eSports
FNATIC SELECT SPORTFIVE TO SECURE THE ESPORTS FRANCHISE’S NEXT MAIN JERSEY SPONSOR
SPORTFIVE has been appointed as the exclusive agency of esports franchise Fnatic for securing of their main Front-of-Jersey partnership, which is available to the market for the first time in three years. Via this partnership, Fnatic will leverage SPORTFIVE’s international sales capabilities and experience to connect with brands across the world, thus finding the ideal main jersey sponsor for the franchise from a story-telling, brand-fit and commercial point of view. A new partner will gain access to the tremendous value of connecting and engaging with Fnatic’s 20 million followers across all platforms.
Fnatic is one of the largest and most prolific esports franchises in the world. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in London, Fnatic is active in the gaming titles League of Legends, Dota 2, PUBG Mobile, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Fortnite, FIFA and Rainbow Six Siege. Fnatic and SPORTFIVE have already successfully collaborated over the past 18 months developing and facilitating new partnerships with VPN brand HMA, online payment provider Klarna, and a global multi-year deal with Chinese electronics giant Hisense. Both parties will now work together to market one of the premium assets in esports, with its extensive range of rights, content opportunities and unique experiences across all seven Fnatic’s teams.
For the benefit of Fnatic, this partnership is also fueld by SPORTFIVE’s fast accelerating esports power and network, e.g. with the establishment of a global esports unit in August 2020 within the framework of the global sport business agency and the SPORTFIVE’s recent acquisition of esports consulting and activation agency build a rocket.
Glen Calvert, Fnatic COO, comments: ”Fnatic is excited to collaborate with SPORTFIVE and further scale our activity in the esports ecosystem by having them represent our most sought-after global asset. After a successful multi-year partnership with OnePlus we’re making available the coveted front of jersey position on all our teams, an asset only available for Global Main partners. Fnatic has an unrivaled legacy and brand position in esports, and finding a partner we can trust to best reflect the value we can provide to brands is important to us, and SPORTFIVE has great experience with a proven track record in this industry. We look forward to the innovative work we’ll do in shaping esports and brand partnerships together.”
Lee Goldwater, Senior Vice President Sales SPORTFIVE, adds: “Fnatic are one of the most forward thinking and progressive rights-holders in the world, and we are proud to have the opportunity to take their Front-of-Jersey main partnership to market. The Fnatic audience is incredibly engaged, and the chance for a business to connect in innovative ways with this passionate set of fans, through the power of the Fnatic brand platform, offers a uniquely valuable marketing opportunity. Our Fnatic relationship is built on the success of consistently delivering new partners for its teams by unlocking the scale and reach of our global sales network, and shaping creative and pioneering esports partnerships capable of delivering huge value for both parties. We look forward to continuing to build on this.”
Paul Mönnekes, Director Global Esports SPORTFIVE, says: “Our clients at SPORTFIVE rely on us to bring them the most premium, sought-after and innovative partnership opportunities available in the sport and media landscape – this appointment delivers on exactly that. Fnatic offers something that very few organizations can deliver, a truly global esports, media and entertainment platform for brands to build a meaningful, integrated and credible connection to the increasingly difficult to reach millennials and gen-z audience. We couldn’t be prouder to be partnered with Fnatic and delivering this opportunity to current and future clients and our commitment to be the most respected and trusted esports agency in the world”
Powered by WPeMatico
1000 Dreams Fund
Riot Games and 1000 Dreams Fund Expand Talent Pipeline in Esports Broadcasting, Accepting Two New Cadets to their Specialized 2026 Program
1000 Dreams Fund (1DF), a nonprofit that empowers talented women and students in need with scholarships, mentorship and other critical resources to help them reach their dream careers, has announced that two new cadets have been selected to its 2026 Riot Games Esports Broadcasting Cadetship at Riot Games’ Remote Broadcast Center (RBC) powered by AWS in Seattle.
The cadets selected for the three-month, paid cadetship position are:
• Marissa M. – Indiana University Bloomington
• Kevin D. – University of North Florida
The cadetship program runs in partnership with Riot Games—a leading video game developer, publisher and esports tournament organizer—and their global partner, AWS. Together with 1DF, the partners are committed to expanding access and creating pathways for individuals aspiring toward a career in esports broadcasting and production.
“We’re excited to host the Esports Broadcasting Cadetship in our Seattle Remote Broadcast Center for the first time. This facility has revolutionized how we produce esports at scale, and the Esports Broadcasting Cadetship brings that innovation to life by connecting emerging talent directly to the future of the industry. Through our partnership with 1000 Dreams Fund, we’re not only investing in today’s talent but also building a pipeline of leaders equipped to shape what comes next in global esports production,” said Allyson Gormley, Global Operations Director, Esports Broadcast & Production for Riot Games.
As Gen Z and early-career professionals increasingly rethink traditional career tracks, demand continues to grow for hands-on, skills-driven roles that offer clear pathways into competitive industries. In response, innovative workforce programs are materializing to bridge the gap between aspiration and opportunity, prioritizing real-world experience over linear career models.
The Riot Games Esports Broadcasting Cadetship exemplifies this new model of workforce development in emerging fields. Launched in 2023 as part of 1000 Dreams Fund’s broader commitment to workforce access and equity, the program was built to meet this moment — long before non-traditional career pathways became a mainstream conversation. By placing early-career students inside a global esports operation, the Cadetship provides a proven pathway, offering the training, mentorship and live production experience needed to launch careers in esports broadcasting.
“This year marks 10 years of 1000 Dreams Fund building programs that create real access to opportunity for students and early-career talent. The Riot Games Esports Broadcasting Cadetship reflects the kind of long-term, impact-driven work we’ve been committed to since day one, and in a time of deep transition in the workforce, these programs are more important than ever. We’re proud to continue expanding pathways, especially within emerging industries, that help students turn ambition into lasting careers,” said Christie Garton, founder and CEO of 1000 Dreams Fund.
For the selected cadets, this investment creates immediate momentum and removes common barriers to entry while positioning participants for long-term growth in a highly competitive field.
The post Riot Games and 1000 Dreams Fund Expand Talent Pipeline in Esports Broadcasting, Accepting Two New Cadets to their Specialized 2026 Program appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
FACTORY-C, the Berlin-based communications powerhouse specializing in gaming and esports, has announced the appointment of Tom Achsel as Event Communications Manager. Achsel will join the “Home of Indies” team alongside project initiator Christiane Gehrke, focusing on the platform’s global expansion and upcoming presence at Gamescom 2026.
With over a decade of experience in the tech and gaming sectors, Achsel brings a massive professional network and deep operational expertise to the agency.
A Veteran of the Berlin Gaming Scene
Tom Achsel is a well-known figure in the German development community. His career highlights include:
-
Games Academy: Served as Head of Marketing & Events at one of Europe’s oldest game development institutions.
-
Games Ground Berlin: Co-founded and led communications for the Berlin Gaming Festival, curating impactful B2B programs and speaker lineups.
-
IGDA Berlin: Serves as Vice-Chairman, strengthening ties between local developers and the global gaming ecosystem.
Christiane Gehrke, Senior Event Communication & Sales Manager at Factory-C
“Tom knows the indie scene from multiple perspectives and has a sharp understanding of the needs of indie developers,” said Christiane Gehrke, Senior Event Communication & Sales Manager at FACTORY-C. “He brings everything needed to support the continued development of Home of Indies.”
Scaling the “Home of Indies” Platform
Since its debut in 2022, Home of Indies has grown into a central pillar of the Gamescom Indie Area. The platform provides a shared booth for independent developers, lowering the barrier to entry for international studios.
-
2025 Growth: The booth expanded to 440 square meters, featuring over 50 games from a dozen countries.
-
New Features: The project recently added a dedicated Spotlight Stage, streaming booths, and professional networking areas via MeetToMatch.
As Event Communications Manager, Achsel will lead the outreach strategy for Gamescom 2026, ensuring that the creative diversity of the global indie scene receives maximum visibility among press, influencers, and players.
The post Tom Achsel Joins FACTORY-C to Spearhead “Home of Indies” Communications appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BlueBottle, the Munich-based esports technology innovator, has officially launched League Broadcast, its professional-grade production software, via a new Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) subscription model.
Announced on January 7, 2026, this B2C release moves the platform from selective partner deployments and its long-standing beta phase into a publicly accessible tool for leagues, tournament organizers, and individual content creators worldwide.
Professional Broadcast Tools for All Tiers
League Broadcast is designed to automate and elevate the visual storytelling of competitive gaming, specifically targeting the League of Legends ecosystem. The software bypasses traditional API limitations by using low-level game data collection to provide real-time, high-fidelity visualizations.
At launch, BlueBottle has introduced a tiered pricing structure to suit different operational scales:
| Tier | Status | Key Features | Target Audience |
| Free | Available | Core overlays, essential team/player data, basic game stats. | Grassroots creators & amateur streamers. |
| Basic | Available | Commercial usage rights, customizable pre-game elements, professional draft tools. | Semi-pro leagues & small event organizers. |
| Pro | Coming Soon | Advanced analytics, event-driven automation, premium production tools. | Professional leagues & high-scale live operations. |
Supported by Creative Europe Media
The transition to a scalable SaaS model was significantly bolstered by funding from Creative Europe Media, the European Union’s flagship program for the audiovisual and creative sectors. This backing allowed BlueBottle to invest in:
-
Enhanced Stability: Hardening the software for 24/7 live environments.
-
Improved Infrastructure: Faster development cycles and dedicated customer support.
-
Accessibility: Lowering the barrier for European creators to produce “broadcast-quality” content that competes with high-budget international productions.
“This launch represents more than a new pricing model — it’s the moment League Broadcast becomes accessible to the wider esports community,” said Lars Eble, CTO at BlueBottle. “We were able to invest in long-term product quality… ensuring that our B2C customers receive the same level of reliability previously reserved for large partners.”
Strengthening the European Esports Ecosystem
By providing affordable, automated tools for real-time data visualization—such as dynamic gold graphs, inhibitor timers, and 3D in-world branding—BlueBottle is positioning itself as a core infrastructure provider for the digital media age. The platform allows smaller organizations to monetize their formats more effectively through professional-looking sponsor placements and deeper viewer engagement.
The post BlueBottle Launches “League Broadcast” SaaS for Streamlined Esports Production appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Booming Games7 days agoBooming Games and Live Play Mobile Launch “LivePlay™ Slots” with Exclusive Modo Debut
-
Affiliate Events7 days ago
Taking Off with N1 Partners at iGB Affiliate 2026 in Barcelona: Grand Final and a Helicopter for the N1 Puzzle Promo Winner
-
Affiliate Management7 days agoN1 Faces: Daria Maichuk — “Communication as the Key to Strong, Effective Partnerships in Affiliate Marketing”
-
Affiliate Management7 days ago
N1 Faces: Daria Maichuk — “Communication as the Key to Strong, Effective Partnerships in Affiliate Marketing”
-
Affiliate Events7 days ago
Taking Off with N1 Partners at iGB Affiliate 2026 in Barcelona: Grand Final and a Helicopter for the N1 Puzzle Promo Winner
-
Global Expansion7 days ago
ProgressPlay Unveils Dual-Engine Strategy for 2026: Empowering Partners via Standalone and Sweepstakes Solutions
-
Carl Gatt Baldacchino Head of Account Management SlotMatrix4 days ago
SlotMatrix revives classic slot action with Crazy 777 U.S launch
-
AI in iGaming7 days ago
BetConstruct AI Hosting “Harmony Choice 2026”: The Strategic Prelude to ICE Barcelona
