eSports
IESF ANNOUNCES SPEAKERS FOR DAY 2 OF WORLD ESPORTS SUMMIT
The International Esports Federation (IESF) announced the remaining speakers for the World Esports Summit, scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 2 at the Busan Esports Arena.
Day two of the WE Summit will open with the second edition of the World Esports Academia Seminar and Competition, which aims to promote academic research for the World Esports Family and contribute to the overall growth and development of the industry. This year’s research subject is “Health Wellness and Well-being in Esports,” and the winning paper will be presented at the seminar and receive a grand prize of 4,000,000 KRW as well as an honorary certificate from IESF President Vlad Marinescu.
Session 5: Building Foundations for Esports Legislation
Fernvaille and Negentra Operations Manager Saygin Kolasinli will moderate the first panel of day two, discussing athletes’ rights, intellectual property issues, and other aspects of the developing world of Esports legislation.
Panel Discussion:
Jason Chung – Director, Esports & Gaming Initiative/Clinical Assistant Professor, NYU Tisch Institute for Global Sport
Brian Tae–Hyun Chung – Attorney, Kim & Chang
Lukasz Klimczyk – Partner, KKiW Law Office
Oh Pin-Ping – Partner, Bird & Bird ATMD LLP
Session 6: Developing Guidelines for Esports Conduct
North America Scholastic Esports Federation Executive Director Gerald Solomon will moderate the panel discussing the advancement of Esports as a traditional sport and the importance of fundamental education among athletes, teams, and content producers.
Panel Discussion:
Dr. Joey Gawrysiak – Director and Professor of Esports, Shenandoah University
Angelica Ortiz de Gortari – Lead Researcher, University of Bergen, SLATE
Ian Smith – Commissioner, Esports Integrity Commission
Guan Wang – President, Gen.G Global Academy
Session 7: The Benefits of Esports Infrastructure on Tourism
The Benefits of Esports Infrastructure on Tourism panel led by Head & Chairperson of the IESF Business Development & Partnership Commission Nalain Naidoo will evaluate the socio-economic benefits of government investment in Esports infrastructure, including the impact on tourism and other measures of success.
Panel Discussion:
Neil Johnson – VP & Managing Director, Gaming and Esports, Hospitality Performance Network Global
Cristian Nistor – World Esports 2023 Manager, City of Iasi, Romania
Yudistira Adipratama, SH., LL.M – Head of Law and Legislation, Pengurus Besar Esports Indonesia (PBESI)
Mariusz Jankowski – Director, Katowice City
Session 8: The Dynamic Roles of Esports Organizations
This panel will dive deep into the roles played by federations, associations, and other governing organizations to more effectively bring the World Esports family closer together. The panel will be moderated by IESF’s Secretary General, Boban Totovski
Panel Discussion:
Daniel Cossi – President, World Esports Consortium (WESCO)
Steve Tae Hyung Kim – Chief Operating Officer, Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) Vlad Marinescu – President, IESF
Vincent Pereira – Head of Virtual Sport and Gaming, International Olympic Committee (IOC) David Neichel – SVP Public Affairs, ESL FACEIT GROUP
The WE Summit is supported by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Busan Metropolitan City, and Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency. IESF has hosted the event every year since 2016 and is consistently advancing to support its members to the fullest and serve as an exchange platform for key Esports stakeholders worldwide to promote discussion, evolution, and good governance.
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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.
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eSports
McDonald’s Germany signs on as presenting partner for G2 NORD and G2 Hel
McDonald’s Germany has partnered with G2 as presenting partner of G2 NORD, the organisation’s League of Legends academy team competing in Germany’s Prime League. The deal also includes support for the return of G2 Hel, G2’s women’s League of Legends team.
Under the agreement, McDonald’s Germany branding, including the “ich liebe es” (I’m lovin’ it) tagline, will appear on G2 NORD and G2 Hel jerseys. The partners also plan a year-long content programme focused on player storytelling and behind-the-scenes access, including a series featuring team president Niklot “Tolkin” Stüber.
G2 positioned the partnership around its regional development pathway. G2 NORD was formed earlier this year through a collaboration between G2 and NORD Esports, and the organisation said the roster has already won the Prime League Winter Snowdown and reached the playoffs in its first EMEA Masters run.
The company said McDonald’s Germany’s backing enables G2 Hel’s return, with the team set to compete in the upcoming Game Changers circuit. “This partnership goes beyond traditional sponsorship, it’s a shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of talent development and creating meaningful opportunities within the space,” said Alban Dechelotte, CEO of G2. Stijn Mentrop-Huliselan, CMO of McDonald’s Germany, added: “We’re proud to support G2 Nord and to celebrate the return of G2 Hel – a strong signal for equity, visibility and inclusion in esports.”
To launch the collaboration, McDonald’s and G2 released an announcement video featuring Jankos, Sola, Tolkin, Team Nord and Caltys, produced in-house by G2. McDonald’s Germany said its lead agency Scholz & Friends supported the development and execution of the partnership.
The post McDonald’s Germany signs on as presenting partner for G2 NORD and G2 Hel appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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