eSports
F1 Esports Series presented by Aramco breaks viewing and engagement records in 2021
Following today’s announcement of the 2021 F1 season’s audience and attendance figures, we can confirm that the 2021 F1 Esports Series presented by Aramco has broken viewership and engagement records – building upon the huge momentum gathered in 2020. The full series, which ran throughout 2021, achieved over 23 million views across digital platforms, a +103% YOY increase.
Digital & TV:
The Series’ flagship event, the Pro Championship, was the main contributor to the large proportion of the 23m digital views with 13.8m views, representing a 47% increase from 2020. The remaining views were split across the F1 Esports Series’ mix of output, including the return of the F1 Esports Series Challengers, as well as the Pro Exhibition and Preview Show.
Each Event of the 2021 Pro Championship subsequently broke the previous Event’s viewing record, culminating in 4.5m views for December’s Grand Final, up 67% YoY, which saw Jarno Opmeer clinch his second consecutive Drivers’ Championship, this time for Mercedes, who also secured the Teams’ title for the first time since 2018.
In addition to digital viewership, the cumulative TV audience for the whole of the Pro Championship and the Preview Show, reached an estimated 858k – more than three times the total audience for the 2020 series (269k).
Social media:
The social media output from the F1 Esports Series continues to be commended for the high quality of content that supports the action, and is highlighted by the fact that engagements, impressions, and video views all significantly increased last year compared to the 2020 season.
Across the Pro Championship events in 2021, there were 10.5m engagements on the official F1 Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Twitch and Huya channels – more than double the 4m total in 2020. The content also received 458m impressions, and 4.1m video views, increasing on 2020 by 93% and 71% respectively.
The future of the F1 Esports Series presented by Aramco:
The excitement and drama of real-world racing was replicated in the virtual world with fans wanting more and more action, and enjoyment across the 2021 Pro Championship was very strong, with an average of 70% giving scores of 8 (or above) out of 10 for each race in a post-season survey – a significant increase on both 2019 (64%) and 2020 (55%). The F1 Esports Series Pro Championship presented by Aramco will return in the second half of 2022, with more updates to follow soon.
Action in 2022 is already well underway, with the F1 Esports Series Challengers starting in January, with events for Xbox, PC and PlayStation competitors taking place every fortnight as competitors look to qualify for this year’s Pro Exhibition. As previously reported, a record 494k participants attempted to qualify in 2021, which was a 108% increase on the previous year.
Ben Pincus, Director of Commercial Partnerships at Formula 1, said:
“It is fantastic to see the F1 Esports Series presented by Aramco break records across the board once again, crowning a brilliant year of action throughout our virtual racing. Not only are we seeing competition at the highest level, but thanks to the increased content output across our social channels, our strong community of fans has never been more engaged.”
Paul Jeal, F1 Senior Franchise Director at Codemasters, said:
“It’s an incredible time to be associated with Formula 1, and we are extremely proud of the continued growth of the F1 Esports Series presented by Aramco. The quality of the racing has kept us all enthralled, and congratulations again to our champions Jarno Opmeer and Mercedes. Each year, we are driving new players into our game. The dream of getting to sign and race for a Formula 1 team is driving up participation, and the emerging talent coming up through the 2022 Challengers is a testament to that.”
John Clarke, CEO at Gfinity, said:
“The significant increase in viewership of the F1 Esports Series presented by Aramco is due to a growing passion for virtual racing and the appeal of all things Formula 1 amongst young gamers. The drivers are at the peak of their powers and the racing is competitive and exciting, and they are becoming true social media personalities. This is great news for the future of F1 Esports.”
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Brook Gaming, a leader in cross-platform gaming hardware solutions, announced the official launch of its highly anticipated Wingman FGC 2 Converter in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Available immediately on Amazon AE, the Wingman FGC 2 empowers UAE gamers to use over 150 of their favorite wired controllers – including elite fight sticks, racing wheels and gamepads – seamlessly across all PlayStation 5 games and PC (X-Input).
The UAE boasts a vibrant and rapidly growing gaming community, with a strong passion for console gaming, particularly fighting games (FGC) and racing titles. As the region emerges as a significant esports hub, players demand precision and performance. However, many gamers face the frustration of their high-investment PS4 fight sticks or preferred controllers being incompatible with the PS5.
The Wingman FGC 2 directly addresses this critical pain point. Its core unique selling proposition (USP) lies in its unparalleled, tournament-proven compatibility and performance:
Play All PS5 Games: Unlike many alternatives, the FGC 2 supports every PS5 title, not just fighting games.
Extensive Controller Support: It works flawlessly with over 150 official and third-party wired controllers, including popular brands like Hori, Madcatz, Logitech and Thrustmaster.
Ultra-Low Latency: Leveraging Brook’s renowned low-latency technology, it ensures near-instantaneous response times crucial for competitive play.
Plug-and-Play & Customisation: It offers simple operation plus advanced features like Turbo, Remap and Macro functions via software.
Tournament Ready (EVO Compliant): Designed with esports in mind, the FGC 2 is compliant with major tournament regulations, including EVO, making it a reliable choice for competitors.
This tournament-level performance was recently showcased when British player “EndingWalker” secured a stunning victory at Combo Breaker 2025 using a Brook Wingman FGC series converter, proving its reliability under the highest competitive pressure.
“We are incredibly excited to officially introduce the Wingman FGC 2 to the dynamic gaming market in the UAE. Seeing champions like EndingWalker trust our technology at major events like Combo Breaker fuels our commitment. The FGC 2 is our answer for UAE gamers – it’s the bridge that allows them to bring their legacy gear, skills and passion to any PS5 experience without compromise, especially for the thriving FGC and esports scene here,” said a spokesperson for Brook Gaming.
The post Brook Gaming Launches Wingman FGC 2 in UAE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Esportes Gaming Brasil, the owner of Onabet and Esportes da Sorte, has been certified as a Great Place To Work®. The recognition – a global reference in people management and organizational climate – highlights the company’s efforts in promoting a positive environment, with development, well-being and inclusion initiatives aligned with the needs of its approximately 600 employees.
The GPTW survey assesses employee perceptions across five pillars – credibility, respect, impartiality, pride and camaraderie. For Sophia Serak, Director of People, participating in the assessment was essential to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. “We want to be more than a workplace: we’ve created a framework for everyone to develop and feel valued. The certificate proves we are on the right path and motivates us to evolve further”, says the executive.
More than just a welcoming environment, Grupo Esportes Gaming Brasil has built a space where everyone has the freedom to be themselves, clarity about where they can go, and real support to grow. An environment where values such as trust, listening, and collaboration are at the heart of decisions — from the selection process to the choice of leaders.
In 2024, the group accelerated its mission to strengthen leadership, with training, assessments linked to values and programs offering regular management training. More than 60 leaders participated in development paths and initiatives such as “Impulso EGB” — an educational incentive program that subsidizes technical courses and specializations for employees.
Trust is the foundation of Esportes Gaming Brasil’s culture. It manifests itself in small gestures, spontaneous feedback, the freedom to propose new ideas and the construction of real bonds between people. The company invests in inclusive communication, active listening and collective actions that strengthen the sense of belonging — such as themed parties, recognition rituals and direct chats with leadership.
The post Esportes Gaming Brasil certified as Great Place To Work® appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced that Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most celebrated athletes of all time, has been appointed as the Global Ambassador of the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC), further solidifying EWC’s position as one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.
Ronaldo’s appointment marks a defining milestone for the Esports World Cup and signals the continued rise of competitive gaming as a global sport. A five-time Ballon d’Or winner and a symbol of elite performance, Ronaldo brings a powerful presence and cultural resonance that transcends traditional sports, helping connect millions of fans to the next generation of esports athletes.
“Cristiano Ronaldo connects generations — from lifelong football fans to today’s emerging competitors,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “His pursuit of greatness mirrors the spirit of the Esports World Cup: the biggest stage for the best players. As Global Ambassador, he bridges traditional sport and competitive gaming, helping spotlight the next generation of athletes competing for global glory. We’re humbled to have the greatest of all time stand with us in this moment for esports.”
Ronaldo has already played a formative role in the evolution of the Esports World Cup. He participated in the global announcement of the creation of EWC in 2023 and attended last summer’s Closing Ceremony in Riyadh, where he celebrated Team Falcons’ historic Club Championship win. With unmatched reach and fan engagement across every major platform, Ronaldo has helped elevate EWC’s profile since its inception.
As Global Ambassador, Ronaldo will headline the tournament’s global campaign leading up to and throughout the seven-week competition and festival in Riyadh. He also stars as a playable character in FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, one of the 25 tournament titles in this year’s Esports World Cup games lineup. With a social media following of over one billion, Ronaldo’s voice will help bring the tournament to new audiences, and introduce the next generation of fans to the elite players of competitive gaming.
Ronaldo’s participation will also highlight the Esports World Cup’s 2025 creative theme, “Rise Above,” a campaign celebrating unlocking human potential, pushing the boundaries and going beyond the norms in the pursuit of greatness — values exemplified by Ronaldo and mirrored by the athletes competing across 25 tournaments this summer.
“Sport is always evolving – and esports is one more frontier,” said Ronaldo. “The commitment, drive, talent, and intensity I have been able to see in esports athletes is no different from what I’ve experienced on the pitch. I’m proud to stand alongside these competitors and be part of a global event that’s inspiring a new generation.”
The Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite gaming and esports communities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Champion. The tournament’s unique cross-game format will reward Clubs and players competing for a life-changing prize pool across a mix of platforms and genres, bringing together esports’ best teams, players and games under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of esports.
The EWC 2025 will feature 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs from more than 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool. Tickets are now available at esportsworldcup.com.
To learn more about EWC, visit esportsworldcup.com and follow Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn. “Esports World Cup: Level Up,” a five-part docuseries directed by Emmy winner R.J. Cutler that chronicles the inaugural EWC, is now streaming exclusively on Prime Video with new episodes released weekly.
The post Cristiano Ronaldo Named Global Ambassador of the Esports World Cup 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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