eSports

KAIROS GROUP ACQUIRES GAMING AND ESPORTS ORGANISATION HORIZON UNION

Published

4 years ago

February 16, 2022

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

GLOBAL gaming media company, Kairos Group, has acquired gaming and esports organisation, Horizon Union (Horizon).

The latest organisation to join Kairos Group, which is also home to Kairos Media, Kyma Media, Turopium Sports and Entertainment and Kairos Ventures, Horizon will be managed and operated out of its base in Manchester.

Founded by Kieran Wood and Will Mollett in 2017, Horizon has grown to house over 35+ creators who drive and deliver content via an always-on strategy. Working alongside global brands such as GFUEL, Boost Gaming and ChampionUS, the organisation operates on the core principles of working closely with creators to provide strategic business value, within various verticals in the gaming world.

Horizon entered the esports space in January 2022 with the acquisition of esports team Top Dogs, competing in the APEX Legends Global Series (ALGS) league. With the UK esports industry continuing to show extensive growth, Horizon is hyper focused on continuing to develop and nurture grassroot competitive talent as well as establishing stature.

Alongside founding Horizon both Kieran and Will worked at Kairos Media for two years, with Kieran as an account manager and Will as a campaign manager.

Commenting on the acquisition, co-founder and operations and commercial lead at Horizon, Kieran Wood, said: “Working with the Kairos Group team for nearly 2 years has been nothing short of a life changing experience, both professionally and personally.

“The level of progression and development from working at Kairos Media and Horizon simultaneously has worked hand in hand to creating a sustainable and profitable organisation in Horizon.

“I could not be prouder of what we’ve achieved so far but we’ve still got a long way to go. Horizon’s future is looking very strong, with even more partners and creators joining and more esports ventures in the pipeline and we can’t wait to begin this next phase under the Kairos Group umbrella. “

Co-founder and talent and partnerships lead, Will Mollett, added: “A journey with Horizon that began in 2017 is now merely just the beginning come 2022.

“Working with Kairos Group is nothing short of a phenomenal opportunity for growth, not only as an organisation but also for our creators, who are always at the forefront of Horizon. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals, who know the space better than anybody else, assists in all areas to the highest degree. The future is bright and I cannot wait to get started.”

Founded in 2015, Kairos Group has offices in the UK (London and Manchester), with teams also in Germany, France and the USA. The group has worked with some of the largest, most exciting brands in the world, including Facebook, Epic Games, KFC, JBL and Porsche.

Drew Townley, CGO of Kairos Group and managing director of Kairos Media, said: “Will and Kieran have been some of the brightest minds and hardest workers at Kairos Media since they joined. The opportunity for Kairos Group to support a journey, that I have no doubt they would have excelled at regardless, was too good to turn down.

“It adds a completely new pillar to the Group with a gaming organisation itself, with ambitions to do esports the right way in the UK and beyond. We already have some of the most forward thinking brands on this journey with us and Horizon only adds to the incredible offering for any partner.”

2XKO

DATA.BET the First to Launch 2XKO Offering

Published

9 hours ago

October 10, 2025

George Miller

data.bet-the-first-to-launch-2xko-offering

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Introducing Riot Games’ newest title to the esports landscape

DATA.BET, the award-winning sports betting solution supplier, has pioneered the betting market by launching 2XKO, a new dynamic competitive format.

2XKO marks a new addition to the global esports scene. With its fast-paced, double-elimination structure, it brings a distinctive rhythm of short yet high-stakes matches — a setup that potentially opens new avenues for betting engagement and audience retention as the format evolves.

At this stage, DATA.BET’s coverage focuses on key pre-match markets, including Winner and To Reach the Final for overall tournament outcomes, as well as Winner within individual matches. During the final stages of the competition, the company also plans to expand its offering with Map Winner markets for each map.

What makes 2XKO unique is the combination of short-form, high-intensity gameplay. This setup maximizes player engagement, mirroring the popularity of competitive fighting games worldwide while translating seamlessly into a betting environment.

DATA.BET debuted its 2XKO betting coverage at the upcoming 2 NICE KO tournament in Nice, France (Oct 10–12, 2025), featuring nearly 300 players across top fighting titles.

Bogdan Holovnov, Head of Esports at DATA.BET, said: “Esports thrives on creativity and innovation, and 2XKO is the perfect example of how new formats can drive excitement for players and bettors alike. At DATA.BET, we’re proud to be the first to bring this to market — giving our partners exclusive access to content that captures the speed, intensity, and global appeal of fighting games. This launch reinforces our commitment to expanding esports betting with fresh, high-impact experiences.”

The post DATA.BET the First to Launch 2XKO Offering appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Akshat Rathee

PlayStation and NODWIN Gaming Announce the Fourth Edition of the PlayStation India Cup Featuring EA SPORTS FC 26

Published

12 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Niji Narayan

playstation-and-nodwin-gaming-announce-the-fourth-edition-of-the-playstation-india-cup-featuring-ea-sports-fc-26

Reading Time: 2 minutes

NODWIN Gaming, a leader in new-age youth entertainment, gaming and esports, has announced the fourth edition of the PlayStation India Cup, featuring EA SPORTS FC 26, exclusively on PS5 console.

The tournament marks the return of India’s only official console esports tournament, and features daily online qualifiers, followed by an online playoffs. The top 8 players will progress to the grand finale, which will take place during Delhi Comic Con at NSIC Grounds, Okhla, New Delhi, from 5th December to 7th December 2025. Fans will witness the country’s top EA FC 26 players competing for a total prize pool of ₹4,00,000. With the rise of football fandom in India and the ever-growing EA SPORTS FC community, this year’s championship promises bigger competition and unmatched excitement.

The previous edition of the India Cup Finals at Delhi Comic Con 2024 also featured an immersive PlayStation gaming pavilion with hands-on demos and live commentary, which saw strong engagement from Comic Con attendees.

This year, in addition to the sizable prize pool, all finalists will receive official PlayStation merchandise, making the competition even more rewarding for players who make it to the big stage.

How to Register

Registrations for the PlayStation India Cup started on October 08, 2025. Players across India can participate in the daily online qualifiers through the following steps:

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Step 1: Boot up the PlayStation 5 and ensure it is connected to the internet.

Step 2: Navigate to the “Events” or “Tournaments” section on the PS5 dashboard.

Step 3: Look for the “PlayStation India Cup FC 26” (EA SPORTS FC 26) tournament listing.

Step 4: Select the tournament and follow the on-screen prompts to complete registration.

Step 5: Confirm participation and monitor notifications for match schedules or additional requirements.

The Daily Cups conclude on November 10, 2025. Players are encouraged to register early to secure their spot in the daily qualifiers.

Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, said: “The console esports scene in India is a premium niche, and the PlayStation India Cup with EA FC captures that perfectly. Delhi Comic Con, where our journey began over a decade ago, provides the ideal stage, bringing together fans who love both pop culture and competitive gaming. Hosting the tournament in our 40,000 sq. ft. Gaming Arena adds to the festive spirit of Comic Con, where football fans can compete, cheer, and experience EA FC like never before. It’s a true celebration of Delhi’s vibrant fandom and the growing console esports community in India.”

The tournament will be amplified with influencer-led content, live streams and weekly updates, ensuring both players and fans remain engaged throughout the journey.

The post PlayStation and NODWIN Gaming Announce the Fourth Edition of the PlayStation India Cup Featuring EA SPORTS FC 26 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Asia

KONAMI Teams Up with Sunil Chhetri to Celebrate Diwali with Exclusive eFootball™ Content and National Tournament

Published

1 day ago

October 9, 2025

George Miller

konami-teams-up-with-sunil-chhetri-to-celebrate-diwali-with-exclusive-efootball-content-and-national-tournament

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. (KONAMI) today announced a historic collaboration with Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri, bringing his exclusive player card and avatar to eFootball. Launched today, 9th October, the move is timed with the celebration of Diwali, marking a milestone moment for Indian fans. Adding to the celebrations, Konami also unveils the Diwali Cup, a national level eFootball tournament with a ₹1 Lakh prize pool, allowing fans a chance to celebrate one of the country’s most festive seasons and also play as a national icon.

Registrations for the tournament are now open via the eFootball India Discord server, closing on 16^th October Matches commence between October 16 to 30, with top performers and the winner able to secure an opportunity to meet celebrity guests such as Sunil Chhetri, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Focused Indian and Ahan Shetty at the exclusive event in Mumbai this December. The Diwali Cup is designed to blend competition with festivity, giving fans a chance to celebrate the season on and off the virtual pitch.

To further embrace the spirit of Diwali, the brand will also introduce a special in-game ‘Diwali Campaign’ From themed jerseys and firework goal effects to celebratory profile banners, these exclusive design elements aim to bring an Indian cultural flavor into the game. Ensuring fans can experience both the festival and the beautiful game in a unique way. Additionally, fans can look forward to obtaining the Sunil Chhetri Starter Set on sale from November onwards.

Speaking about the launch, Junichi Taya, eFootball General Producer at KONAMI, said: “India has an incredible passion for football, and Sunil Chhetri stands as a true symbol of that spirit. We are honored to celebrate his career with this special in-game card. Additionally, as we look to build a stronger presence in the sub-continent, we are seeking to embrace localized activations, and this aligns with our vision perfectly. This collaboration reflects our long-term commitment to Indian fans as we look forward to seeing them celebrate both their hero and their festival inside eFootball.”

With over two decades of international football, Sunil Chhetri’s arrival in eFootball marks a new chapter in honoring his legacy. For fans across India, the launch is aimed to be a celebration of national pride, passion, and the growing power of Indian football. As KONAMI pushes ahead to deliver meaningful, localized experiences across the subcontinent, the brand seeks to ensure Indian fans remain at the heart of eFootball.

The post KONAMI Teams Up with Sunil Chhetri to Celebrate Diwali with Exclusive eFootball™ Content and National Tournament appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.