eSports
Jarno Opmeer and Mercedes lead F1 Esports Series Pro Championship presented by Aramco after dramatic Event 1
The 2021 F1 Esports Series Pro Championship presented by Aramco got underway with an thrilling Event 1 this week, where Jarno Opmeer and Mercedes took an early lead in the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships respectively, but with eight different podium finishers in the first three races, the huge $750,000 prize pot is all to play for.
The return of the Pro Championship was more anticipated than ever before following record-breaking viewership last year, the highest ever participation numbers of fans attempting to qualify, as well as several huge moves around the grid with a number of F1 Esports’ biggest names switching allegiances in the off-season.
Much like the 2020 season, drivers are continuing to race remotely from their homes or team facilities, but the hugely popular competition continues to broadcast from the Gfinity Esports Arena in London, with live shows fronted by familiar faces: Natalie Pinkham, Tom Deacon and Nic Hamilton. Following the same Event format as recent campaigns, teams battle it out on the official F1 2021 video game, developed by Codemasters, in two races on a Wednesday, and one on a Thursday, across four broadcasts, which also features qualifiying.
In the first of Wednesday’s two races, the virtual world mirrored reality as the season opener took place at the Sakhir International Circuit, Bahrain, and it was Britain’s Lucas Blakeley who took his maiden win in a historic moment, becoming the first winner for the Aston Martin Cognizant Esports team. Blakeley started in P2 behind Nicolas Longuet but passed him going into the first corner and didn’t relinquish top spot until the final few laps when the lead changed hands several times between the pair, thanks to brave racing and the use of DRS, before the Aston Martin man timed his last attack to perfection. Alvaro Carretón was with the front two the whole way, ready to pounce on any mistakes, but in the end had to settle for a well-deserved P3 for Williams.
Wednesday’s action continued with a trip to China, and whilst the real-world drivers haven’t raced at the Shanghai International Circuit since the pandemic struck, the popularity of F1, and Esports, continues to flourish, as seen by the success of the F1 Esports Series China Championship. Reigning champion Jarno Opmeer showed his title-winning pedigree with an unbelievable victory, taking a huge risk as the only driver to start the race on intermediates tyres, despite there being torrential rain, after a poor qualifying performance that left him in P14. He fell as far as P18, before the rest of the grid began to pit and switch to the same tyres, allowing him to make his way up the grid. He was soon leading, and despite a brief change of leadership between himself and Fabrizio Donoso, as the Alpine driver became the first switch to softs, Opmeer was able to secure his first win for Mercedes in stunning fashion. Red Bull’s Marcel Kiefer put in an accomplished performance in tricky conditions to get his first podium of the season.
The first Event of the new season was rounded off with a second win for Opmeer at the Red Bull Ring with an emphatic victory as he sent out a message to the rest of the field that he is intent on defending his crown. Frederik Rasmussen, one of last year’s front runners picked up his first podium of the year, ahead of McLaren’s new boy Bardia Boroumand who secured third, and is already living up to the hype around him in the pre-season.
Event 2 will see the drivers battle it out on a trio of iconic ‘old-school’ circuits as the Pro Championship heads to Silverstone, Monza and Spa, in what is set to be an action-packed two days across 27-28 October.
Following Event 1, the official standings are as follows:
Driver standings
Team standings
The live shows are streamed online via official channels of Formula 1 on Facebook, YouTube, Twitch and Huya, as well as broadcast on television via select international broadcast partners.
In the last 18 months, F1 Esports events have achieved over 40 million views across TV and digital, and this popularity led to a record number of people attempting to be a part of this year’s Pro Exhibition, with almost half a million taking part in qualification. This year’s qualification is now open through a challenge in the official F1 2021 video game, with the first event live until 31st October. If you would like to find out more information on how to take part in the F1 Esports Series and for more information on the Pro Championship presented by Aramco, visit www.f1esports.com.
Full race results:
Race 1 – Bahrain
Race 2 – China
Race 3 – Austria
Ben Pincus, Director of Commercial Partnerships at Formula 1®, said:
“It’s great to see the F1 Esports Series Pro Championship presented by Aramco back underway. We’ve been spoilt with excitement in the real-life racing this year and if these first races are anything to go by, we’re in for a treat this season in the virtual world too.”
John Clarke, CEO at Gfinity, said:
“Last year’s record-breaking participation is a testament to Formula 1’s continuous innovation and expansion, bringing more fans than ever into the world of F1 Esports. Off the back of last year’s success, the F1 Esports Series has returned bigger and better than ever, giving Gfinity the opportunity to utilise its tech IP and world-class production to help F1 fans feel ever closer to the series.
Paul Jeal, F1 Senior Franchise Director at Codemasters, said:
“We’re into the fifth year of F1 Esports, and the standard continues to get higher and higher, with some blistering lap times and exciting wheel to wheel racing to open the series. A great display from Jarno Opmeer as he tops the drivers’ championship, and it looks like we could have an incredible battle between a handful of teams for the team championship. Roll on the second show.”
Powered by WPeMatico
The ICE Esports Arena at ICE Barcelona 2025 plays a key role in educating people about esports and how to access, integrate and regulate this growing vertical, says Clarion Gaming’s leader in Emerging Technology and Esports.
“Part of the role of the Esports Arena and The Esports and Games Conference is explaining exactly what esports is,” said Will Harding. “There is still work to be done in helping regulators to better understand esports. That’s why showcasing esports here at ICE is so important – we’re empowering people who are at the forefront of shaping regulatory policy.”
The ICE Esports Arena continues to grow year-on-year, with four world-ranked professional Counter-Strike 2 teams competing live at ICE 2025 for a US$25,000 prize pool. This year’s winners were 500 (Bulgaria: World ranking: 47).
“In terms of attendees, we have a whole spectrum of people here, from those that are still shocked that computer games have anything to do with sports betting to those that have built incredible businesses around esports,” Harding continued.
“There are also a number of visitors who realise that esports is significant for their business in terms of revenue but don’t necessarily know how to access this vertical, and we’re here to guide them toward unlocking its full potential.
“But the one thing which is absolutely certain is that esports betting is here to stay and it’s going to continue to grow”
He also praised headline partners, esports betting experts Oddin.gg, for their contribution in helping explain why esports is such a commercially important vertical for operators.
“Oddin.gg has been an excellent partner in realising the Esports Arena. Holding a professional esports tournament is a big endeavour. As our headline sponsor, Oddin.gg has played a key role in showcasing how the data and the odds work. They have helped complete the education journey,” he affirmed.
Commenting on ICE’s move to Barcelona, Harding highlighted that both the city and the show’s new venue Fira Barcelona Gran Via have extensive experience with esports, providing a perfect location for the ICE Esports Arena’s continuing expansion.
“It’s very established here. You can walk around Barcelona and see large-scale internet cafes catering for esports fans,” he added. “This represents an ideal foundation for the continued growth of the Esports Arena and The Esports and Games Conference in the years ahead.”
The post Shaping the Future of Esports: ICE Esports Arena provides essential insights appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The International Esports Federation (IESF) is thrilled to announce a major milestone as 136 nations have officially registered for the National Qualifiers of the 2025 esports season. This record-breaking level of participation underscores the remarkable growth and global appeal of esports, uniting athletes and fans from every corner of the world under one shared passion.
The National Qualifiers, which commenced on January 15, 2025, mark the start of an exciting journey for millions of athletes. Competing across a diverse range of PC, mobile, and console titles, these athletes are fighting for the opportunity to represent their nations on the largest stage of esports.
Highlighting the significance of this achievement, IESF General Secretary Boban Totovski stated:
“The participation of 136 Member Federations in this year’s National Qualifiers is an extraordinary accomplishment. It reflects the deep passion, dedication, and unity within the global esports community. We eagerly anticipate witnessing the emergence of this year’s national champions and the incredible talent that will define the 2025 season.”
As IESF celebrates its 16-year legacy, the 2025 season is another step forward in showcasing esports as a powerful unifying force. The federation remains committed to supporting the growth of the esports ecosystem, encouraging the next generation of athletes, and celebrating the diversity within the global esports community.
The 2025 season will bring nations together to honor the competitive spirit and creativity of esports. With 136 nations involved, IESF reaffirms its dedication to fostering collaboration, inspiring excellence, and showcasing the exceptional talent of athletes from all over the world.
The journey to an unforgettable year in esports has begun, as IESF continues to bring the world closer through the shared passion for competitive gaming.
The post The World of Esports Unites: 136 Nations Registered for 2025 Season appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
With the start of the year behind, the company reflects on the key milestones.
Business Development
In 2024, the company experienced significant expansion, reflecting the increasing demand for progressive esports betting solutions. The total volume of bets processed grew by 74.2%, aided by the efficiency and dynamic scalability of the company’s trading team, alongside new collaborations from partners and clients. Otto Bonning, Head of Sales, said: “Our new partnerships with companies such as Altenar, NuBet, Airhead Ventures, and TurboStars have significantly strengthened the portfolio. These collaborations demonstrate our expanding influence and commitment to delivering exceptional solutions in the esports betting industry”. Clients also experienced an improvement in GGR, demonstrating the impact of the solutions on profitability.
The company’s user engagement rates also reflected the sizable uplift seen in 2024, with active users rising by 97.3% and average bet size increasing by 7%. Meanwhile, DATA.BET continued to broaden its presence in key markets, including Canada, Brazil, Finland, and Poland, further strengthening its global reach.
Esports Trading and Content Coverage
DATA.BET focused on strategic growth, enhancing its esports content to offer prosperous and dynamic opportunities for clients and their users.
Making focused improvements in popular markets resulted in growth. “We’ve expanded our offerings by adding 38 new markets, creating more opportunities for bettors and driving engagement,” said Thomas Donson, Head of Trading. “Our event coverage has also grown by 11%, adding over 10,000 events to ensure a more diverse and comprehensive experience. Ensuring 24/7 trading process, DATA.BET offers the highest quality market availability.”
The trust earned through high-quality product features, including the new Scoreboard and Pitch Tracker widgets, as well as the Bet Builder based on official data, all launched in 2024, has been instrumental in enhancing the customers betting experience. Scoreboards deliver detailed statistics, interactive visualizations, and comprehensive insights, helping users make informed decisions while boosting engagement through features like live betting, analysis, and availability for LoL, CS2, Valorant, and Dota 2.
Pitch Tracker, supporting our top tier titles, offers a 2D map as a visual representation with advanced tools for data analysis and in-game tracking, delivering detailed insights that enhance user engagement and decision-making. Additionally, the Bet Builder enables personalized betting by allowing users to combine multiple selections into a single wager, meeting the demand for tailored and dynamic betting experiences.
DATA.BET also broadened the scope of disciplines, adding 6 new games, such as Deadlock, Street Fighter 6, GeoGuessr, Teamfight Tactics, Hearthstone, Apex Legends, complementing client content with distinctive choices that amplified diversity and engagement.
Customer Support & Risk Management
The company provides a seamless customer experience and robust Risk Management, continuing to deliver swift and practical assistance.
With an average response time of up to 5 minutes, the dedicated team remains extremely efficient, addressing client concerns promptly while maintaining the highest quality standards. Between Q2 and Q4, handled around 1,500 client requests and completed more than 150 technical tasks effectively and precisely, ensuring high-quality 24/7 support and maintaining consistent service standards.
This is due to our proprietary trading platform that enables the generation and customization of content – specifically, markets – to align precisely with each partner’s distinctive requirements while accommodating their existing settlement rules. This approach ensures a seamless transition to the solution, eliminating the need for adjustments or reconfiguration after working with a previous data provider.
DATA.BET’s Risk Management team efficiently handled over 1,700 client requests. Over time, the number of requests from long-term clients noticeably decreased. The team’s familiarity with clients’ audiences and operations reduces risks through proactive measures. By identifying patterns early, the team prevents issues, ensures smooth operations, reduces reactive interventions, and builds client trust while improving system efficiency.
In 2024, DATA.BET strengthened its presence in the esports betting industry by showcasing its solutions and engaging with audiences at premier exhibitions, immersing attendees into the vibrant world of esports. Moving into 2025, DATA.BET remains focused on leveraging this momentum to drive further success and prospects for everyone involved in esports betting.
The post DATA.BET Reflects on 2024 Milestones, Growth, and Achievements appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Australia7 days agoVGCCC: Bookmaker Fined for Customer Safety Breaches
-
Australia7 days ago
Michael Fitzsimons Joins Tabcorp as Chief Wagering Officer
-
Latest News7 days ago
Week 3/2025 slot games releases
-
Brazil7 days ago
INCENTIVE GAMES RECEIVES FULL PAY-TO-PLAY GAMING CERTIFICATION IN BRAZIL
-
Industry News7 days ago
Amusnet Releases Showtime Roulette 500x
-
Latest News7 days ago
Meet Galácticos Legends Luis Figo, Iker Casillas, Michael Owen, and Michel Salgado at Digitain Stand at ICE 2025
-
Industry News7 days ago
IGSA to Exhibit at ICE Barcelona
-
Latest News7 days ago
Bavaria Takes the Lead as the Best Games Location in Germany
