eSports
LIV Golf to present the Esports Awards Open 2023
The Esports Awards presented by Lexus, the most prestigious night in the esports calendar, is excited to announce its latest partner: LIV Golf, the groundbreaking global league that is changing the game of golf. Together, the Esports Awards and LIV Golf will create events organised around the ceremony including the highly anticipated Esports Awards Open, which will play host to some of the biggest esports organisations and influencers.
Taking place at one of the most popular golf resorts in Nevada, the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, the Esports Awards Open, powered by LIV Golf, is an opportunity for members of the gaming industry and beyond to foster friendships, collaboration, and innovation. Set at the base of the beautiful Spring Mountains, Paiute Golf Resort is a must-visit Las Vegas golf destination courtesy of the 3 on-site Pete Dye designed golf courses.
This marks the third iteration of the Esports Awards Open. Famously the event has seen tremendous success, attracting a wealth of gamers, influencers, sports stars, and pro players with previous guests including 2020 U.S. Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau (captain of 2023 LIV Golf Team Champions Crushers GC), 100 Thieves’ Matthew ‘Nadeshot’ Haag, OpTic’s Raymond “Rambo” Lussier, Rich ‘shibbyy’ Webb, and Amazon Prime star Robbie Amell.
“I’m delighted to welcome LIV Golf into the Esports Awards family. Together, we’ll bridge the gap between sports stars, celebrities, and gaming professionals to bring unforgettable experiences to Las Vegas next week,” comment Michael Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards, “The Esports Awards Open is a tradition we absolutely adore, it sets out to bring all types of members of the industry, and those interested in the industry, together for a day of fun filled golfing. See you on the green in Las Vegas next week!”
Alongside this news, the Esports Awards have revealed their full cast of talented hosts who will take fans across the globe on a journey through this year’s awards ceremony. With returning fan favourites alongside previous award winners themselves, this year’s lineup reflects the Esports Awards dedication to excellence in the industry. The lineup includes:
Guiding fans, finalists, celebrities and more through the red carpet and Esports Awards Village is:
Elyse “Herculyse” Herrera
Salome “Soe” Gschwind-Repp
Evan “Raynday” Raynr
Phil ‘EEVisu’ Visu
Hosting the pre-awards show is:
Daniel “dGon” Gonzales
Lottie Van-Praag
Caleb “WavePunk” Simmons
James Dash
Taking centre stage as main hosts of the ceremony is:
Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez
Miles Ross
Hosting the post-awards show, and the highly anticipated world record attempt, is:
Daniel “dGon” Gonzales
Lottie Van-Praag
Caleb “WavePunk” Simmons
James Dash
The Esports Awards ceremony, presented by Lexus, is the highlight of a thrilling three-day celebration including the PWR UP Las Vegas esports conference, hosted at the luxurious Resorts World Las Vegas. The ultimate esports, tech and gaming extravaganza will feature groundbreaking events like the Esports Awards Open, a unique golf tournament that blends networking and entertainment with industry leaders and celebrities, shaping the future of esports, tech, and gaming.
Following the ceremony, a glamorous after-party awaits attendees. Limited seats are available, so interested individuals are urged to contact the Esports Awards organisers promptly to secure their tickets and confirm their attendance.
The Esports Awards presented by Lexus 2023 campaign key dates:
25th November: Voting closes for Esports PC Player, Esports Organisation presented by Lexus and Esports Team of the Year
27th & 28th November: Inaugural Scholars
29th & 30th November: Esports Awards presented by Lexus 2023
The 2023 Esports Awards presented by Lexus is brought to you in partnership with Xfinity, Oakley, 5GRV, and XIX Vodka.
eSports
TEAM VITALITY RETURNS TO FORTNITE WITH WORLD CHAMPION PLAYERS
Team Vitality has officially returned to competitive Fortnite after a three-season absence, unveiling a high-profile roster built around world championship pedigree and international ambitions.
The organisation’s comeback is anchored by two champions from the Fortnite Championship Series, alongside an experienced figure from the French competitive scene who will guide the team’s performance and community engagement.
Championship pedigree joins the roster
Egor “SwizzY” Luciko, a 2025 FNCS World Champion, joins as one of the scene’s most promising young competitors, recognised for his fast-paced mechanical play and strong performances on major stages. He is joined by fellow 2025 FNCS World Champion Aleksa “Queasy” Cvetkovic, widely regarded for his consistency and strategic approach at the highest level of competition.
Former French professional player Clément “Skite” Danglot completes the lineup as Team Manager and Coach. In addition to overseeing competitive operations, Skite will co-stream official matches, offering fans expert analysis throughout the season.
Team Vitality President Fabien “Neo” Devide described the return as a performance-driven project aligned with the organisation’s long-term vision of excellence, combining elite talent with experienced leadership to compete at the highest level.
Strategic focus on global competition
The organisation’s return is closely tied to its ambitions on the international stage, particularly qualification for the Esports World Cup in Riyadh and continued success across FNCS competitions. The announcement follows the introduction of Fortnite Reload mode at the Esports World Cup, which has further strengthened the club’s commitment to the title.
Beyond competition, Team Vitality aims to position its Fortnite revival as a community-focused initiative. Skite’s live broadcasts and analysis are intended to provide fans with deeper insight into the team’s progress from qualification stages through major international events.
Global Operations Director Danny Engels emphasized that the organisation’s return signals broader strategic growth across multiple esports titles, with a clear objective of securing international trophies and reinforcing Team Vitality’s presence at the top tier of global competition.
With a championship-calibre roster and renewed competitive focus, Team Vitality enters a new phase in Fortnite with ambitions to re-establish itself among the world’s elite teams.
The post TEAM VITALITY RETURNS TO FORTNITE WITH WORLD CHAMPION PLAYERS appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
eSports
Reckoning Esports and GodLike Esports to Represent India at the Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2026 in Japan
Indian Pokémon UNITE esports is set for a return to international competition as Reckoning Esports and GodLike Esports secure qualification for the Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2026 in Japan.
Both teams advanced through India’s official Pokémon UNITE competitive circuit, organised by Skyesports in partnership with The Pokémon Company.
Reckoning Esports claimed India’s primary slot by winning the Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2026 – India League, a $20,000 multi-stage online competition featuring ten of the country’s leading esports organisations. The tournament adopted a circuit-based group stage across five matchdays before concluding with King of the Hill Playoffs.
In a tightly contested grand final, Reckoning Esports defeated GodLike Esports 3–2 to secure the championship and confirm their place at the PUACL Finals.
Reckoning Esports player Jeet “Swifty” Kundra said the victory reflected the team’s resilience throughout the season, adding that representing India on the international stage is both an honour and a significant challenge.
GodLike Esports secured India’s second qualification slot through the Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament 2026 – India, an additional pathway featuring open qualifiers that welcomed both established organisations and emerging teams.
After their narrow India League defeat, GodLike Esports delivered a dominant performance in the single-elimination bracket, drawing on experience to capture the title. Their run included a decisive 3–0 victory over underdog finalist Orange Flag, one of the tournament’s breakout performers.
GodLike Esports player Om “Scepter” Gore said the team used its earlier loss as motivation, emphasizing confidence and consistency as key factors behind their qualification. Founder and CEO Chetan “Kronten” Chandgude described the achievement as a milestone for both the organisation and the wider Indian esports community.
The Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2026 Finals will take place on March 28–29 at Yokohama BUNTAI. Reckoning Esports and GodLike Esports will join 16 teams competing for the championship title and a share of the $200,000 prize pool.
The post Reckoning Esports and GodLike Esports to Represent India at the Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2026 in Japan appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Call of Duty Warzone esports
Team Vitality Expands FPS Dominance Ahead of Esports World Cup 2026 With PUBG, Warzone and CrossFire Entry
Team Vitality Accelerates FPS Expansion Ahead of Esports World Cup 2026
Team Vitality has officially announced a major competitive expansion ahead of the 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC), confirming its entry into three additional shooter titles: PUBG (PC), Call of Duty: Warzone, and CrossFire. The move strengthens the organisation’s growing dominance across FPS and tactical shooter esports, following championship success in Counter-Strike and VALORANT during the 2025 season.
The expansion signals a decisive strategic push as Team Vitality looks to build on its Top 3 overall club finish at the 2025 Esports World Cup, positioning itself as one of the most versatile and ambitious multi-title organisations in global esports.
Call of Duty: Warzone – Vitality Returns With Proven EWC Pedigree
Team Vitality is officially re-entering the competitive Call of Duty: Warzone ecosystem for the 2026 season, assembling a veteran-heavy roster built for immediate impact. The lineup includes Angel “Sage” Quinones, who secured a third-place finish at last year’s Esports World Cup, alongside experienced EWC finalists.
The new Warzone squad begins its EWC qualification journey through the Warzone Resurgence Series, with two pivotal LAN finals scheduled at DreamHack Birmingham and DreamHack Atlanta. Strong performances at these events will be crucial in securing Team Vitality valuable points and a place at the 2026 Esports World Cup.
Call of Duty: Warzone Roster
- Rasim “Blazt” Ogresevic (USA)
- Logan “Skullface” Greifelt (USA)
- Angel “Sage” Quinones (Mexico / Guatemala)
- Ethan “Ebatez” Bates (USA) – Coach
PUBG (PC) – A Strategic Return to a Global Esports Pillar
Team Vitality is making its long-awaited return to PUBG (PC) competition, marking its first appearance in the title since 2019. The roster is anchored by players recently competing under the Nemiga banner, who finished sixth at the PUBG Global Championship, reinforcing Vitality’s intent to compete at the highest international level.
This return also unlocks strategic synergies with Bigetron by Vitality, the organisation’s established PUBG Mobile powerhouse in Southeast Asia. As PUBG’s global ecosystem increasingly bridges PC and Mobile competition, Team Vitality aims to unite its worldwide fanbase and elevate brand visibility across both platforms.
PUBG (PC) Roster
- Aliaksandr “Gedrox” Puchko (Belarus)
- Vladislav “Lev4nte” Tasenko (Russia)
- Andrey “Qw1zzy” Pobedinskiy (Russia)
- Artem “hallomybad” Baskakov (Russia)
- Ramazan “H1RUZEN” Valiullin (Russia) – Coach
- Sergei “MrTok” Britok (Russia) – Manager
CrossFire – Entering a New Region With Championship Ambitions
Expanding into CrossFire for the first time, Team Vitality has acquired ROC Esports’ former lineup, establishing its operations in Egypt with a dedicated gaming house. The squad will compete in the CrossFire West League (EMEA), with two critical competitive splits scheduled for March–April and June–July.
Success in the regional league is expected to be the gateway to qualification for the Esports World Cup, while long-term ambitions stretch further toward the CrossFire Stars World Championship in China. Team Vitality enters the ecosystem as a dangerous challenger, targeting dominance beyond regional competition.
CrossFire Roster
- Youssef “tottziN” Nasser (Egypt)
- Ahmed “SNARE” Salah (Egypt)
- Mohamed “Snake” Ahmed (Egypt)
- Mohamed “Horus” Mahrous (Egypt)
- Abdelrahman “slayer” Fawzy (Egypt)
- Andrei “strey” Solovev (Russia) – Coach
- Kislay “Drolo” Satyaj (India) – General Manager
- Ammar “Apps” Ahmed (Egypt) – Substitute
- Abdelrhman “Bone” Mahmoud (Egypt) – Substitute
Building Toward a New FPS Dynasty
With momentum from a Top 3 finish at the 2025 Esports World Cup, Team Vitality is targeting even greater success in 2026, driven by the belief that every win counts.
Fabien “Neo” Devide, President and Co-founder of Team Vitality, commented that the expansion reflects the organisation’s commitment to elite competition and long-term growth across shooter esports. Corporate Director of Global Operations Danny Engels added that the move strengthens Vitality’s position to build a true multi-title FPS dynasty on the world’s biggest competitive stage.
As the countdown to the 2026 Esports World Cup begins, Team Vitality’s expanded shooter portfolio signals a clear message to rivals: the organisation is all-in on global FPS supremacy.
The post Team Vitality Expands FPS Dominance Ahead of Esports World Cup 2026 With PUBG, Warzone and CrossFire Entry appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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