eSports
KAIROS GROUP ACQUIRES GAMING AND ESPORTS ORGANISATION HORIZON UNION
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.”
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Asia
S8UL Announces Campa Energy as Title Sponsor for its Esports World Cup 2026 Campaign
S8UL, a global name in esports and gaming content, has announced Campa Energy, the flagship energy drink brand of Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL), as the Title Sponsor for its Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 campaign. The move marks a major milestone for Indian esports, bringing together the country’s leading esports organisation and a rapidly growing youth-focused consumer brand ahead of the world’s biggest esports tournament.
Having been selected for the Esports Foundation’s Club Partner Programme for the second consecutive year, S8UL launched its most ambitious Esports World Cup campaign yet across 13 titles, already securing qualification spots in Fortnite, Honor of Kings & Chess while remaining in contention across multiple other titles. The organisation has also placed a strong emphasis on showcasing Indian talent internationally, with homegrown players competing across several esports titles alongside proven international talent. The onboarding of Campa Energy further strengthens this India-first vision, bringing together two homegrown brands to back Indian esports on the world stage.
As Title Sponsor, Campa Energy will be integrated across S8UL’s official team jerseys, digital content, fan engagement initiatives, city events and on-ground activations throughout the EWC 2026 campaign. The association reflects a shared vision to champion Indian gaming talent on the global stage while deepening engagement with the country’s rapidly growing esports community.
Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO, S8UL Esports, said: “The conversation around Indian esports has changed significantly over the last few years. Today, it is no longer just about potential, it is about building globally competitive teams, creating sustainable fan ecosystems, and earning the confidence of major brands. Our partnership with Campa Energy represents that larger shift. As S8UL prepares for the Esports World Cup 2026 across multiple titles, having a homegrown brand support this journey reinforces the growing cultural relevance of esports in India. We see this as a shared effort to push Indian talent and Indian esports further onto the global stage.”
Campa Energy has been crafted for a generation that constantly challenges boundaries and aspires to achieve more with every step. Campa Energy will power S8UL’s athletes across multiple titles as they prepare to represent India on the global stage. The brand also has a growing presence within the esports ecosystem, having previously associated with JioBLAST All Stars vs India, a creator-led competitive entertainment format centered around Battlegrounds Mobile India, which featured popular S8UL creators including Payal Dhare, Raj Varma and Parv Singh.
As per the recent FICCI-EY Media and Entertainment Report 2026, the number of brands investing in Indian esports is expected to grow to 80 in 2026, with this association further highlighting the rising mainstream interest in the country’s rapidly evolving gaming and esports ecosystem.
The EWC 2026, set to take place in Paris, France from July 6 to August 23, 2026, will bring together over 2000 players from 200 clubs across more than 100 countries competing for a record-breaking prize pool of $75 million (~INR 720 crore). Backed by Campa Energy, S8UL will aim to make its mark while showcasing Indian esports talent at the highest level of international competition.
The post S8UL Announces Campa Energy as Title Sponsor for its Esports World Cup 2026 Campaign appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
data providers
DATA.BET reports 168% turnover growth from virtual content in Q1 2025–Q1 2026
DATA.BET says turnover from its virtual content grew 168% between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026, with the supplier reporting the product accounted for 39% of total virtual sports turnover and 45% of profits over the period.
The company said the content is developed fully in-house and delivered through automated bot-vs-bot matches that run 24/7 without dependence on real-world fixture schedules. DATA.BET positioned the format as a way to provide continuous events and reduce operational overhead for operators.
Across the same period, DATA.BET reported +299% active users, +129% across clients GGR, +246% events per quarter, and +218% bets placed.
DATA.BET also said the audience profile overlaps with live football bettors, which it believes supports retention during seasonal breaks. The supplier added that the algorithm-driven format “carries no fraud exposure,” supports In-Stream Betting overlays, and provides near-zero latency between broadcast and market updates.
“Over the past year, our bot-vs-bot virtual content has delivered consistent, measurable results across every operator deployment. Building e-Football in-house gives us the flexibility to configure it to what each operator actually needs — whether that is a specific league structure, a particular mix of bot and player content, or a branded competition format,” mentioned Rostyslav Likhtin, Head of Product at DATA.BET.
The post DATA.BET reports 168% turnover growth from virtual content in Q1 2025–Q1 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
energy drinks
Team Vitality names FYZIO official sports nutrition and energy drinks supplier
Multi-year deal adds Laboratoires Gilbert’s new brand to jerseys across CS2, VALORANT, Rocket League and LoL teams ahead of a September 2026 launch.
Team Vitality has signed a multi-year partnership with FYZIO, naming the brand its new official sports nutrition and energy drinks supplier. FYZIO is a sports nutrition and hydration brand developed by Laboratoires Gilbert, a French healthcare company established in 1904.
The partnership will put FYZIO branding on the left sleeve of Team Vitality’s official jerseys for several flagship rosters, including CS2, VALORANT (VCT), Rocket League, and League of Legends teams across the LEC, LFL, and Rising Bees. FYZIO will also support Team Vitality teams competing in Teamfight Tactics, Tekken, and Trackmania.
FYZIO is scheduled to launch in September 2026. Team Vitality said the brand will supply products intended to support areas including hydration, fatigue and stress reduction, concentration and memory, and sleep quality.
“We are delighted to announce this partnership with FYZIO and proud to support the launch of this ambitious new brand from the French group, Laboratoires Gilbert. By integrating its specialised nutrition products into our teams’ routines, we are further strengthening our commitment to high-performance excellence,” comments Vas Roberts, Co-CEO of Team Vitality.
“For more than 120 years, Laboratoires Gilbert has been developing solutions dedicated to health and well-being. With FYZIO, we are bringing this expertise to a new ambition: helping everyone achieve their goals, whatever they may be, through a modern, accessible, and responsible approach to sports nutrition. Our partnership with Team Vitality reflects this shared vision of progress, high standards, and sustainable performance. Your performance, our nature“, explains Cédric Batteur, Chairman & CEO, Laboratoires Gilbert.
The post Team Vitality names FYZIO official sports nutrition and energy drinks supplier appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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