eSports

IESF World Esports Championships Regional Qualifiers Underway in Baku

Published

4 years ago

May 27, 2022

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Regional Qualifiers kick off with European Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan

Europe’s greatest players compete in Tekken 7 to secure place in IESF’s flagship event

The European Esports Federation (EEF) with the support from the International Esports Federation (IESF) are organizing the European Championship in Tekken 7 and officially kicked off the World Esports Championships regional qualifiers in Baku, Azerbaijan. Players from 18 countries will compete in Tekken 7 for a prize of $5,000 and a coveted spot in the WE Championships Finals.

The European Championships began today, 26th May, with the Opening Ceremony taking place at Crystal Hall Arena in the Azerbaijan capital. This is the first time Azerbaijan has hosted the regional qualifiers. The Ceremony featured representatives from the 18 nations participating as well as the President of the Azerbaijan Esports Federation, President of the European Esports Federation and Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Republic.

President of the Azerbaijan Esports Federation Ramil Aliyev: “I would like to express my deep gratitude to the European Esports Federation for the great confidence put in us to organize such a competition here in Baku. I believe that promoting and sharing common values will let us build a strong community in Europe as a whole. I hope that all participants will leave our country with great impressions and priceless memories. In the end, I want to declare the European Esports Championship Baku 2022 officially open! Wish you good Luck & Have Fun!”

IESF President Vlad Marinescu spoke at the Opening Ceremony and said: “I first want to thank the city of Baku and the local government and organizers for welcoming the World Esports Family for the first round of our regional qualifiers. The Azerbaijan Esports Federation has done an amazing job at growing and promoting esports in their nation. We are looking forward to continuing IESF’s rich and consistent history of hosting the best esports events and proving athletes with the ultimate environment to perform at their full potential with the 14th World Esports Championships. Players, Let the games begin!”

European Esports President Ido Brosh said: “ The European Esports Championships feature some of the best Esports athletes in Europe, competing for a cash prize and a chance to qualify to the IESF World Esports Championships later this year in Bali. Only together we can lead by example, as the sport of the next generation. Congratulations to Baku and the Azerbaijan Esports Federation for hosting this event – it is our pleasure to visit your country. And to the players competing this week I say good luck, have fun, have perseverance, and bring home the glory!”

Eighteen players from Azerbaijan, France, Georgia, Israel, Italy, Hungary, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and Wales will compete in Tekken 7 with all matches available to stream on the IESF Twitch channel.

The European Championships will continue throughout the summer with upcoming competitions in CS:GO, eFootball, Dota 2, PUBG and Mobile Legend: Bang Bang in Oradea, Romania, Podgorica, Montenegro, and Tirana, Albania, respectfully. The Championships feature a total prize pool of $80,000.

The WE Championships regional qualifiers will continue in the fall with the Panam, Asian and African Championships. The world’s greatest esports players will then go head-to-head at the 2022 edition of the WE Championships Finals in Bali, Indonesia, taking place from December 1 to 12, 2022.

Brazil

Esportes Gaming Brasil exec calls for ‘responsible sponsorship’ at BiS Brasília

Published

2 days ago

June 4, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

esportes-gaming-brasil-exec-calls-for-‘responsible-sponsorship’-at-bis-brasilia

Esportes Gaming Brasil director Hugo Baungartner used a panel appearance at BiS Brasília (Brazilian iGaming Summit) to argue that sports and cultural sponsorships should be measured by their long-term impact, not just brand visibility. Baungartner spoke during the session “A Importância dos Patrocínios e das Leis de Incentivo para a Sustentabilidade do Esporte e da Cultura.”

During the debate, Baungartner said sector maturity requires a long-term approach that turns sponsorships into platforms for relationship-building and local ecosystem development, connecting with fans, consumers and communities.

He highlighted the group’s sports partnerships with Corinthians, Ceará, Náutico and Ferroviária, as well as support for Brazilian cultural events including Carnaval, São João and the Festival de Parintins. Baungartner said major events can move entire supply chains by boosting tourism, commerce and job opportunities, and pointed to the importance of working with local suppliers and professionals in Parintins to expand the positive impacts of sponsorship spending.

Baungartner also addressed challenges in Brazil’s regulated betting market, saying consolidation depends on governance, integrity and consumer protection, alongside efforts to combat illegal operators. He said advances in provider regulation and stronger financial traceability mechanisms are important steps to limit unauthorized activity and improve user security.

“Patrocínio responsável é aquele que cria conexão real com o público e deixa legado no território. No esporte e na cultura, isso significa investir com governança, transparência e propósito, fortalecendo um ecossistema que gera renda, emprego e oportunidades”, afirmou.

The post Esportes Gaming Brasil exec calls for ‘responsible sponsorship’ at BiS Brasília appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

eSports

Team Vitality and Fulllife Unveil a New FPS Jersey for the Valorant Masters London and IEM Cologne Major 2026

Published

3 days ago

June 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

team-vitality-and-fulllife-unveil-a-new-fps-jersey-for-the-valorant-masters-london-and-iem-cologne-major-2026

Team Vitality has unveiled its new “FPS Jersey,” specially designed for IEM Cologne 2026 and the VALORANT Masters 2026 in collaboration with its apparel partner Fulllife. Conceived as a strong symbol of ambition, performance and legacy, the jersey features an exclusive central crest and introduces a bold visual evolution for the club.

After making history on Counter-Strike, Team Vitality is celebrating its FPS DNA through a jersey dedicated to its two flagship titles. Through this initiative, the club reinforces its ambition to leave a lasting mark on the world’s biggest FPS stages and establish this jersey as a new benchmark within the esports industry.

AN EXCEPTIONAL JERSEY FOR A HISTORIC MOMENT

For this new release, Team Vitality embraces a completely new visual approach. For the first time in the club’s history, purple is introduced alongside its iconic yellow and black colours, in line with the organisation’s new 2026 artistic direction. This bold creative choice allows the jersey to stand out within the esports landscape while surprising and exciting fans.

The symbol featured on the front of the jersey reinterprets an iconic part of the club’s logo: the “V” combined with the lower section of the bee’s body. This graphic element, called the “Mini Bee,” is integrated throughout the jersey’s design to symbolise the swarm — representing collective strength, the identity of the Hive and the power of the Team Vitality community.

Fulllife has brought its technical expertise to a piece designed both for competition and for the fans in the stands. Every detail reflects the club’s continued rise on the international stage and its ambition to leave a lasting legacy in esports. The accompanying apparel collection also incorporates the same colour palette and includes lifestyle pieces designed for everyday wear.

“We are extremely proud of this new FPS-focused marketing campaign — a true love letter to Counter-Strike and VALORANT. An exclusive jersey, a dedicated fan zone, and numerous activations created hand in hand with our partners for our fans… We are ready for two major international events, with the clear ambition of continuing to establish Team Vitality among the best esports clubs in the world,” said Amélie Canet, Chief Marketing Officer.

PERFORMANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY

The FPS Jersey is manufactured in Portugal using NanoMatter, a technical fabric made from 100% recycled polyester and specifically developed for competitive players. Ultra-comfortable, lightweight and breathable, it is designed to perform under the most demanding conditions.

Each order is delivered in Fulllife’s iconic Capsule packaging, redesigned in Team Vitality’s colors, FSC-certified and accompanied by 100% recycled and recyclable polybags.

“This jersey is one of the boldest pieces we have ever produced. Our role was to bring a strong creative vision to life using the best materials and manufacturing processes available, delivering a product that truly reflects Team Vitality’s ambitions on the international stage,” said Maxime Baziadoly, General Manager of Fulllife.

The post Team Vitality and Fulllife Unveil a New FPS Jersey for the Valorant Masters London and IEM Cologne Major 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Belgium

Epic Games and BLAST bring 2026 Fortnite Global Championship to Antwerp

Published

4 days ago

June 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

epic-games-and-blast-bring-2026-fortnite-global-championship-to-antwerp

Epic Games and BLAST will host the 2026 Fortnite Global Championship in Antwerp, Belgium, on September 26-27, marking the FNCS season finale at Lotto Arena.

Epic and BLAST said the event brings the Fortnite competitive circuit and BLAST to Antwerp for the first time. The announcement was made at the Fortnite Major 1 Summit in Düsseldorf, Germany.

A $2,000,000 USD prize pool will be at stake, alongside the FNCS Global Championship trophy crafted by silverware artisan Thomas Lyte.

Epic and BLAST positioned Antwerp—located in the Benelux region—as a travel-friendly destination for fans coming from Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Germany. Ticket information is available via the venue listing.

The post Epic Games and BLAST bring 2026 Fortnite Global Championship to Antwerp appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.