eSports

Esports Europe reaches 40 member countries

Published

4 years ago

December 15, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

19 new nations joined the European Esports Federation (EEF – Esports Europe) bringing the total number of national members to 40; EEF Congress elects new leadership to further develop Esports in Europe

The European Esports Federation (EEF) now represents 41 European countries after 18 new countries joined the institution, making EEF the largest community-driven non-profit Esports movement in Europe and the largest continental Esports Federation in the world.

New Leadership Elected as Esports Europe’s 2022 Agenda Unfolds

The new leadership of EEF will solidify the vision of the institution in several areas but mostly at a grassroots level, kickstarting several educational projects and community outreach programs, as well as the establishment of internal institutions to activate those programs. Establishing the European Esports Championship as the main national team’s competition in Europe is also one of the biggest challenges and goals of EEF.

The EEF General Meeting was hosted by the Israeli Esports Association in the city of Eilat, Israel.

Mr. Ido Brosh, President of the Israeli Esports Association, was elected President of the European Esports Federation. Mr. Brosh (26) has years of experience in the Esports industry from a community and tournament organization perspective and had also served as a Board Member of the International Esports Federation (IESF).

“Esports Europe had seen a rocky start following the COVID-19 challenges we had to face since inception. Our current task is to restructure and rebuild the organization to fulfill our original purpose and vision: to further strengthen the growth of Esports in Europe, as well as Europe in the Esports World, and to provide the best possible services to the Esports communities and players from most professional to the amateur levels, and create a platform for pan-industrial collaboration models between publishers, professional clubs, amateur teams, small and large, tournament organizers, players, and governmental institutions,” said Ido Brosh.

Tiago Fernandes, current President of the Portuguese Esports Federation, was elected Vice President by the new Board of EEF, following his election as a Board Member. Fernandes has extensive experience in the gaming and tech space working with brands, players, clubs, and tournament organizers.

According to Tiago Fernandes, “the development of grassroots in Europe and closing the widening gap between it and the pro level will be one of the main focuses of the EEF. For that goal we will have to work closely with the publishers, government entities, and, especially, with the community – players, managers, organizations, and tournament organizers.”

The General Meeting had also elected Mr. Karol Cagan (Slovakia), Mr. Boban Totovski (North Macedonia), Mr. Ramil Aliyev (Azerbaijan), Mr. Giulio Cecilenny (Italy), and Mr. Ivan Danishevsky (Ukraine) to serve as members of the Board, while Mr. Konstantine Surkont (Russia, Chairman of the Advisory Committee), Mr. Eduard Anokhin (Ukraine), Mr. Chris Jonasson (Sweden), Mr. Jacopo Lerussi (Italy), and Mr. Balázs Bíró (Hungary) make up the EEF’s Advisory Committee, which serves to ensure all EEF institutions are working in full transparency and are compliant with all relevant laws and regulations.

A Unified Vision for European Esports

The European Esports Federation, commonly referred to as “Esports Europe”, was established by prominent national Esports movements in Europe, following two years of discussions and preparations.

The organization was first established in 2020 in Brussels, Belgium, in an inaugural meeting taking place in the European Parliament in Brussels, and hosted by the Belgian Esports Federation.

Esports Europe aims to present a unifying vision for Esports in Europe to unite and align all key stakeholders of Esports with specific attention to the underlying values of the European communities: transparency, fair play, sportsmanship, human values, and inclusiveness.

Notably, Esports Europe membership includes prominent Esports tournament organizers such as ESL and ESFORCE, alongside national Esports associations and federations in the European Neighbourhood, some of which are recognized by their local sporting authorities as to the official Esports body that administers Esports in their respective country.

Esports Europe represents the interest of European Esports communities in the institutions of the International Esports Federation (IESF).

Dota 2

Global Esports Prize Pools Exceed $270M in 2025

Published

9 minutes ago

March 17, 2026

Wladimir P.

global-esports-prize-pools-exceed-$270m-in-2025

Global esports prize pools exceeded $270 million in 2025, a 15.5% increase year-over-year, according to new research from eSportRanker. Despite this growth, prize money remains concentrated. Saudi Arabia, China and the US together hosted roughly half of all prize money across the world’s top ten esports nations, highlighting how a few markets dominate major tournament hosting.

The analysis draws on Esports Charts host-country data covering more than 10,500 tournaments across 100+ esports titles worldwide. The research examines not only how much prize money was distributed, but where tournaments were hosted and what structural factors allowed certain countries to rise to the top.

Saudi Arabia ranked first globally with $39.66 million in hosted prize pools, driven largely by the Esports World Cup circuit in Riyadh, which staged tournaments across titles including Dota 2, PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Honor of Kings.

China ranked second with $34.82 million, supported by its publisher-controlled domestic league system, including Tencent’s King Pro League Grand Finals 2025, which alone carried a prize pool of nearly $10 million.

The US placed third with $23.12 million, reflecting a diversified esports ecosystem with tournaments across multiple publishers and game genres.

The top ten countries by hosted esports prize pools in 2025 were:

Saudi Arabia — $39.66M

China — $34.82M

United States — $23.12M

Romania — $7.79M

France — $7.57M

Thailand — $7.11M

Canada — $5.28M

Germany — $5.22M

South Korea — $5.03M

Japan — $4.28M

Beyond the leading three markets, prize money drops sharply. The remaining seven countries together accounted for just over $47 million, illustrating the concentration at the top of the global esports hosting landscape.

The research also highlights several structural patterns behind these rankings. Sovereign investment programmes, such as those in Saudi Arabia, can rapidly elevate a country’s esports position. Publisher-controlled ecosystems, as seen in China, generate recurring prize pools. Meanwhile, countries like Romania and Germany reached the top ten by consistently hosting international events rather than relying on single flagship tournaments.

The post Global Esports Prize Pools Exceed $270M in 2025 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BETBY

BETBY Expands E-Sim Portfolio with Three Industry-First Titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball

Published

1 day ago

March 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

betby-expands-e-sim-portfolio-with-three-industry-first-titles:-ehockey,-emma-and-eteqball

Tier 1 sportsbook supplier BETBY has expanded its proprietary esports feed, Betby.Games, with the launch of three industry-first e-sim titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball. The new releases further strengthen BETBY’s high-frequency betting content portfolio, introducing new sports verticals while continuing to deliver fast-paced, always-on content designed to maximise engagement for operators and players worldwide.

Each of the new titles debuts as a first-of-its-kind esports simulation in the betting industry, reinforcing BETBY’s reputation as a pioneer in developing original betting content.

eHockey launches with four tournaments representing the NHL’s divisions: Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central, and Pacific. Each match follows a format of three periods lasting three minutes each, delivering uninterrupted action with no stoppages. Designed to replicate the intensity of real hockey, the title offers 15+ betting markets and is expected to generate over 11,000 matches per month, ensuring a constant flow of high-frequency betting opportunities. Arriving just ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs next month, the new title allows hockey fans to stay immersed in the sport 24/7, extending engagement beyond real-world fixtures.

eMMA introduces a fast-paced combat sports experience featuring two tournaments: UFC Legends and UFC Women Legends, where some of the sport’s most iconic fighters face off in simulated matchups. By bringing together well-known names from MMA history, the title creates an instantly familiar environment for fans and bettors alike. The format focuses on quick fights, with each matchup consisting of a single round lasting around one to two minutes on average. Events begin every five minutes, ensuring continuous action throughout the day. Betting markets focus on the fight winner, creating a simple yet highly engaging wagering experience. Combined, the two tournaments are expected to deliver around 15,000 events per month.

Completing the trio is eTeqball, which introduces a brand-new sport to the Betby.Games portfolio. Combining elements of football and table tennis, the rapidly growing discipline brings a unique dynamic to esports simulations. The title launches with the TQX Cup Hungary – Double Mixed tournament, generating around 1800 matches per month. Each match consists of two games played up to 12 points, with over 20 betting markets available.

Kirill Nekrasov, Head of Innovation & R&D at BETBY, said: “Creating original content has always been at the core of the Betby.Games vision. With Hockey, MMA, and Teqball, we’re introducing three industry-first titles that further diversify our portfolio and bring new experiences to esports betting. Each of these games offers fast gameplay, clear betting mechanics, and a constant stream of events, helping operators keep players engaged 24/7.”

The post BETBY Expands E-Sim Portfolio with Three Industry-First Titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

B2B iGaming

Logifuture Joins Forces with BetConstruct AI to Expand Virtual Sports

Published

2 weeks ago

March 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

logifuture-joins-forces-with-betconstruct-ai-to-expand-virtual-sports

Logifuture, a leading B2B provider of virtual sports and instant gaming solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with BetConstruct AI, a global iGaming platform powering hundreds of operators worldwide. This collaboration integrates Logifuture’s flagship products, Zoom Sports and Simulate, into BetConstruct AI’s platform, significantly expanding access to innovative engagement tools for operators.

Expanding Global Reach

The partnership enables operators to offer next-generation virtual sports and instant betting solutions, enhancing player activity and generating incremental revenue.

Zoom Sports delivers ultra-realistic virtual football and tennis events in both full-length and turbo formats, offering thousands of daily betting opportunities.
Simulate allows players to instantly simulate the outcome of betslips, removing waiting times and creating immediate engagement.

These tools extend player retention, increase betting activity beyond live events, and create cross-sell opportunities across the BetConstruct AI network.

Innovation at the Core

Both Logifuture and BetConstruct AI prioritize innovation and product differentiation, helping operators stand out in a highly competitive market.

Niccolò Cassettari, Chief Business Development Officer at Logifuture, commented:
“Partnering with BetConstruct AI is a major step forward. Their global reach makes them the ideal partner to scale Zoom Sports and Simulate worldwide. This collaboration is just the beginning of a long-term partnership to deliver new experiences and stronger operator performance.”

Looking Ahead

The partnership will focus on expanding distribution, delivering new gaming experiences, and introducing innovative products to keep players engaged while helping operators grow revenue worldwide.

The post Logifuture Joins Forces with BetConstruct AI to Expand Virtual Sports appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.