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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Aquisitions/Mergers
The Chiliz Group acquires OG Esports, reuniting with original co-founders to launch new era

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Chiliz Group acquires 51% of OG Esports, investing to grow the team, expand operations, and strengthen fan and player engagement.
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Xavier Oswald, a former co-founder and shareholder of OG, becomes CEO, while OG co-founders Johan “n0tail” Sundstein and Sébastien “Ceb” Debs launch a new strategic project consolidating the team’s competitive foundation.
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Socios.com becomes the exclusive platform for $OG Fan Tokens, $OG will act as the showcase for blockchain-based utility.
The Chiliz Group, the world’s leading blockchain provider for the sports and entertainment industry and operator of Socios.com, today announced it has acquired a 51% controlling stake in OG Esports, one of the most iconic and innovative names in global esports.
Founded in 2015 by legendary Dota 2 players Johan “n0tail” Sundstein and Sébastien “Ceb” Debs, OG is the first team in history to win back-to-back titles at The International. Since then, OG has expanded into Counter-Strike, Honor of Kings and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, building one of the most successful and culturally significant organisations in esports.
OG has a track record of delivering a fan-driven culture through innovation and launched the $OG Fan Token in 2020. The $OG Fan Token recently became the first esports Fan Token to surpass a $100 million market capitalization, driven by surging global demand for digital fan assets. Having delivered exclusive voting rights, VIP experiences, merchandise, and direct access to the team for fans worldwide, $OG represents a thriving $100m+ digital fan economy.
As part of the acquisition, Xavier Oswald will take on the role of CEO of OG, guiding the organisation into its next chapter, while co-founders Johan “n0tail” Sundstein and Sébastien “Ceb” Debs will lead a new strategic project consolidating the team’s competitive foundation, driving innovation at the intersection of esports and Web3.
At the same time, Socios.com will become the exclusive wallet and engagement platform for $OG Fan Tokens, establishing $OG as the flagship example of the new fan economy. The token will now showcase how fan assets can evolve – serving as the blockchain layer for tickets, merchandise, in-stadium perks, and digital content, while also integrating real-world assets and club revenues through mechanisms like buybacks to deliver deeper influence and tangible value to supporters.
Through The Chiliz Group’s global network of more than 80 leading sports properties, OG will now be able to expand into new countries and markets, building a larger international footprint and new commercial opportunities. Backed by the financial strength of a global group, OG will become more resilient and sustainable, ensuring long-term stability while focusing on what matters most: players, fans, and innovation.
More details about the acquisition will be released in the coming weeks.
“OG has always been about community and innovation, and since 2020 it has demonstrated that Fan Tokens can create genuine economic value and meaningful engagement,” said Alex Dreyfus, CEO and Founder of Chiliz. “With a $100 million fan token economy already established, OG represents the perfect case study for what’s truly possible when we place Fan Tokens at the centre of the fan economy. This acquisition allows us to showcase the next evolution – Fan Tokens 2.0.”
“This marks the start of a bold new era for OG,” said Xavier Oswald, incoming CEO of OG. “With Chiliz as our majority partner, we can scale our teams, grow our global community, and unlock a new dimension of engagement through the $OG Fan Token. We’ve always believed that fans should be at the centre of everything we do, and now we have the tools and the backing to make that vision a reality.”
“With Chiliz, we share a common vision based on strong values: passion, transparency, and the power of communities.” said Johan “N0tail” Sundstein, co-founder and historic figure of OG Esports. “From winning back-to-back Internationals to competing against OpenAI Five in a world-first showcase of human-AI collaboration, OG has always been about pushing boundaries. This alliance will allow us to stay true to our identity while continuing to grow.”
“This agreement marks the beginning of a new competitive cycle,’ added Sébastien “Ceb” Debs, two-time world champion with OG. “We want to once again become a major force on the international stage and inspire a new generation of players and fans. With the support of Chiliz, we now have the means to build an ambitious and sustainable project.”
The post The Chiliz Group acquires OG Esports, reuniting with original co-founders to launch new era appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
Global Esports Federation Launches its Innovation & Research Centre in Athens

The Global Esports Federation has launched its Innovation & Research Centre (IRC) in Athens, Greece, in collaboration with Socialinnov, a non-profit organisation dedicated to digital empowerment and social entrepreneurship.
The GEF Innovation & Research Centres are envisioned as collaborative spaces where technology, creativity and innovation converge to unlock human potential in the digital era. They will anchor forward-looking programmes that connect esports with education, wellness and opportunities in adjacent industries.
The Athens IRC anchors this global network, strengthening local ecosystems, enabling cooperation across regions and expanding opportunities in esports, gaming, technology and entertainment.
Thanos Karagrounas, GEF Chief Impact Officer, said: “The launch of our Innovation & Research Center in Athens is a milestone in the GEF’s journey to shape an inclusive and impactful future for esports. By combining Socialinnov’s deep expertise in digital empowerment with the GEF’s international network, we will unlock new opportunities for innovation, education, and investment – with people at the center of everything we do.”
“We are proud to partner with the Global Esports Federation to bring the GEF Innovation & Research Center to Athens. This collaboration reflects our mission to empower individuals and communities with the skills and tools needed to thrive in the digital age. Together, we will cultivate new pathways for youth, educators, and entrepreneurs to engage with technology, esports, and innovation on a global scale,” said Stella Psarrou, Director, Socialinnov.
Leveraging Greece’s growing digital ecosystem and Socialinnov’s expertise in education, youth empowerment and SME support, the Athens IRC will serve as a platform to develop strategies, programmes and investment opportunities focused on responsible gaming, holistic wellness and sustainable career pathways in esports and beyond.
The post Global Esports Federation Launches its Innovation & Research Centre in Athens appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
EEF Strengthens Ties with Paralympic Leaders

The European Esports Federation (EEF) has strengthened its ties with the Paralympic leaders. On September 2, EEF Secretary General Łukasz Klimczyk and Board Member Karol Cagan, held a meeting with Mr. Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and Mr. Tomas Varga, Executive Committee member at the European Paralympic Committee (EPC). The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Slovak Olympic Committee, following official celebration of 30th anniversary of the Slovak Paralympic Committee.
Discussions focused on exploring opportunities for closer cooperation between EEF, IPC and EPC, particularly in the areas of competition, prevention and educational initiatives. EEF remains committed to strengthening partnerships that support the values of inclusion, fair play and the development of parasport across Europe.
Importantly, esports offers unique opportunities for athletes with disabilities by removing many of the physical barriers present in traditional sports. With accessible technologies and adaptive solutions, esports can provide a level playing field where performance depends primarily on skill, strategy and teamwork.
The post EEF Strengthens Ties with Paralympic Leaders appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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