eSports
BLAST PREMIER TEAMS UP WITH STEELSERIES FOR FALL SEASON

BLAST Premier today announced a new partnership with SteelSeries, the worldwide leader in gaming and esports peripherals, for the Counter-Strike tournament organizer’s Fall Season.
The multi-event deal will see SteelSeries further boost BLAST’s growing global portfolio of partnerships. The Danish gaming peripheral manufacturer will collaborate with BLAST on events and brand activations, and engage with BLAST’s community of Counter-Strike fans. Additionally the brand will showcase their industry-leading keyboards, mice, mousepads, including the award-winning Prime Pro Series line of mice that revolutionized gaming mice technology with the first-ever Optical Magnetic switches in esports.
Throughout the Fall 2021 season, SteelSeries will have a presence at the Fall Showdown (October 12-17) and Final (November 24-28), and activate at BLAST Premier’s eagerly anticipated return to arena events at November’s Fall Final in Copenhagen’s iconic Royal Arena – including a number of fan engagement initiatives, giveaways and a designated space at the venue to activate around.
Sharing a passion for innovation and esports with BLAST, SteelSeries has been creating firsts in gaming and esports for 20 years. Celebrating its 20th anniversary as the original esports brand in 2021, SteelSeries has built its name and reputation on challenging the status quo, creating innovative products that push boundaries and professional gaming further, and helping to make gaming more competitive and compelling for viewers and players.
BLAST and SteelSeries first teamed up for the BLAST Pro Series Copenhagen in 2019 and followed this up by partnering at last year’s online Dota 2 tournament Bounty Hunt.
Oliver Clarke, Head of Brand Partnerships at BLAST, said: “It’s a hugely exciting time for BLAST Premier with the start of our Fall Season and the imminent return of fans and arena events ahead of November’s Fall Final in Copenhagen. We’re thrilled to welcome back such a reputable global brand like SteelSeries and have some exciting plans lined up for the partnership during this period.”
“As the original esports brand, we seek to inspire through our innovation and creativity, through our products, and with our partners,” said Tony Trubridge, Global Esports Director at SteelSeries. “There are many synergies between BLAST Premier and SteelSeries and the Fall 2021 season marks the perfect opportunity to collaborate.”
BLAST Premier is a worldwide Counter-Strike tournament series that unites all major events, offers opportunities to all regions across the globe and crowns the world champions of CS:GO. Up to 32 teams will take part in the seven BLAST Premier events over the course of 2021 with a combined prize pool of $2,475,000 on the line.
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Aquisitions/Mergers
The Chiliz Group acquires OG Esports, reuniting with original co-founders to launch new era

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Chiliz Group acquires 51% of OG Esports, investing to grow the team, expand operations, and strengthen fan and player engagement.
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Xavier Oswald, a former co-founder and shareholder of OG, becomes CEO, while OG co-founders Johan “n0tail” Sundstein and Sébastien “Ceb” Debs launch a new strategic project consolidating the team’s competitive foundation.
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Socios.com becomes the exclusive platform for $OG Fan Tokens, $OG will act as the showcase for blockchain-based utility.
The Chiliz Group, the world’s leading blockchain provider for the sports and entertainment industry and operator of Socios.com, today announced it has acquired a 51% controlling stake in OG Esports, one of the most iconic and innovative names in global esports.
Founded in 2015 by legendary Dota 2 players Johan “n0tail” Sundstein and Sébastien “Ceb” Debs, OG is the first team in history to win back-to-back titles at The International. Since then, OG has expanded into Counter-Strike, Honor of Kings and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, building one of the most successful and culturally significant organisations in esports.
OG has a track record of delivering a fan-driven culture through innovation and launched the $OG Fan Token in 2020. The $OG Fan Token recently became the first esports Fan Token to surpass a $100 million market capitalization, driven by surging global demand for digital fan assets. Having delivered exclusive voting rights, VIP experiences, merchandise, and direct access to the team for fans worldwide, $OG represents a thriving $100m+ digital fan economy.
As part of the acquisition, Xavier Oswald will take on the role of CEO of OG, guiding the organisation into its next chapter, while co-founders Johan “n0tail” Sundstein and Sébastien “Ceb” Debs will lead a new strategic project consolidating the team’s competitive foundation, driving innovation at the intersection of esports and Web3.
At the same time, Socios.com will become the exclusive wallet and engagement platform for $OG Fan Tokens, establishing $OG as the flagship example of the new fan economy. The token will now showcase how fan assets can evolve – serving as the blockchain layer for tickets, merchandise, in-stadium perks, and digital content, while also integrating real-world assets and club revenues through mechanisms like buybacks to deliver deeper influence and tangible value to supporters.
Through The Chiliz Group’s global network of more than 80 leading sports properties, OG will now be able to expand into new countries and markets, building a larger international footprint and new commercial opportunities. Backed by the financial strength of a global group, OG will become more resilient and sustainable, ensuring long-term stability while focusing on what matters most: players, fans, and innovation.
More details about the acquisition will be released in the coming weeks.
“OG has always been about community and innovation, and since 2020 it has demonstrated that Fan Tokens can create genuine economic value and meaningful engagement,” said Alex Dreyfus, CEO and Founder of Chiliz. “With a $100 million fan token economy already established, OG represents the perfect case study for what’s truly possible when we place Fan Tokens at the centre of the fan economy. This acquisition allows us to showcase the next evolution – Fan Tokens 2.0.”
“This marks the start of a bold new era for OG,” said Xavier Oswald, incoming CEO of OG. “With Chiliz as our majority partner, we can scale our teams, grow our global community, and unlock a new dimension of engagement through the $OG Fan Token. We’ve always believed that fans should be at the centre of everything we do, and now we have the tools and the backing to make that vision a reality.”
“With Chiliz, we share a common vision based on strong values: passion, transparency, and the power of communities.” said Johan “N0tail” Sundstein, co-founder and historic figure of OG Esports. “From winning back-to-back Internationals to competing against OpenAI Five in a world-first showcase of human-AI collaboration, OG has always been about pushing boundaries. This alliance will allow us to stay true to our identity while continuing to grow.”
“This agreement marks the beginning of a new competitive cycle,’ added Sébastien “Ceb” Debs, two-time world champion with OG. “We want to once again become a major force on the international stage and inspire a new generation of players and fans. With the support of Chiliz, we now have the means to build an ambitious and sustainable project.”
The post The Chiliz Group acquires OG Esports, reuniting with original co-founders to launch new era appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
Global Esports Federation Launches its Innovation & Research Centre in Athens

The Global Esports Federation has launched its Innovation & Research Centre (IRC) in Athens, Greece, in collaboration with Socialinnov, a non-profit organisation dedicated to digital empowerment and social entrepreneurship.
The GEF Innovation & Research Centres are envisioned as collaborative spaces where technology, creativity and innovation converge to unlock human potential in the digital era. They will anchor forward-looking programmes that connect esports with education, wellness and opportunities in adjacent industries.
The Athens IRC anchors this global network, strengthening local ecosystems, enabling cooperation across regions and expanding opportunities in esports, gaming, technology and entertainment.
Thanos Karagrounas, GEF Chief Impact Officer, said: “The launch of our Innovation & Research Center in Athens is a milestone in the GEF’s journey to shape an inclusive and impactful future for esports. By combining Socialinnov’s deep expertise in digital empowerment with the GEF’s international network, we will unlock new opportunities for innovation, education, and investment – with people at the center of everything we do.”
“We are proud to partner with the Global Esports Federation to bring the GEF Innovation & Research Center to Athens. This collaboration reflects our mission to empower individuals and communities with the skills and tools needed to thrive in the digital age. Together, we will cultivate new pathways for youth, educators, and entrepreneurs to engage with technology, esports, and innovation on a global scale,” said Stella Psarrou, Director, Socialinnov.
Leveraging Greece’s growing digital ecosystem and Socialinnov’s expertise in education, youth empowerment and SME support, the Athens IRC will serve as a platform to develop strategies, programmes and investment opportunities focused on responsible gaming, holistic wellness and sustainable career pathways in esports and beyond.
The post Global Esports Federation Launches its Innovation & Research Centre in Athens appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
EEF Strengthens Ties with Paralympic Leaders

The European Esports Federation (EEF) has strengthened its ties with the Paralympic leaders. On September 2, EEF Secretary General Łukasz Klimczyk and Board Member Karol Cagan, held a meeting with Mr. Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and Mr. Tomas Varga, Executive Committee member at the European Paralympic Committee (EPC). The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Slovak Olympic Committee, following official celebration of 30th anniversary of the Slovak Paralympic Committee.
Discussions focused on exploring opportunities for closer cooperation between EEF, IPC and EPC, particularly in the areas of competition, prevention and educational initiatives. EEF remains committed to strengthening partnerships that support the values of inclusion, fair play and the development of parasport across Europe.
Importantly, esports offers unique opportunities for athletes with disabilities by removing many of the physical barriers present in traditional sports. With accessible technologies and adaptive solutions, esports can provide a level playing field where performance depends primarily on skill, strategy and teamwork.
The post EEF Strengthens Ties with Paralympic Leaders appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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