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Jarno Opmeer and Mercedes lead F1 Esports Series Pro Championship presented by Aramco after dramatic Event 1

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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.

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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:

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Driver standings

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Team standings

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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

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Race 2 – China

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Race 3 – Austria

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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:

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“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.”

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BETBY EXPANDS E-SIM PORTFOLIO WITH THREE NEW TITLES: eBOXING, eVOLLEYBALL, AND WORLD-FIRST eKABADDI

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Leading sportsbook supplier BETBY has further grown its proprietary esports feed, Betby Games, with the addition of three new e-sim titles: eBoxing, eVolleyball, and the world’s first-ever virtual version of Kabaddi, eKabaddi. With this release, the Betby Games portfolio now features 22 titles, continuing to set the standard in high-frequency, localised betting content.

The newly launched titles reinforce BETBY’s strategy of diversifying its esports feed across both mainstream and niche sporting verticals, offering tailored content for specific regions while maintaining global appeal.

eKabaddi represents a historic industry first: a fully simulated and exclusive title made for fans of the sport, with a special focus on Asia. Launching in sync with the upcoming Season 12 of the Indian Pro Kabaddi League, this new addition features two tournaments: the Indian Pro League and a World Cup. With over 7,500 monthly matches, two 5-minute halves per game, and a unique real-sport integration, eKabaddi offers operators a powerful way to maintain 24/7 fan engagement and retention, even between real-world fixtures.

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eBoxing brings iconic fighters to the virtual ring — from modern-day stars like Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk to true legends such as Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and the Klitschko brothers — creating matchups never possible in real life, but now made reality through Betby Games. The title features fast-paced matchups across Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight tournaments, with each fight limited to a single 2-minute round and pre-match betting available on over 20,000 monthly events, making it perfectly suited for short-session engagement and high-intensity action.

eVolleyball launches with four tournaments showcasing national teams in a one-set-to-25-points format. Drawing from the South American Championship and CEV EuroVolley (for both men and women), each match lasts approximately 10 minutes. The title is expected to generate 15,000 events per month, adding variety to the Betby Games lineup.

Kirill Nekrasov, Head of Sportsbook Product at BETBY, commented: “We’re heading into the new sports season at full speed and pushing the Betby Games portfolio to new heights. Each of the new titles is unique and important for the market, we’re filling the live content gap across all directions. The launch of eKabaddi shows that for the Betby Games team, nothing is impossible.”

BETBY’s proprietary Betby Games ecosystem now includes 22 titles, 80+ tournaments, 8,000+ betting markets, and supports over 400,000 monthly matches, providing operators with an unparalleled selection of fast, flexible, and scalable esports content.

The post BETBY EXPANDS E-SIM PORTFOLIO WITH THREE NEW TITLES: eBOXING, eVOLLEYBALL, AND WORLD-FIRST eKABADDI appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Football Legends Ronaldo and Kaká to Face Off in EA FC for Esports World Cup 2025 Showmatch

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The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) announced that football icons Ronaldo Nazário and Kaká will go head-to-head in the Esports World Cup 2025 Showmatch on August 9, 2025. Taking place during the EWC 2025 EA FC game week, live on stage in the STC Arena of the EWC Festival in Riyadh, the Showmatch blends elite football legacy with competitive gaming in a crossover moment that celebrates the rise of esports as a global sport.

The 2025 edition builds on the success of last year’s Showmatch debut ft. Neymar Jr. and Team Falcons’ Mossad “Msdossary” Al-Dossary. That foundation now returns on a bigger scale, as the Esports World Cup 2025 continues to blur the lines between sporting legacy and digital competition. The format is being elevated into a best-of-three digital derby featuring EA SPORTS FC 25 competition. With Cristiano Ronaldo recently named Global Ambassador of the EWC 2025, the Showmatch embodies the tournament’s commitment to bridging traditional sport and esports on a global stage.

“Ronaldo and Kaká embody competitive excellence and legacy, drawing passionate support from fans around the world – everything great sport aspires to achieve,” said Mike McCabe, COO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “Their presence at the Esports World Cup reflects values that connect traditional sport and gaming, showing how those worlds are coming together in ways that truly resonate with fans. Bringing together legends who inspire multiple generations and communities is what makes this Showmatch truly special. We’re honoured to have them with us on this stage, especially during football week.”

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Adding to the spectacle, Ronaldo and Kaká are also scheduled to appear on EWC Spotlight, the tournament’s premium broadcast series, offering insight into their role in the future of global sport and entertainment.

The match will feature a bespoke creative set-up inspired by Brazilian street football, old-school collectible cards, and graffiti art, incorporating EWC 2025 elements in a nostalgic yet modern expression of sport, elite esports competition, and fandom. Dedicated cheering sections, post-match Q&As, and exclusive fan rewards will ensure that attendees and viewers are fully immersed in the experience.

Celebrating football week at EWC 2025, the Showmatch and EA SPORTS FC Pro World Championship are joined by the Kings League MENA Presentation on August 10th, marking the competition’s regional debut. Founded by Gerard Piqué, the fast-paced, seven-a-side competition, which blends football with fan-led rules and digital interactivity, kicks off its MENA expansion at EWC 2025. At the event, Piqué will unveil team names, logos, and club presidents, including top regional creators.

The EWC Showmatch 2025 and Kings League MENA Presentation are some of the headline entertainment experiences of this summer’s EWC, the world’s largest esports event, hosted in Riyadh through to August 24, 2025. The tournament’s unique cross-game format brings together over 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs, competing across 25 tournaments in 24 games for a life-changing $70m+ prize pool.

This year, icons Magnus Carlsen and Cristiano Ronaldo join the Esports World Cup as Global Ambassadors, bringing their competitive legacy and global reach to the world’s biggest esports stage. Carlsen, the reigning chess champion, also competes in the inaugural EWC Chess Tournament (July 29–31).

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2025 PUBG MOBILE Global Championship Details, Format, and Map Changes Revealed at Esports World Cup

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James Yang, Senior Director of Global Esports at Level Infinite, has shared a number of exciting reveals for the future of PUBG MOBILE Esports. Among this news is the official plan for the second half of the 2025 competitive season, including further information on the format and changes coming to the prestigious PUBG MOBILE Global Championship (PMGC) at the end of the year. These changes are set to amplify the excitement at the final major competition in this year’s circuit, allowing more opportunities for teams to make it to number one.

As the final tournament of the annual PUBG MOBILE Esports circuit, the 2025 PMGC is the most anticipated event of the year, with professional teams vying for their chance to etch their name in esports history as the ultimate Champions of the PUBG MOBILE year. For this reason, the best teams across the world are invited to take their shot at victory. This year sees the introduction of the Gauntlet Stage to the tournament — an initial stage where the 16 best teams from each region are selected for an initial chance to go straight to the Grand Finals, with six slots up for grabs.

In order to qualify for the Gauntlet Stage, teams must be placed within the top two or three spots in the regional 2025 PUBG MOBILE Super League (PMSL) Fall Rankings, but this is not the only opportunity to enter the tournament. The bottom 10 ranked teams from the Gauntlet will enter the Group Stage, alongside 22 teams from across the globe. These 22 teams are made up of the top-scoring teams from every region, with the combined 32 teams facing off in two groups for a further four qualifying slots per group.

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The final two slots are made up of the overall winner of the host-region invite slot and the winner of the Last Chance stage, where the teams ranked 5th-12th from the Group Stage will get one more shot at qualifying for the Grand Finals.

Many other changes were announced as PUBG MOBILE Esports seeks to close the gap between professional play and the wider player experience. Kicking this off, Rondo is replacing Sanhok in the official map rotation from the 2025 PMSL Fall Season, and with it comes a myriad of impactful changes. To begin, the Recall System makes a return to the competitive formula, allowing eliminated players to rejoin the battle should their teammates safely secure their tag. Sentry Guards and drops will also be introduced in keeping with the original Rondo experience and the Blue Zone speed will remain the same. However, the iconic map stores will not be available, meaning players will have to scavenge for gear just as they do in other maps.

With the action-heavy updates revealed, PUBG MOBILE Esports has also highlighted some of the best moments across the various tournaments to date. This involves a look at the skill of standout performances, key historical moments, and also recognising amazing examples of how gaming can connect people across the globe.

Beginning with the former, following two years of persistence, Indonesia’s GluSquad Esports made their mark on the game, qualifying for the PMSL SEA for the first time, earning widespread support for their fresh energy in the summer season. Waves were also made in Africa, as Memoitho made history becoming the first woman in PUBG MOBILE Esports to reach the Top 3 in the 2025 PUBG MOBILE Africa Cup (PMAC) Kenya Solo Competition. Then to Nepal, where Horaa Esports celebrated their qualification in the 2025 PMWC, marking their debut entry into a major global tournament.

Alongside these great stories are many heartwarming highlights from over the years, such as Team Nile’s own 11011Enemy, who defied the odds while managing mobility issues from sickle cell disease, securing MVP in a crucial match, and going on to represent Nigeria in Saudi Arabia. In a similar vein, a community of gamers with disabilities from Turkey were brought together by PUBG MOBILE, growing into a 50 person group of supportive players across the country. PUBG MOBILE is also celebrating the love and support shown by pro players’ families. Earlier this year, the father of Regnum Carya Esports’ Sylas celebrated his son’s success at the 2025 PUBG MOBILE Global Open (PMGO). Then at the 2025 PMWC, the father of POWR Esports’ Alhaje cheered on his son from the crowd as the weekend unfolded. With this, both of these proud fathers proved their place as their sons’ number one fans. Last but not least, fans will remember how football star Richarlison met his partner through their mutual love for PUBG MOBILE Esports.

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With a plethora of significant updates to the tournament formula, the reintroduction of impactful features, and many more stories to be made, PUBG MOBILE Esports fans have plenty to look forward to for the rest of the year and beyond.

The post 2025 PUBG MOBILE Global Championship Details, Format, and Map Changes Revealed at Esports World Cup appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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