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.”

Asia

Esports Foundation opens 2026 co-streaming Creator Program with $2m rewards pool

Published

2 hours ago

June 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-opens-2026-co-streaming-creator-program-with-$2m-rewards-pool

The Esports Foundation (EF) has opened applications for its 2026 Creator Program, committing $2 million (~INR 19 crore) in rewards for co-streamers supporting the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 in Paris and the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026 in Riyadh. EF announced the program on June 12, 2026, from Paris and Riyadh, and said applications are open now, including for creators across India.

EF said co-streaming was a key driver of EWC reach last year, citing 3,500 co-streamers as “one of the key growth pillars” for EWC viewership in 2025. The Foundation is positioning the 2026 Creator Program as a scaled-up initiative, targeting 5,000 creators “across new regions and platforms.”

“This isn’t just an esports trend; it’s a media trend,” said Wasae Imran, Director Broadcast & Distribution at the Esports Foundation. “Across music, video, news and sport, audiences don’t just watch what they’re given anymore. They choose their own experience: what to watch, where to focus, and how deep to go. Esports just lives further down that road than most, and traditional sport is heading the same way. It’s not about delivering a match in one format, it’s about opening up every way into the same moment and letting fans choose how they want to consume it. The Creators Program is how we build for that, by enabling the growth of creators that fans already trust to carry the world’s biggest esports event into every community.”

According to EF, approved creators can co-stream selected tournaments, complete missions, and progress a “Battle Pass” tied to rewards ranging from gift cards and hardware to platform perks and invitations to EWC and ENC. EF said the program supports multiple streaming platforms, including Twitch, YouTube, Bilibili, Huya, and CHZZK.

EF also confirmed operational details for EWC 2026: the event is set for Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from July 6 through August 23, featuring more than 2,000 players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries across 25 tournaments and 24 games, with a $75 million+ prize pool. ENC 2026 is scheduled for November in Riyadh and will extend the creator program to a nation-based competition format.

The post Esports Foundation opens 2026 co-streaming Creator Program with $2m rewards pool appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BLAST

BLAST partners with MATCH on premium fan travel for 2026-27 events

Published

19 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

blast-partners-with-match-on-premium-fan-travel-for-2026-27-events

Deal covers travel and hospitality packages across BLAST’s event slate, starting with BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals in November.

BLAST has signed a one-year partnership with MATCH to develop premium fan travel experiences and related commercial opportunities across BLAST events in 2026 and 2027, including the BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals 2026. The companies said the work will start immediately, with an initial focus on the BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals event in November.

BLAST VP of Destinations and Market Development James Woollard said: “We’re thrilled to partner with MATCH, a company with an unrivalled track record in delivering top-tier fan travel experiences at the biggest sporting events in the world. As BLAST continues to grow globally and attract growing numbers of travelling fans, this partnership represents an exciting opportunity to further elevate the live event experience for fans and audiences across esports.”

MATCH is best known for hospitality and accommodation programmes at major sports events, including four consecutive FIFA World Cups from 2010 to 2022, as well as Ryder Cup tournaments, Formula 1 Grands Prix and ATP tennis tournaments. MATCH Director of UK Events and Business Strategy Richard Parker said: “Esports is one of the most exciting growth frontiers in live entertainment, and BLAST stands out as a world-class platform with incredible potential. At MATCH, we see a tremendous opportunity to bring our expertise in creating premium fan experiences into the esports arena. We are very enthusiastic about the possibility of working together with BLAST to deliver innovative, unforgettable experiences for esports fans worldwide.”

BLAST said MATCH will also bring its network of clients, sponsors, federations, agents and media partners to support international attendance and partner activation, alongside MATCH’s technology and operational infrastructure. The announcement follows BLAST’s 2025 live events activity, where the organiser said it delivered 15 arena shows across 10 countries spanning five titles and sold 194,421 tickets.

The post BLAST partners with MATCH on premium fan travel for 2026-27 events appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Counter-strike

Team Vitality opens V.Hub fan zone for IEM Cologne Major

Published

23 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

team-vitality-opens-v.hub-fan-zone-for-iem-cologne-major

Team Vitality is launching an official fan zone, V.Hub, to coincide with the 2026 IEM Cologne Major. The venue will run June 18-21 at KWB im Stadtpalais, a short walk from the LANXESS Arena.

Access to V.Hub will be free for fans who sign up, with limited availability. Team Vitality said the space is intended to bring together its community, partners and Counter-Strike fans attending the event.

The fan zone will include dedicated areas hosted by Team Vitality and partners Skin.Club, ASUS ROG, EVNIA and Blacklyte. The club said activations will include hands-on experiences and opportunities to play bespoke Counter-Strike maps.

Team Vitality also plans match watch parties, a pop-up shop for official merchandise and giveaways, including an ASUS ROG x Team Vitality co-branded mousepad. During the playoff stage, the club said V.Hub will be set up for trophy photo opportunities with its Major trophies.

Food and drink will be available on site throughout the event, including vegetarian options.

The post Team Vitality opens V.Hub fan zone for IEM Cologne Major appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.