eSports
RIOT GAMES, FREAKS 4U GAMING and SPORTFIVE partner up to produce and commercialize the 2021 VALORANT CHAMPIONS TOUR
Riot Games and Freaks 4U Gaming have agreed to a partnership for the tournament organization and broadcasting of the 2021 VALORANT Champions Tour. SPORTFIVE complements the partnership as a comprehensive marketing partner for the Challengers, Challenger Finals and Last Chance Qualifiers in Europe, CIS countries and Turkey.
Esports publisher Riot Games, Freaks 4U Gaming, one of the leading esports content creators worldwide, and global sports business agency SPORTFIVE have joined forces to establish and commercialize the first edition of the VALORANT Champions Tour in Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and Turkey.
Last November, Riot Games announced the 2021 VALORANT Champions Tour as a global competitive gaming ecosystem with the goal of making VALORANT the next big cross-generational esports title.
For broadcasting and tournament organization in Europe, CIS countries, and Turkey, Riot Games has secured the full expertise of Freaks 4U Gaming, building upon their existing League of Legends collaboration in the German speaking markets. As well as producing the main broadcasts in each territory, Freaks 4U Gaming will also localize the broadcasts in German (via Agent’s Range) and French (via 1PV).
To ensure the best possible coverage on the marketing side, SPORTFIVE complements the strategic collaboration to acquire potent partners for the 2021 VALORANT Challengers, Challenger Finals and Last Chance Qualifiers in Europe, CIS countries and Turkey together with Freaks 4U Gaming as a co-commercialization partner.
Daniel Ringland, Head of VALORANT Esports for Europe and MENA at Riot Games, said:
“We couldn’t be more excited to launch our partnership with Freaks 4U Gaming and SPORTFIVE to bring the future of VALORANT esports to Europe, Turkey, and the CIS. Both companies bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and enthusiasm to the table and I’m confident that together we will build something fans love.”
Michael Haenisch, CEO at Freaks 4U Gaming, said:
”We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Riot Games and to closely collaborate on the creation of the VALORANT esports eco-system by producing and broadcasting the 2021 VALORANT Champions Tour in Europe, CIS and Turkey. Together with Riot Games and SPORTFIVE, we aim to build a sustainable foundation for VALORANT esports by establishing meaningful brand partnerships leading to a great player and viewer experience.”
Thomas Ottl, Executive Director Global Esports at SPORTFIVE, added:
“Being responsible for the marketing mandate for one of the hottest esports titles of the upcoming years is a tremendous pleasure for us. With our expertise and our global sales force, we’re excited to open up a unique opportunity for brands to become a top-tier partner. Furthermore, to enlarge our portfolio within our partnership with Freaks 4U Gaming and Riot Games makes us excited and is a great next step in our relationship.”
Earlier this month the VALORANT Champions Tour kicked off in Europe with the first of three Challenger tournaments in Stage 01, followed by the first of three Challenger tournaments in the CIS and Turkey last weekend. During the Challengers, participating teams play for a total prize pool of EUR 177,500 and the qualification for the first 2021 VALORANT Masters event in March, where additional USD 300,000 prize money will be at stake.
The three Regional Challengers and the Masters will be played entirely online with top matches streamed on the respective Twitch and YouTube streams.
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eSports
Esports Foundation books Paris Expo Porte de Versailles for Esports World Cup 2026
The Esports Foundation (EF) has confirmed Paris Expo Porte de Versailles as the venue for Esports World Cup 2026, scheduled to run in Paris, France, from July 06 through August 23.
EF said tickets for all 25 competitions will go on sale from Friday, May 29, 2026, via esportsworldcup.com/tickets. The organiser said the venue will host competition arenas, broadcast operations, and fan activations across the seven-week programme.
According to EF, more than 2,000 players from over 200 Clubs and more than 100 countries will compete for a $75 million prize pool as part of the event’s cross-game Club Championship. The tournament lineup spans major competitive genres, including first-person shooters, strategy, sports, MOBAs, battle royales, fighting games, racing games, and Chess.
EF also outlined ticketing tiers, including Regular Tournament Passes, Premium Tournament Passes (with fast-track entry and a limited-edition goodie bag), Daily Regular Tournament Passes, and tiered Final Day seating zones (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) for select championship matches across VALORANT, League of Legends, Rocket League, and Counter-Strike 2.
The published schedule lists Week 1 events including VALORANT (July 9–12), ALGS Year 6 Split 1 Playoffs (Apex Legends) (July 7–11), Dota 2 (July 7–12), and FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves (July 8–11), with Counter-Strike 2 closing out Week 7 from August 19–23 alongside Fortnite Reload Elite Series Championship, Trackmania, and CROSSFIRE.
The post Esports Foundation books Paris Expo Porte de Versailles for Esports World Cup 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
eSports
Esports Foundation sets Esports World Cup 2026 venue at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
Tickets go on sale May 29 for the seven-week Paris event running July 6 to August 23, with a $75 million prize pool across 25 competitions.
The Esports Foundation (EF) has confirmed Paris Expo Porte de Versailles as the venue for the Esports World Cup 2026, scheduled for July 06 through August 23 in Paris, France.
Ticket sales open Friday, May 29, 2026 via esportsworldcup.com/tickets. EF said the event will run for seven weeks and span 25 competitions, with more than 2,000 players from over 200 Clubs and more than 100 countries competing for a $75 million prize pool.
EF said Paris Expo Porte de Versailles will host competition arenas, broadcast operations, fan activations, and festival experiences. The organiser also pointed to the venue’s track record as the home of Paris Games Week since 2010 and as a site used during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Ticketing includes Regular Tournament Passes and Premium Tournament Passes, alongside Daily Regular Tournament Passes. For select championship matches across VALORANT, League of Legends, Rocket League, and Counter-Strike 2, EF said “Final Day Seating Zones” will be split into Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers.
The published schedule lists Week 1 events including VALORANT (July 9–12), ALGS Year 6 Split 1 Playoffs for Apex Legends (July 7–11), Dota 2 (July 7–12), and FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves (July 8–11), concluding in Week 7 with Counter-Strike 2 (August 19–23), Fortnite Reload Elite Series Championship (August 19–22), Trackmania (August 19–22), and CROSSFIRE (August 18–22).
The post Esports Foundation sets Esports World Cup 2026 venue at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
S8UL streamer Payal Dhare and OWND! launch gamer-curated fashion capsule
S8UL gaming creator and streamer Payal Dhare has partnered with OWND!, the Gen Z-focused fashion brand from Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited, to launch a gaming-inspired fashion capsule called ‘Gamer Drop’. The companies describe it as India’s first female gamer-curated capsule. The collection will be available on OWND!’s website and in the brand’s stores across India.
According to the press release, ‘Gamer Drop’ includes menswear and womenswear pieces built around gaming culture and streetwear, positioned as a creator-led collection rather than conventional creator merchandise. The campaign leans on the growing overlap between gaming culture, creator communities, and youth fashion.
Marco Agnolin, Chief Executive Officer, OWND!. said, “We see gaming today as a powerful cultural force that is shaping how young consumers express themselves, communicate, and engage with fashion. As one of India’s biggest gamers, Payal Dhare represents this new generation perfectly through her authenticity, confidence, and deep connection with the gaming community. Her influence extends far beyond gaming content, making her an ideal face for our gaming collection. Through this collaboration, we aim to celebrate individuality and connect with India’s digitally native youth in a way that feels relevant, inclusive, and culture-driven.”
Payal Dhare aka Payal Gaming said, “Gaming today has become a culture and a form of self-expression for millions of young people across the country. That’s what makes this collaboration with OWND! so exciting for me. With this curation, I wanted to create something that genuinely reflects my vibe and the energy of my community. It’s stylish, comfortable, expressive – and made for people who want to own who they are.”
The release also points to India’s expanding creator economy. Citing a Boston Consulting Group report, it says India has nearly 2 to 2.5 million creators, with more than 60% of consumers exposed to creator-led content and over 30% of shoppers influenced by creators in purchase decisions.
The post S8UL streamer Payal Dhare and OWND! launch gamer-curated fashion capsule appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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