eSports
YAS HEAT ESPORTS kicks off Endurance Cup by Thrustmaster title defence with hard-fought podium
Reigning champions YAS HEAT powered by Richard Mille dominated proceedings in season two and returned to the fold with one thing on their mind – retaining the title. The team comprised top-tier talent from across YAS HEAT’s Assetto Corsa talent pool, including Eamonn Murphy, Mikhail Statsenko and Andrea Capoccia.
The second car – YAS Community – was led by Jaroslav Honzik or ‘Jardier’ and fielded a squad of YAS HEAT fans as the team repaid the dedication shown by their loyal followers, enabling them to race in a professional esports competition.
It was a dream start to the season for the Abu-Dhabi based team as they put it on pole position for the first race of the season. A tense opening stint saw the top three cars separated by mere tenths from the outset, with YAS HEAT leading the charge.
As the initial pit stops loomed, the Odox Motorsport #122 car made its move, relegating YAS HEAT to second place. Before Statsenko was able to respond, contact with the third place Griphax Engineering car and the subsequent time lost saw the Abu-Dhabi squad drop out of contention for the lead, despite second place being conceded by Griphax Engineering shortly after.
From that point on, the damage was done and the lead remained out of reach as the gap ebbed and flowed between five and ten seconds for the remaining stints. The team crossed the line to claim the runner-up spot but left the Hungaroring knowing they were denied a chance to fight for victory.
Eamonn Murphy, Assetto Corsa Driver, YAS HEAT ESPORTS said:
“On the day at Hungaroring, we extracted the most out of the 488 EVO, especially with 50kg ballast. The Audi unfortunately, over a full stint, just seemed to have the edge on pace, but, unfortunately for our rivals, this only makes us push harder to find even more time.
“As a team I feel we have progressed even more than last season with better communication before, during and after races, thus increasing levels of preparation for the next time we hit the track. Every mistake or downfall is analysed and worked upon. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!
“Our ambitions are the same as when we first started out together, championship titles are the main goal… YAS isn’t here to take part, we’re here to take over.”
YAS HEAT Community meanwhile were running well in fifth place – on merit – before a collision ahead spelt disaster for a number of cars and sent the squad tumbling down the order, eventually finishing P14.
Next up on the Endurance Cup calendar is a six-hour race at the iconic Italian circuit of Monza (29 May, 11:00am BST) and can be watched live on The Sim Grid’s YouTube channel.
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Esportes Gaming Brasil director Hugo Baungartner used a panel appearance at BiS Brasília (Brazilian iGaming Summit) to argue that sports and cultural sponsorships should be measured by their long-term impact, not just brand visibility. Baungartner spoke during the session “A Importância dos Patrocínios e das Leis de Incentivo para a Sustentabilidade do Esporte e da Cultura.”
During the debate, Baungartner said sector maturity requires a long-term approach that turns sponsorships into platforms for relationship-building and local ecosystem development, connecting with fans, consumers and communities.
He highlighted the group’s sports partnerships with Corinthians, Ceará, Náutico and Ferroviária, as well as support for Brazilian cultural events including Carnaval, São João and the Festival de Parintins. Baungartner said major events can move entire supply chains by boosting tourism, commerce and job opportunities, and pointed to the importance of working with local suppliers and professionals in Parintins to expand the positive impacts of sponsorship spending.
Baungartner also addressed challenges in Brazil’s regulated betting market, saying consolidation depends on governance, integrity and consumer protection, alongside efforts to combat illegal operators. He said advances in provider regulation and stronger financial traceability mechanisms are important steps to limit unauthorized activity and improve user security.
“Patrocínio responsável é aquele que cria conexão real com o público e deixa legado no território. No esporte e na cultura, isso significa investir com governança, transparência e propósito, fortalecendo um ecossistema que gera renda, emprego e oportunidades”, afirmou.
The post Esportes Gaming Brasil exec calls for ‘responsible sponsorship’ at BiS Brasília appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
eSports
Team Vitality and Fulllife Unveil a New FPS Jersey for the Valorant Masters London and IEM Cologne Major 2026
Team Vitality has unveiled its new “FPS Jersey,” specially designed for IEM Cologne 2026 and the VALORANT Masters 2026 in collaboration with its apparel partner Fulllife. Conceived as a strong symbol of ambition, performance and legacy, the jersey features an exclusive central crest and introduces a bold visual evolution for the club.
After making history on Counter-Strike, Team Vitality is celebrating its FPS DNA through a jersey dedicated to its two flagship titles. Through this initiative, the club reinforces its ambition to leave a lasting mark on the world’s biggest FPS stages and establish this jersey as a new benchmark within the esports industry.
AN EXCEPTIONAL JERSEY FOR A HISTORIC MOMENT
For this new release, Team Vitality embraces a completely new visual approach. For the first time in the club’s history, purple is introduced alongside its iconic yellow and black colours, in line with the organisation’s new 2026 artistic direction. This bold creative choice allows the jersey to stand out within the esports landscape while surprising and exciting fans.
The symbol featured on the front of the jersey reinterprets an iconic part of the club’s logo: the “V” combined with the lower section of the bee’s body. This graphic element, called the “Mini Bee,” is integrated throughout the jersey’s design to symbolise the swarm — representing collective strength, the identity of the Hive and the power of the Team Vitality community.
Fulllife has brought its technical expertise to a piece designed both for competition and for the fans in the stands. Every detail reflects the club’s continued rise on the international stage and its ambition to leave a lasting legacy in esports. The accompanying apparel collection also incorporates the same colour palette and includes lifestyle pieces designed for everyday wear.
“We are extremely proud of this new FPS-focused marketing campaign — a true love letter to Counter-Strike and VALORANT. An exclusive jersey, a dedicated fan zone, and numerous activations created hand in hand with our partners for our fans… We are ready for two major international events, with the clear ambition of continuing to establish Team Vitality among the best esports clubs in the world,” said Amélie Canet, Chief Marketing Officer.
PERFORMANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY
The FPS Jersey is manufactured in Portugal using NanoMatter, a technical fabric made from 100% recycled polyester and specifically developed for competitive players. Ultra-comfortable, lightweight and breathable, it is designed to perform under the most demanding conditions.
Each order is delivered in Fulllife’s iconic Capsule packaging, redesigned in Team Vitality’s colors, FSC-certified and accompanied by 100% recycled and recyclable polybags.
“This jersey is one of the boldest pieces we have ever produced. Our role was to bring a strong creative vision to life using the best materials and manufacturing processes available, delivering a product that truly reflects Team Vitality’s ambitions on the international stage,” said Maxime Baziadoly, General Manager of Fulllife.
The post Team Vitality and Fulllife Unveil a New FPS Jersey for the Valorant Masters London and IEM Cologne Major 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Epic Games and BLAST will host the 2026 Fortnite Global Championship in Antwerp, Belgium, on September 26-27, marking the FNCS season finale at Lotto Arena.
Epic and BLAST said the event brings the Fortnite competitive circuit and BLAST to Antwerp for the first time. The announcement was made at the Fortnite Major 1 Summit in Düsseldorf, Germany.
A $2,000,000 USD prize pool will be at stake, alongside the FNCS Global Championship trophy crafted by silverware artisan Thomas Lyte.
Epic and BLAST positioned Antwerp—located in the Benelux region—as a travel-friendly destination for fans coming from Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Germany. Ticket information is available via the venue listing.
The post Epic Games and BLAST bring 2026 Fortnite Global Championship to Antwerp appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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