC25) is officially open in Kuala Lumpur, welcoming athletes, fans, and delegations from around the globe. With 19 nations taking part in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), this year’s event stands as the most internationally diverse MLBB competition in IESF history.
After a year filled with national and regional qualifiers and preparations from teams around the world, the world’s top esports athletes have arrived in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. The opening ceremony set the tone for the days ahead, offering fans a first glimpse of the excitement and atmosphere surrounding this year’s championship.
“WEC25 reflects the continued growth of esports as a space for connection, competition, and shared passion,” said IESF General Secretary Boban Totovski. “Bringing together 19 nations for MLBB is a milestone not just for the title, but for the entire esports ecosystem. We are proud to bring this edition of the championship to Kuala Lumpur.”
As the competition officially kicks off, the schedule is fully packed with exciting match-ups among Nations, competing for their flag and country. The best from all over the world will have the unique opportunity to become the MLBB World Champion.
IESF extends its gratitude to the Malaysian government and the Ministry for Youth and Sports, partners, athletes, and global supporters who continue to elevate the championship’s reach and impact.
The post IESF Officially Opens the World Esports Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
League of Legends Fans Flock to Munich for a Thrilling Edition of Red Bull League of Its Own 2025
Reading Time: 3 minutes
- Red Bull League of its Own 2025 saw Europe’s finest and global icons collide in a showcase of skill, creativity, and pure entertainment, marking another standout chapter for the one-of-a-kind tournament series
- Featuring some of the wildest matches ever played, highlights include G2 securing a huge 45-16 kills against T1 and Los Ratones facing off and beating T1 for the second year in a row
- MSI returned with its MSI Gaming Arena, joined by Sony INZONE as official headset partner and Herman Miller Gaming as official gaming chair partner
A new chapter in European esports history was written this weekend as Red Bull League of Its Own 2025 lit up Munich’s iconic SAP Garden, welcoming over 11,500 live attendees and countless online viewers for a full day of spectacle, strategy, and pure passion. The lineup read like a who’s who of League of Legends greatness – with reigning world champions T1 facing off against Europe’s most celebrated squads, including G2 Esports, Karmine Corp, NNO Old, and Los Ratones. Each team brought their signature flair, creative strategies, and unforgettable personalities, setting the tone for a day filled with unforgettable clashes.
Returning for its third edition, the one-of-a-kind event brought together these global legends and European fan favourites for a show built on daring play. For the first time, the stage was set in Munich’s state-of-the-art SAP Garden, transforming the city’s Olympic Park into a high-energy esports arena that buzzed with anticipation from the opening match to the closing moments. Fans were treated to a thrilling slate of best-of-one showdowns throughout the day, that kept the pace sharp and the competition unpredictable.
G2 Esports and NNO Old opened the event, with G2 coming out on top as attendees witnessed the team setting the tone for the day-long tournament with a huge KDA spike right off the bat. Match 2 saw Karmine Corp emerging victorious after a rigorous battle with Los Ratones, establishing themselves as one of Europe’s strongest. However, G2 pulled no stops showcasing why they are the leading European team in match 3, dominating the match against Karmine Corp and earning them the European title match.
Next came the clash of the titans which saw T1 facing off back-to-back against Europe’s best. G2 Esports vs T1 saw Steven “Hans Sama” Liv dropping 18 kills, resulting in G2 Esports slamming T1 with 45-16 kills in an unprecedented and shocking twist. T1 managed to scrape back after their previous loss, with Faker landing his signature outplays and bringing the team to victory against NNO Old. Then finally the showdown everyone was waiting for: the rematch between Los Ratones and T1. The battle was relentless and the most dominating, lightning-paced showmatches of the day, with 81 kills seen in 28 minutes. T1 countered with their signature flair but Los Ratones proved their might once more, driving T1’s base and closing the show in an absolute tailspin. Each match pushed competitors to their limits, celebrating the creativity and spontaneity that make Red Bull League of Its Own, unlike any other tournament in the scene.
Dynamic host Sjokz led the charge, guiding fans through every twist and turn of the event with trademark charisma and energy. The atmosphere inside SAP Garden was electric – a seamless blend of top-tier esports production, immersive visuals, and a fan community united in their love for the game. Whether watching from the front row or on stream, viewers experienced the full force of Red Bull’s commitment to pushing competitive gaming beyond the ordinary.
By the end of the day, Red Bull League of Its Own 2025 had once again proven why it stands as one of the most unique and beloved events in the League of Legends calendar. With moments that had fans holding their breath, the event captured the true spirit of modern esports – bold, unpredictable, and endlessly entertaining. From cheering for their favorite pros to discovering new matchups and witnessing once-in-a-lifetime plays, fans left Munich with memories to last long after the lights went down, with anticipation already building for what the next edition of Red Bull League of Its Own will bring.
The post League of Legends Fans Flock to Munich for a Thrilling Edition of Red Bull League of Its Own 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
S8UL Esports Secures iQOO as Title Sponsor for its Pokémon UNITE and MOBA Legends 5v5 Rosters
Reading Time: 3 minutes
S8UL Esports, a global name in esports and gaming content, has onboarded high-performance smartphone brand iQOO as the Title Sponsor for its Pokémon UNITE and MOBA Legends 5v5 rosters. With this strengthened alliance, iQOO deepens its commitment to supporting India’s top esports talent while S8UL further accelerates its multi-title expansion ahead of a landmark competitive season.
iQOO has supported the growth of Indian esports for several years, working closely with top teams and major tournaments. Its continued association with iQOO SOUL, one of India’s leading BGMI rosters, has contributed to the team’s strong performances, including its recent win at the Chennai Esports Global Championship 2025.
Extending this support to S8UL’s newly signed rosters, the brand will equip athletes with its powerful, gaming-optimized smartphones to enhance their training and tournament preparation. As part of the partnership, the iQOO logo will feature prominently on the front of the team jerseys, and both rosters will now compete under the names iQOO S8UL Pokémon UNITE and iQOO S8UL MOBA Legends 5v5.
“iQOO has been with S8UL for a long time, starting with our BGMI team, and their support has played an important role in our journey. Extending this partnership to our Pokémon UNITE and MOBA Legends 5v5 teams is a natural next step as we grow across more titles. Our focus at S8UL is to build strong, well-prepared rosters in every game we enter, and working with a partner like iQOO helps us give our players the tools they need to compete with confidence in India and internationally.,” said Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL Esports.

S8UL’s Pokémon UNITE team, led by captain Manmohan Singh (AllMight) and comprising Rahul Sharad Lavhate (Kyurem), Deep Patel (Snowyy), Adnan Badshah (Badshahh), and Rudra Narayan Nayak (ReX), is widely regarded as the top roster in the South Asia region. The team has claimed three regional championships in the last three years and has consistently represented India on the international stage at the Pokémon UNITE World Championship.
The organization’s newly signed MOBA Legends 5v5 roster arrives with a wealth of experience and an impressive track record across India’s community-led tournaments. The team includes in-game leader Mohammad Saad (Apex), Abhijeet Katkar (Abhi), Mehta Jay (J), Chirag Singh (Radium), Debasish Sana (Anti) and Anush N (Fear). Apex notably competed at the MLBB Mid Season Cup 2024 at the Esports World Cup, which featured a staggering USD 3 million (approx. INR 26.7 crore) prize pool.
The enhanced partnership with iQOO comes at a time when S8UL is rapidly scaling its multi-title presence. Earlier this year, S8UL became the first and only Indian organisation selected for the prestigious Club Partner Program of the Esports World Cup 2025, placing it among the world’s elite esports organisations.
On the content front, the organization recently won the ‘Esports Content Group of the Year’ for the fourth time in a row, while Co-Founder Animesh “8Bit Thug” Agarwal earned the title of ‘Esports Personality of the Year’ at the Esports Awards 2025, underlining the organisation’s unmatched influence across both esports and creator ecosystems.
By bringing two high-potential rosters under the iQOO S8UL banner, the organisation reinforces its drive to build winning line-ups across every title it enters. The newly branded iQOO S8UL Pokémon UNITE roster will be the first to step into action, competing at the Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2026 – India from November 29.
The post S8UL Esports Secures iQOO as Title Sponsor for its Pokémon UNITE and MOBA Legends 5v5 Rosters appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
ELA Games6 days agoGlory & Honour Await the Strongest Gladiators in ELA Games’ Newest Game, Roman Fortune
-
Amusnet5 days agoAmusnet Celebrates Double Victory at the Golden Spades Awards 2025
-
Helge Løken6 days agoHelge Løken Resigns as CTO of Norsk Tipping
-
Asia6 days agoBetConstruct AI to Participate in SiGMA South Asia 2025
-
Asia6 days agoStricter rules help shape a more responsible E-Games sector – PAGCOR
-
Asia6 days agoS8UL Esports Secures iQOO as Title Sponsor for its Pokémon UNITE and MOBA Legends 5v5 Rosters
-
Latest News6 days agoTom Horn Gaming Unwraps a Frosty Treat with Santa Yetti
-
Balkans5 days agoState Lottery in Bulgaria Set for Privatisation



