eSports

Full team line-ups and event details announced for 2021 F1® Esports Series Pro Championship presented by Aramco

Published

5 years ago

September 16, 2021

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Ahead of the highly anticipated 2021 F1^® Esports Series Pro Championship presented by Aramco, which begins next month, the full driver line-ups and event details were announced in Wednesday’s Preview Show, as teams’ get set to battle it out once again for a piece of the huge $750,000 prize pot – one of the biggest in Esports.

F1^® Esports Series’ flagship competition continues to exceed expectation and shatter records along the way with last year’s Pro Series, as it was then called, achieving 10.6m views across TV & digital, as well as a record 291m social impressions and 23.8m video views throughout the campaign. The ever-rising popularity of the competition was even more evident as nearly half a million people attempted to qualify for this year’s championship, an increase of 108% from 2020.

As per the 2020 competition, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, drivers will continue to race from team factories or bespoke Esports facilities, or their own homes, whilst broadcasts will be filmed from the Gfinity Arena in London. Drivers will compete on the official F1^® 2021 video game, developed by Codemasters and EA.

Aramco return as the presenting partner of the Pro Championship for a second year, and long-term partners DHL and Fanatec also continue to be a key part of the F1^® Esports Series. Fanatec will supply hardware to all drivers for this year’s campaign, as it had done since 2018, while three new drivers will compete in the 2021 season after qualifying through the DHL Time-Trial qualification route, including prominent sim-racer Sebastian Job, who joins Alpha Tauri.

HUGE MOVES ACROSS THE GRID

Since last year’s Championship wrapped up in December, there have been a number of high-profile moves around the grid as two world champions switched allegiances in the off-season. Reigning champion Jarno Opmeer, who secured his first title with Alfa Romeo, has joined Mercedes, filling the spot left by Brendon Leigh. Two-time world champion Leigh, who has been recruited by the FDA, joins the only other drivers champion, David Tonizza.

Reigning teams’ champions Red Bull have retained duo Marcel Kiefer and Frederik Rasmussen, who will both be in contention for a shot at this year’s individual honour, whilst Opmeer’s teammate Dani Bereznay, who helped Alfa Romeo to a second-place finish in the teams’ championship has joined McLaren as they prepare for the new season with a completely new three-driver roster, with last year’s ‘Rookie of the Year’ Dani Moreno also heading to Mercedes.

There will be ten new drivers on this year’s driver line-up, with a third of the grid having been scouted through this year’s Pro Exhibition after qualifying via one of F1^® Esports Series’ qualification routes.

Team	Number	Driver	Nationality	D.O.B
Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN F1 Esports	30	Simon Weigang	German	28/10/1997
	38	Filip Prešnajder	Slovakian	27/11/2002
	73	Thijmen Schütte	Dutch	25/08/2004
Scuderia AlphaTauri Esports Team	51	Joni Törmälä	Finnish	15/08/1996
	13	Sebastian Job	British	22/03/2000
	28	Dario Iemmulo	Italian	28/01/2003
Alpine Esports Team	40	Nicolas Longuet	French	06/08/2002
	8	Fabrizio Donoso	Chilean	19/06/1999
	80	Patrik Sipos	Hungarian	30/04/2003
Aston Martin Cognizant Esports Team	88	Lucas Blakely	British	15/07/2001
	92	Daniele Haddad	Italian	12/08/1992
	79	Shanaka Clay	British	04/02/1999
FDA Esports Team	95	David Tonizza	Italian	14/01/2002
	72	Brendon Leigh	British	07/08/1999
	29	Domenico Lovece	Italian	29/06/2001
Uralkali Haas F1 Team Esports	2	Cedric Thomé	German	26/02/1998
	15	Samuel Libeert	French	12/11/1992
	48	Matthjs van Erven	Dutch	03/03/2003
McLaren Shadow	12	Daniel Bereznay	Hungarian	28/05/2000
	20	Bardia Boroumand	Iranian	17/04/2003
	52	Josh Idowu	British	10/02/2003
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports Team	34	Jarno Opmeer	Dutch	11/04/2000
	26	Dani Moreno	Spanish	09/01/2001
	94	Bono Huis	Dutch	04/12/1994
Red Bull Racing Esports	24	Marcel Kiefer	German	24/08/1998
	19	Frederik Rasmussen	Danish	18/06/2000
	59	Liam Parnell	German	05/09/2002
Williams Esports	21	Álvaro Carretón	Spanish	21/07/2001
	53	Michael Romanidis	Greek	07/09/2003
	23	Alessio Di Capua	Italian	10/04/2002

TWO CIRCUIT DEBUTS, AND OLD FAVOURITES RETURN

This year’s campaign, the fifth season of the competition, will begin on Wednesday 13 October with the first two races of Event 1, as drivers’ replicate the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship by starting off at the Bahrain International Circuit. Whilst the real-world F1^® drivers couldn’t travel to China this year, the Shanghai International Circuit will be brought to life virtually, before the always popular Red Bull Ring rounds off the season-opening Event on the following day.

While most of the chosen venues remain the same as last year, including Zandvoort where F1^® returned earlier this month, there are three new tracks for drivers to get to grips with this season. The ‘rollercoaster’ in Portimão makes its debut in the Pro Championships, as does Imola, whilst the Circuit of the Americas returns to the calendar. As has been the case for the past two campaigns, the season finale will see competitors battle it out at Interlagos.

Event #	Date	Round #	Circuit
Event 1	13-14 October	Round 1	Sakhir, Bahrain
		Round 2	Shanghai, China
		Round 3	Spielberg, Austria
Event 2	27-28 October	Round 4	Silverstone, Great Britain
		Round 5	Monza, Italy
		Round 6	Spa, Belgium
Event 3	24-25 November	Round 7	Portimão, Portugal
		Round 8	Zandvoort, Netherlands
		Round 9	Austin, USA
Event 4	15-16 December	Round 10	Imola, Italy
		Round 11	Mexico City, Mexico
		Round 12	Interlagos, Brazil

EIGHT LIVE SHOWS ACROSS THE SEASON

F1^® Esports fans will be happy to hear that following the increased coverage of last year’s Pro Series, the format will remain the same for 2021, where there will be live racing on Wednesday and Thursday of each Event week, as well as livestreamed qualifying sessions on both days. The Pro Championship will be broadcast on the official F1^® social channels (Facebook, YouTube, Twitch and Huya), as well as select TV broadcast partners.

Ben Pincus, Director of Commercial Partnerships at Formula 1^®, said:

“There’s huge excitement building ahead of the new season of the F1 Esports Series Pro Championship, and we can’t wait to get started, and with so many big moves around the grid, this year’s title really is anyone’s for the taking! As always, we want to thank our partners Aramco, DHL and Fanatec for their continued support which enables us to bring elite sim-racing to fans around the world.”

Paul Jeal, F1 Senior Franchise Director at Codemasters, said:

“The 2021 F1 Esports Series Pro Championship promises to be the most exciting and unpredictable season to date. There have been some exciting driver moves with former double F1 Esports Champion Brendon Leigh joining another ex-champion David Tonizza at Ferrari, and our current F1 Esports Champion Jarno Opmeer moving to Mercedes. We also welcome new exciting talent from the Challengers, and it will be fascinating to see how Alessio Di Capua and Josh Idowu compete on the biggest stage. On behalf of the F1 team at Codemasters and all our players worldwide, good luck to the 2021 drivers. Let the racing begin.”

John Clarke, CEO at Gfinity, said:

“Anticipation is building for the new season of the F1 Esports Series Pro Championship presented by Aramco. It has become a must watch competition for both existing, and an ever-growing army of new, virtual racing fans. The bar is raised each year with new talent emerging and spectacular racing. The Gfinity production team will also be raising the bar with more storytelling and high-octane coverage of the races. It’s time to sit back and enjoy the show!”

eSports

Esports World Cup Takes Over Paris For 2026 with Star-Studded Opening Ceremony

Published

9 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-world-cup-takes-over-paris-for-2026-with-star-studded-opening-ceremony

The Esports World Cup 2026 officially kicked off in Paris, France, with a grand Opening Ceremony at La Seine Musicale, welcoming the world’s best players, leading esports Clubs, publishers, partners, creators and fans to the first international edition of the world’s largest esports and gaming event.

Combining music, cinematic storytelling, competition and Parisian culture, the ceremony marked the beginning of seven weeks of competition that will bring together more than 2,000 players, 200 clubs, and representatives from over 100 countries competing across 25 tournaments in 24 games for a record-breaking $75 million prize pool.

From the first moments of the show, the ceremony celebrated the journey that brings players to the Esports World Cup 2026 while introducing Paris as the host city for a new chapter in the competition’s history. Live performances from Aya Nakamura, Theodora, DJ Snake and Mosimann were woven throughout a production that combined orchestral music, dance, augmented reality, large-scale stage design and cinematic visuals to connect esports with the culture of its host city.

One of the defining moments of the evening saw the Esports World Cup Club Championship trophy revealed before representatives from the world’s leading esports Clubs took to the stage, signalling the start of the race to become the world’s best.

The evening opened with an esports-focused pre-show hosted by Doigby before transitioning into the Opening Ceremony, which was designed for both the live audience at La Seine Musicale and millions watching around the world. DJ Snake closed the global broadcast before continuing with an extended live performance, followed by a closing set from Mosimann for the audience in Paris.

“The Opening Ceremony is our welcome to the world – that our historic event is open,” said Mike McCabe, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer at the Esports Foundation. “As we bring EWC 2026 to Paris for the first time, we wanted to celebrate the city through artists who have helped shape music and culture in France today. Aya Nakamura, DJ Snake, and Theodora each represent something different, but together they reflect the creativity and influence that make Paris such a special place to host this event.”

Known for building a sizable global following through her distinctive combination of R&B, Afrobeats, zouk, and contemporary French pop, Aya Nakamura showcased to the crowd a stunning performance that embodied the wide-reaching spirit of the Esports World Cup.

As France’s top export artist and a dominant force on the global music scene, multi-platinum superstar Aya Nakamura boasts over 9 billion streams and countless charts. She delivered a stunning performance of her global hit “Copines” that perfectly embodied the wide-reaching spirit of the Esports World Cup.

Emerging from the Paris underground electronic scene to working with the biggest names in music such as Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Pitbull, DJ Snake has evolved to become one of the pioneers of modern global record production.

France’s rising star Theodora, or ‘Miss Kitoko’ now, has emerged as one of the country’s breakout artists of a new generation. With millions of streams on her music, she blends rap, pop, and club music with the sensibilities of an always-online generation, harnessing a digital-native and fearless ambition that shines through her performances.

DJ, record producer, and live artist Mosimann is one of the hottest names in electronic music right now, and the Swiss-born French national delivered a thrilling closing set for the live crowd in Paris. His viral Dream Track series has seen over 280 million views worldwide and has evolved into a string of official releases and his own Dream Tour. With a debut residency in Ibiza this summer, along with sets at Tomorrowland later this month in Belgium, Mosimann brought an electrifying finish to the Opening Ceremony.

Throughout the ceremony, audiences also heard the EWC 2026 Orchestral Anthem, created in collaboration with 2WEI Music and Hollywood Scoring. Written as the musical identity of this year’s tournament, the anthem accompanies the journey of players and fans throughout the competition, from qualification to championship, and features throughout the Opening Ceremony and tournament broadcast.

With the opening ceremony now complete, the world’s attention now turns to the competition at the heart of the EWC. Fixtures featuring the world’s best players in the biggest competitive titles will unfold daily across multiple arenas throughout the French capital. Clubs compete for the ultimate prize in all of esports: the Esports World Cup Club Championship.

The post Esports World Cup Takes Over Paris For 2026 with Star-Studded Opening Ceremony appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

eSports

Esports World Cup 2026 opens in Paris with $75m prize pool

Published

2 days ago

July 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-world-cup-2026-opens-in-paris-with-$75m-prize-pool

Seven-week event runs through August 23 with 2,000 players, 200 clubs and 25 tournaments across 24 games at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

The Esports Foundation has opened the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris, marking the first international edition of the event. The tournament runs through August 23 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and will feature more than 2,000 players and 200 esports Clubs from over 100 countries competing across 25 tournaments in 24 games for a $75 million prize pool.

Organisers said the Paris finals follow the largest “Road to EWC” qualification programme to date, with more than 1.5 million players participating across 330 qualifying events spanning tournaments, publisher leagues and international circuits.

The opening press conference took place at the Hôtel de Ville with opening remarks by Emmanuel Grégoire, the Mayor of the City of Paris.

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation, said: “Competitive gaming has always had great players, great games and unforgettable champions. The Esports World Cup brings them together in one defining annual stage. For seven weeks in Paris, every title crowns its own winner, but every result also contributes to a bigger race: the Club Championship. That is what makes EWC different. It rewards not only individual brilliance, but the depth, consistency and ambition of an entire Club.”

The Esports Foundation said Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen return as Esports World Cup Global Ambassadors. The event’s Club Championship will distribute $30 million of the overall prize pool, including $7 million for the winning Club, with Team Falcons aiming to defend its title after wins in 2024 and 2025.

On distribution, the organiser said EWC 2026 will be available in 160 countries via more than 100 broadcast and OTT partners, with more than 7,000 hours of live programming planned and coverage in over 40 languages. The Esports Foundation also said it expects up to 5,000 official co-streamers via its Creator Program, which it described as up 42% year-on-year.

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Astana

Astana to host IESF World Esports Championship 2027

Published

1 week ago

July 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

astana-to-host-iesf-world-esports-championship-2027

IESF signs host agreement with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Qazaq Cybersport Federation in Astana.

Astana has been confirmed as the host city for the IESF World Esports Championship 2027 (WEC27), following a host agreement signing ceremony involving the International Esports Federation (IESF), the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Qazaq Cybersport Federation.

IESF said the event is expected to draw participation across more than 150 IESF Member Federations through the qualifiers, with national teams competing via IESF-recognized national member structures.

“WEC27 will be more than a championship. It will be a global celebration of nations, athletes, and the future of esports,” said Vlad Marinescu, President of IESF. “For every player, there is no greater honor than competing under their national flag and officially representing their nation on the world stage. That is what makes the World Esports Championship so powerful and so unique. In 2027, Astana will welcome the world and proudly stand as the Esports Capital in the World of Esports, uniting our Member Federations, athletes, fans, and communities. Kazakhstan has shown remarkable vision, ambition, and commitment, and we are confident that WEC27 will deliver an unforgettable championship and a lasting legacy for the global esports family.”

Yerbol Myrzabosynov, Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, said: “We are honored that the International Esports Federation has entrusted Kazakhstan with hosting the World Esports Championship 2027. This reflects the confidence in our country’s ability to deliver an event of the highest international standard. Hosting WEC27 reinforces our commitment to advancing esports and creating new opportunities for young people through sport, technology, education, and international cooperation. We look forward to welcoming the World of Esports to Astana and showcasing Kazakhstan as a destination capable of delivering world-class international events.”

Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Qazaq Cybersport Federation, added: “We sincerely thank the International Esports Federation for the trust and confidence placed in Kazakhstan to host the World Esports Championship 2027. This is a historic milestone for our esports community and a testament to the progress we have achieved together with our partners. Alongside IESF, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and our national stakeholders, we are committed to delivering an outstanding championship for athletes, fans, and the World of Esports. WEC27 will inspire future generations, accelerate the growth of esports in Kazakhstan, and strengthen our country’s position as a leading esports and digital innovation hub.”

IESF said more details, including schedule, qualification pathway, venues, official titles, ticketing, and the event program, will be announced in the coming months via its official channels.

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