eSports
ESL Impact Season 5 invited teams revealed
Another exciting year for the all-women Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams and fans from around the world is about to begin. Announced at the end of last year, the ESL Impact 2024 Program, will feature two online league seasons, live Global Finals, and monthly Cash Cups on FACEIT. With the ESL Impact Season 5 ahead, we are thrilled to unveil more details of the upcoming tournament and elevate the competition to the highest.
ESL Impact was launched at the beginning of 2022 as one of the initiatives of ESL FACEIT Group’s (EFG) #GGFORALL. The program combines new and existing initiatives to tackle discrimination, promote mental well-being, and progress environmental sustainability in esports.
Commencing on March 6, 28 top all-women CS2 teams from EU, NA, and SA will battle it out to secure one of eight spots at this season’s Global Finals, a chance to win the lion’s share of the $150,000 prize pool and the coveted title. The ESL Impact Season 5 Global Finals will take place in front of a live audience at DreamHack Dallas on May 31 – June 2, 2024.
The following teams qualified for ESL Impact Season 5 based on their performance in previous tournaments:
Europe:
- 1WIN Gang
- ex 9Pandas Fearless9
- BIG EQUIPA
- GamerLegion Prism
- NAVI Javelins
- Nigma Galaxy
- Ninjas in Pyjamas
North America:
- FlyQuest Red
- Shimmer
- Team Karma
- Tsunami Sirens
South America
- Divina
- Fluxo Demons
- FURIA
- Atrix Esports
With 13 spots still up for grabs, teams from several regions can participate in the Open Qualifiers:
- Open Qualifier #1: February 12-14
- Open Qualifier #2: February 16-18
- Wildcard Qualifier: March 9th – 11th
For more information about ESL Impact Season 5, requalification, and Open Qualifiers, please visit the official website.
You can download imagery here.
Please let me know if you would like any more information.
All the best,
Tom
eSports
G2’s Otis Lawrence wins 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Championship
Welsh driver beats Ismael Fahssi by two points after a 12-round season running March 27 to May 28 with a $750,000 prize pool.
G2-backed Alpine Sim Racing driver Otis Lawrence has been crowned 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Champion after the season concluded on May 28.
The 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Championship ran from March 27 to May 28 and featured a $750,000 prize pool. Drivers representing Formula 1 teams competed across four events, starting with a live opener at DreamHack Birmingham.
The title was decided at the final event. Lawrence secured multiple race victories across 12 rounds and finished top of the standings.
Lawrence won the championship by two points ahead of Scuderia Ferrari HP Esports driver Ismael Fahssi. Reigning champion Jarno Opmeer of Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing placed third overall.
The post G2’s Otis Lawrence wins 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Championship appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
eSports
Esports Foundation books Paris Expo Porte de Versailles for Esports World Cup 2026
The Esports Foundation (EF) has confirmed Paris Expo Porte de Versailles as the venue for Esports World Cup 2026, scheduled to run in Paris, France, from July 06 through August 23.
EF said tickets for all 25 competitions will go on sale from Friday, May 29, 2026, via esportsworldcup.com/tickets. The organiser said the venue will host competition arenas, broadcast operations, and fan activations across the seven-week programme.
According to EF, more than 2,000 players from over 200 Clubs and more than 100 countries will compete for a $75 million prize pool as part of the event’s cross-game Club Championship. The tournament lineup spans major competitive genres, including first-person shooters, strategy, sports, MOBAs, battle royales, fighting games, racing games, and Chess.
EF also outlined ticketing tiers, including Regular Tournament Passes, Premium Tournament Passes (with fast-track entry and a limited-edition goodie bag), Daily Regular Tournament Passes, and tiered Final Day seating zones (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) for select championship matches across VALORANT, League of Legends, Rocket League, and Counter-Strike 2.
The published schedule lists Week 1 events including VALORANT (July 9–12), ALGS Year 6 Split 1 Playoffs (Apex Legends) (July 7–11), Dota 2 (July 7–12), and FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves (July 8–11), with Counter-Strike 2 closing out Week 7 from August 19–23 alongside Fortnite Reload Elite Series Championship, Trackmania, and CROSSFIRE.
The post Esports Foundation books Paris Expo Porte de Versailles for Esports World Cup 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
eSports
Esports Foundation sets Esports World Cup 2026 venue at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
Tickets go on sale May 29 for the seven-week Paris event running July 6 to August 23, with a $75 million prize pool across 25 competitions.
The Esports Foundation (EF) has confirmed Paris Expo Porte de Versailles as the venue for the Esports World Cup 2026, scheduled for July 06 through August 23 in Paris, France.
Ticket sales open Friday, May 29, 2026 via esportsworldcup.com/tickets. EF said the event will run for seven weeks and span 25 competitions, with more than 2,000 players from over 200 Clubs and more than 100 countries competing for a $75 million prize pool.
EF said Paris Expo Porte de Versailles will host competition arenas, broadcast operations, fan activations, and festival experiences. The organiser also pointed to the venue’s track record as the home of Paris Games Week since 2010 and as a site used during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Ticketing includes Regular Tournament Passes and Premium Tournament Passes, alongside Daily Regular Tournament Passes. For select championship matches across VALORANT, League of Legends, Rocket League, and Counter-Strike 2, EF said “Final Day Seating Zones” will be split into Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers.
The published schedule lists Week 1 events including VALORANT (July 9–12), ALGS Year 6 Split 1 Playoffs for Apex Legends (July 7–11), Dota 2 (July 7–12), and FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves (July 8–11), concluding in Week 7 with Counter-Strike 2 (August 19–23), Fortnite Reload Elite Series Championship (August 19–22), Trackmania (August 19–22), and CROSSFIRE (August 18–22).
The post Esports Foundation sets Esports World Cup 2026 venue at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Asia5 days agoS8UL streamer Payal Dhare and OWND! launch gamer-curated fashion capsule
-
Asia5 days agoS8UL Announces Campa Energy as Title Sponsor for its Esports World Cup 2026 Campaign
-
Asia5 days agoEGT Digital to Debut Highly Anticipated “TNT Jack” Slot at SiGMA Asia 2026
-
Compliance Updates5 days agoPA Gaming Control Board Levies Fines Totaling $180,000
-
content-supplier4 days agoPragmatic Play adds football theme to Big Bass series with new slot
-
Amatic Industries5 days agoAmatic Industries to Participate in Belgrade Future Gaming Show
-
ANJL4 days agoBetting in Brazil under credit restrictions and regulatory debates
-
Africa4 days agoMozzartBet is Live on Fast Track’s AI-native CRM Platform



