eSports

EXCEL ESPORTS partners with fitness equipment manufacturer Eleiko to enhance LEC performance

Published

5 years ago

January 28, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The partnership will see Eleiko supply EXCEL ESPORTS’ League of Legends’ team with world leading fitness equipment, helping to better EXCEL’s performance strategy

British competitive gaming culture brand EXCEL ESPORTS has today announced a supplier partnership with the world leader in weightlifting equipment, Eleiko. As the Official Fitness Equipment Supplier, Eleiko will supply EXCEL’s League of Legends Championship (LEC) team with a selection of equipment at the player facilities in Berlin that will assist with performance and fitness training.

The announcement follows EXCEL’s brand update that saw it begin forging its own unique path in esports through its new belief in the Power of Better, which sees the team driven by performance and incorporates purpose in order to be better and create positive change in esports and gaming.

EXCEL ESPORTS’ League of Legends players are provided with a holistic, professional performance programme that incorporates both physical and psychological training and support and is spearheaded by the team’s Head of Performance Fabian Broich and Performance Manager Simon Bayer. The partnership with Eleiko will see the team utilise Eleiko’s equipment to support the players individual and team physical training regimes to prepare them throughout the 2021 Spring Split.

EXCEL’s LEC team officially kicked off its 2021 LEC campaign this past weekend with the team bidding to follow up on a successful 2020 Summer Split after narrowly missing out on playoffs. Each year EXCEL’s LEC team has improved significantly, surpassing the performance of the previous year with 2020 marking its best result to date. With a roster of long-standing EXCEL players and promising new talent, EXCEL is looking to continue to improve its results in the LEC in 2021.

The LEC is Europe’s leading League of Legends esports league and represents the highest level of esports competition in the region. Watched by millions of esports fans every week, the league is home to the best 10 teams in Europe who each year represent their region at the League of Legends World Championship.

“At EXCEL improvement never stops and we are always striving to be better. We have big ambitions for 2021 and it’s great to work with a partner like Eleiko who really understands the fitness environment and can provide us with the tools to reach our goals. Performance is a real focal point at EXCEL and it’s great we are able to provide our players with world-class equipment where they can train in a safe environment, ” said Robin McCammon, Chief Commercial Officer, EXCEL.

“EXCEL recently released a whitepaper called “Gaming for Better” which details how regular exercise has a positive impact on a professional gamers lifestyle and wellbeing and how physical health is vital to performance in gaming. The partnership with Eleiko allows us to improve our training regime even more and comes at the perfect time for the LEC Spring Split and while gyms are closed due to COVID. Partnering with Eleiko has given us an opportunity to create our own gym to adapt to the circumstances and find solutions to stabilize our players’ health and performance,” said Fabian Broich, Head of Performance at EXCEL.

”At Eleiko, we understand the difference a sharp mind and body makes. Strength training provides esports athletes with a competitive edge: enhanced memory, endurance and cognitive functions, faster reaction time and greater grip strength. We are proud to support EXCEL’s LEC team in their high-performance training as well as in their esports success,” says Erik Blomberg, CEO at Eleiko.

Astana

Astana to host IESF World Esports Championship 2027

Published

21 hours 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

2 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

2 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.