eSports

got2b and SPORTFIVE embark on the next level with esports

Published

5 years ago

April 1, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The trend styling brand becomes the official partner of the EU Masters and opts for digital interaction with the gaming and esports community

After the successful entry into the gaming cosmos last year, got2b is now expanding its activities and enters professional esports for the first time: The trend styling brand will become the official partner of the EU Masters, the biggest League of Legends competition on the European Continent, next to the LEC.

The global sports business agency, SPORTFIVE, which recently expanded its consulting know-how through the acquisition of the esports agency build a rocket (BLRK), has again developed a campaign for the Henkel brand, got2b. Within the scope of this cooperation, SPORTFIVE and BLRK are responsible for the mediation, consulting, conception, activation and implementation of the partnership, as well as the related interactive Twitch campaign.

After a market analysis and consultation, SPORTFIVE already developed a gaming campaign in 2020 for the Henkel hairstyling brand, got2b: #got2ChangeTheGame. During the course of the analysis, it was determined that a high affinity exists between the got2b target group and the subject of gaming. The main aim of the partnership with the EU Masters is therefore still to approach and interact with the gaming community. In doing so, got2b is leaving its comfort zone in the beauty and lifestyle area and is addressing another relevant target group. The partnership and the campaign are focussing on the DACH region and further expanding #got2ChangeTheGame as a campaign.

As integral part of the campaign, got2b is collaborating with five relevant and individual gaming influencers and thereby creating digital live moments on the Twitch streaming platform, which are intended to motivate the community of influencers to have interactions. The focus is on a creative mixture of live streams, hairstyling and quiz elements that significantly integrate got2b into the gaming world. Furthermore, authentic product placements are planned, which cater to the gaming target group and give the community the opportunity to try out new styles that underscore their personality.

In line with the campaign, SPORTFIVE/BLRK have also created a dedicated landing page: www.got2bgaming.de celebrates its launch today and creates further attractive touchpoints for got2b fans from the gaming scene via a major raffle. Awareness, Purchase, Consideration: The goal of the cooperation between got2b and the EU Masters is to achieve interaction and engagement among fans and followers and to sustainably address an important new target group.

Rik Strubel, CMO Henkel Beauty Care, explains: “got2b is a rebel for bold, load communication and innovative products in our Henkel Beauty Care portfolio. Last year, in collaboration with SPORTFIVE, we were able to position got2b very successfully in the gaming community. In order to further expand our involvement in the area of esports, we are now going a step further: As a partner of the European Masters and in collaboration with streamers and gamers, we will succeed in inspiring the community with interactive and entertaining content. In doing so, we will showcase that everyone should style and express themselves just as they want and we clearly embrace diversity and self-expression.”

Karsten Bentlage, Managing Director with SPORTFIVE Germany Consulting, adds: “This intensified partnership not only impressively demonstrates the added value that the gaming and esports world offers Henkel and got2b as a communication platform, but also the power and know-how that build a rocket and SPORTFIVE collectively bring to the table. This cooperation will be authentically and creatively filled with life and new approaches in the digital world!”

Alexander Albrecht, Managing Director of build a rocket, says: “It makes us proud to take this partnership to the next level! After a successful start, Henkel is now taking the next step with got2b and becomes a strong esports partner. We are delighted to once again be able to create, implement and accompany the entire campaign in all its facets with our expertise and in close cooperation with SPORTFIVE.”

BLAST

BLAST opens New York HQ as 2025 revenue tops $133m on 40%+ growth

Published

12 hours 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

12 hours 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.

asia qualifiers

India qualifies for Esports Nations Cup 2026 VALORANT main event

Published

2 days ago

June 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

india-qualifies-for-esports-nations-cup-2026-valorant-main-event

India has qualified for the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026 VALORANT main event after advancing through the Asia regional qualifiers. The nation-based tournament runs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from November 2 to 29, with VALORANT scheduled for November 8 to 15.

The Asia qualifier featured nine teams in a double-elimination bracket, with best-of-one matches until the upper- and lower-bracket finals, which were best-of-three. India opened with a 13-2 win over Nepal, then dropped to the lower bracket after a 5-13 loss to Japan. The team then eliminated Pakistan (13-9) and Mongolia (13-10) before securing qualification by beating Hong Kong 2-0 (13-10, 13-6).

India’s roster includes in-game leader Sagnik Roy (Hellf) alongside Abhirup Choudhury (Lightningfast), Aman Yadav (Hoax), Venkatesh Sharma (Venky), and Daivik Chauhan (Dc). Norbu Tsering (Karam1L) and Shravana Sahoo (Techno) are listed as substitutes, with Abhishek Bajaj (GodspeedxD) named as coach. NODWIN Gaming is India’s National Team Partner (NTP) for ENC 2026.

Venky led the Asia qualifiers in eliminations with 117 across India’s six matches, according to the organiser. The company also said more than 100,000 viewers watched the Asia qualifier finals across co-streams and official ENC broadcasts.

Speaking about the qualification, Sagnik Roy (Hellf), IGL of India’s VALORANT team, said, “This qualification means a lot because of what it represents for India’s VALORANT scene. After the loss against Japan, we knew we had to reset quickly and focus on one game at a time. Every player stepped up when it mattered, and our ability to stay composed under pressure helped us turn things around. The growth of the game’s ecosystem over the last few years has created a pool of players capable of competing at the highest level, and this team is a reflection of that progress. Every international opportunity helps push the ecosystem forward and inspires the next generation of competitors. We are excited to compete at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup and want to make the most of this chance.”

ENC 2026 VALORANT will feature 32 national teams competing for a USD 1.5 million (~INR 14 crore) prize pool. Sixteen teams were invited via ENC Rankings based on official Riot Games competition results, with 14 places decided through regional qualifiers. The United Arab Emirates has a Host Region Wildcard, and one Solidarity Wildcard slot remains, due to be announced at the end of August once qualifiers conclude.

The post India qualifies for Esports Nations Cup 2026 VALORANT main event appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.