eSports

Global Esports Federation Board Marks 18 Months of Expansive Growth

Published

5 years ago

June 29, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Global Esports Federation held the 4th Board Meeting on June 16, 2021, marking 18 months of expansive growth. The GEF reaffirmed its commitment to advance the universal values of equality, diversity, inclusion, fair play, and innovation, and will continue to elevate and expand opportunities in esports worldwide.

“Together with our 93 Member Federations, we have accomplished so much. We look to the future with real optimism as we continue to expand and develop tangible initiatives in service to the esports community. We have announced three Global Esports Games, the first slated for December this year. We continue to welcome even more partners and Member Federations into the Global Esports Federation family; promoting a safe, inclusive and healthy esports ecosystem for all.” ~ Chris Chan, President, Global Esports Federation

Paul J. Foster, Chief Executive Officer, Global Esports Federation, recounted 18 months of progress, and outlined the pathway for continued growth at the Board Meeting. He remarked, “The Global Esports Federation was established to enhance the credibility, legitimacy and prestige for esports. We convene the world’s communities in esports, active esports, digital technologies, standards, education, and wellness. Through our various Global Social Impact Initiatives (GSII), we unlock the boundless opportunities for every single person, everywhere, to be part of the dynamic future of esports in a #worldconnected.”

In accordance with the GEF Constitution, the Board Meeting commenced with electing the Chair of the Singapore 2021 Global Esports Games Organizing Committee, Her Excellency Ng Shin Ein, who is Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary, as a GEF Board Member. With the appointment of Ms. Ng, the representation of women in the GEF rises to 35%, up from 11% just 18 months ago. The GEF continues to lead in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in esports globally, through the hosting of the first #worldconnected_women Global Forum last month, led by GEF Vice-President and Olympian, Charmaine Crooks.

“The Board is made up of diverse and distinguished leaders, and it’s my privilege to be a part of this team. The Singapore 2021 Global Esports Games will be a pioneering endeavor. With the support of the Global Esports Federation and my colleagues in the Organizing Committee, I look forward to delivering a groundbreaking event come December.” ~ Ng Shin Ein

The inaugural GEG will showcase the energy of esports through competitions and a dynamic program of activities, including GEFestival – a platform to celebrate the inclusive esports culture encompassing music, art, technology, fashion, food, the creative and passion economies and industries. Meanwhile, the first ever Annual #worldconnected Awards will recognize various accomplishments within the world’s esports community.

The GEF Board approved the continued expansion of the Global Events Portfolio. The GEF will call for expressions of interest to host the next collective of the Global Esports Games.

In a move to further engage directly with the fans and esports community worldwide, the GEF recently opened its first ever online lifestyle store in collaboration with LA-based Meta Threads. The store features lifestyle gaming and esports apparel and accessories designed for the #worldconnected community.

eSports

Esports Awards adds player-voted EWC Players’ Choice Award, extends Esports Foundation deal

Published

2 days ago

June 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-awards-adds-player-voted-ewc-players’-choice-award,-extends-esports-foundation-deal

The Esports Awards and the Esports Foundation (EF) on June 18, 2026, announced a three-year extension of their partnership through 2028 and introduced a new player-voted honor, the EWC Players’ Choice Award. The announcement was made in London, with voting tied to Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 in Paris.

The EWC Players’ Choice Award will be decided exclusively by professional esports players. According to the announcement, competitors attending EWC 2026 will vote in person, while a secure digital voting platform hosted by the Esports Awards will allow participation from additional eligible players and clubs.

Eligibility requires players to have competed in at least one qualifying S, A or B-Tier tournament during the official competitive season. Players will not be able to vote for themselves or teammates, with the Esports Awards overseeing the process.

“The talent and innovation of our sector should be getting the exposure it deserves.,” said Michael Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards. “The Esports Foundation has done an incredible job in generating mainstream attention, and industry exposure outside of the standard circuit. Our partnership has enabled us to expand our operations and footprint and it’s through our continued collaboration that I hope we can bring the Esports Awards to the global community, and provide the industry with better visibility all year round.”

The Esports Awards also confirmed its 2026 ceremony will take place in the United States, starting what it described as a rotating host city model featuring “previously unvisited destinations.” The event previously staged its 2024 awards ceremony and the 2025 Decade Awards in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as part of the Esports World Cup program.

EWC 2026 is scheduled for Paris from July 06 through August 23, 2026, with more than 2,000 players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries set to compete in 25 tournaments across 24 games. Voting for the EWC Players’ Choice Award will run from July 1 through August 18, 2026, with the winner to be revealed during the Esports Awards ceremony later this year. The Esports Awards said additional details about its 2026 event will be announced in the coming weeks.

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chess

ENC 2026 chess qualifiers wrap as 82 nations and territories make the field

Published

3 days ago

June 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

enc-2026-chess-qualifiers-wrap-as-82-nations-and-territories-make-the-field

The Esports Foundation (EF) has completed the online regional qualifiers for the Chess tournament at the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), scheduled to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2-29, 2026.

EF said the 128-player chess field is now largely set. 64 players from 64 countries and territories received direct invitations via official Champions Chess Tour (CCT) rankings at the end of May, while 61 players qualified through online regional events operated by Chess.com across North America, South America, Africa, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East/India/Central Asia, and East Asia/Southeast Asia/Oceania.

A further slot was awarded to Amani Alazmi (Kuwait) via the Host Region Wildcard as the next highest-placing competitor from the host region. Two Wildcard Solidarity slots for underrepresented regions remain and will be announced at the end of August after all ENC qualifiers are completed. With qualifiers concluded, EF said at least 82 countries and territories will be represented in chess at ENC 2026.

EF highlighted that Jamaica, Paraguay, Singapore, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tunisia, and Turkmenistan each secured two qualifying slots despite not receiving a direct invitation. Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador, Venezuela, Morocco, Nigeria, Algeria, Jordan, Australia, and New Zealand secured one slot each.

The chess competition runs November 2-8. EF said the event will open with a round-robin group stage featuring 16 groups of eight players, before moving to a 64-player single-elimination playoff bracket. The full list of qualified players and nations is available on the ENC website’s chess page.

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1xBet

HLTV Awards returns to Belgrade on January 9, 2027, adding Lifetime Achievement honor

Published

4 days ago

June 17, 2026

Wladimir P.

hltv-awards-returns-to-belgrade-on-january-9,-2027,-adding-lifetime-achievement-honor

HLTV will stage the HLTV Awards presented by 1xBet in Belgrade, Serbia on January 9, 2027, returning to the Sava Center. The company said more than 1,000 players, industry professionals, creators, and fans are expected to attend.

HLTV also confirmed Dust2 creator David Johnston will feature as an award announcer. HLTV linked the booking to the 25th anniversary of Dust2.

For 2026, HLTV is updating its Hall of Fame process and eligibility rules. Four players will be inducted again, with “at least two and up to three” slots reserved for players from the Counter-Strike 1.6 and early eras. HLTV also removed the former “neo rule,” allowing players to be inducted for their playing careers even if they remain active in other roles such as coaching.

HLTV is adding a Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be decided by the Hall of Fame Board. The ceremony will also move Community Awards onto the main stage show for the first time, rather than the pre-show segment.

Separately, HLTV will kick off the 2027 Awards season with an invite-only “HLTV Awards by 1xBet Launch Party x GRID” in Cologne during the Major. HLTV said industry members can apply for an invite to the ceremony via its awards page.

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