eSports

WePlay Esports and top CS:GO teams unite for WePlay Academy League

Published

5 years ago

July 7, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The WePlay Esports media holding company and leading world Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) organizations have announced the WePlay Academy League. The new circuit is aiming to shape the standards for the CS:GO industry in fostering new talents.

With the support of top CS:GO teams, the up-and-coming players will have an opportunity to get closer to the professional esports scene and gain first-hand competitive experience.

The WePlay Academy League Season 1 begins with an online round-robin Group Stage, where the teams meet each other twice. The three strongest teams advance to the double-elimination Playoffs that will take place at the WePlay Esports Arena Kyiv. The team that takes eighth place is eliminated. The remaining four enter the Gauntlet stage to fight for the remaining slot in the Playoffs. The total prize pool of the CS:GO league Season 1 is $100,000.

To participate in the tournament, the players and teams must fit a list of requirements. Each team will consist of at least four players aged between 16 and 20.

Participating teams:

NAVI Junior
Young Ninjas
mouz NXT
BIG. OMEN Academy
Astralis Talent
VP.Prodigy
Fnatic Rising
FURIA Academy

Event schedule:

Group Stage — July 19 – August 01, 2021 (possible tie-breaker matches will take place on August 03)
Gauntlet Stage — August 07–08, 2021
Playoffs — August 27–29, 2021

“The WePlay Academy League is a perfect breeding ground for daring CS:GO talent who are willing to challenge the status quo. With the new regular event circuit, the up-and-comers will be able to hone their skill and potentially get picked for the main roster. Many future CS:GO world champions will look back at the WePlay Academy League as the first event in which they got real on-stage experience,” says Eugene Shepelev, lead esports manager at WePlay Esports.

“The WePlay Academy League will give us the opportunity to not only match our talent players with those of the other big esports organizations but also to share thoughts and ideas between some of the most experienced academy teams. Since day one, everything we have worked with in Astralis has been about developing our players and teams while also pushing some of the borders in esports. This move is yet another step on a new path which we hope and believe will benefit not only the players, teams, and participating organizations but also the talent scene in general,” says Kasper Hvidt, director of sports, Astralis.

“The league provides an excellent platform for the young prodigies to show themselves, competing against their counterparts from other clubs. There’s also the process of getting ready to play against certain opponents and the long-term planning of roster changes for playing certain roles. There will be media days and interviews, the players will develop as individuals. In general, there will be everything that’s already present in Tier 1 CS:GO, everything you need to get used to at the very early stages of your career as a pro gamer. This project will boost the development of youth teams of the world’s best clubs. NAVI and the other top teams will surely be interested, as it will provide more opportunities for young talents to get the necessary support and do what they love. It will also offer an exciting story for the audience, who will be able to watch the players’ progress from the very beginning and watch how ordinary kids go all the way, finally getting into the main rosters of their clubs, and go on to win the world’s largest events,” says Aleksey Kucherov, Natus Vincere CОO.

Brazil

Esportes Gaming Brasil exec calls for ‘responsible sponsorship’ at BiS Brasília

Published

2 days ago

June 4, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

esportes-gaming-brasil-exec-calls-for-‘responsible-sponsorship’-at-bis-brasilia

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

Published

3 days ago

June 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

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.

Belgium

Epic Games and BLAST bring 2026 Fortnite Global Championship to Antwerp

Published

4 days ago

June 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

epic-games-and-blast-bring-2026-fortnite-global-championship-to-antwerp

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.