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Final Countdown to IEM Katowice 2023 – everything fans need to know
With two more days to go before the Hall of Heroes opens its gates for fans to experience the legendary atmosphere of the Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) Katowice 2023 live, the tournament is entering its most crucial point. Over the last week, 24 of the best Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) teams from around the globe participated in a heated competition with only the top six progressing to the final stage. With the CS:GO teams finetuning their skills before their next battles, 36 of the world’s best StarCraft® II players now take the center stage. Over the next days, they will play against each other to claim the ESL Pro Tour Championship title.
Meanwhile, thousands of fans get ready to cheer on their CS:GO favorites in the sold-out Spodek Arena and their StarCraft® II idols in the International Congress Center (MCK), in Katowice, Poland. Moreover, they can look forward to the return of the free-to-enter IEM Expo, as the MCK will host one of the biggest trade shows in the region, the EFG Esports Forum, live ESL Impact and ESL R1 tournaments, and more.
ESL Pro Tour for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Championship
Yesterday, the Group Stage came to an end, and now the top six teams are making their way towards the final weekend. The competition proved that the best players in the world brought their A-game to Katowice, and the past week resulted in some big surprises.
To begin with, IEM Katowice 2022 title holders, FaZe Clan, will not be defending their title this year. In their last game of the Group Stage, the international squad faced Team Liquid, with the latter winning the match 2-1.
In the quarterfinals of the competition, Team Liquid will be joined by the IEM Rio 2022 Major Champion, Outsiders, and the ESL Pro League Season 16 winner, Team Vitality. The last spot was decided in a hit match between legendary snipers in Natus Vincere vs. G2 Esports, where the latter took a confident victory. While Natus Vincere proceeds to the quarterfinals starting on Friday, February 10, at 3:30 PM CET, G2 Esports joins team Heroic directly in the semi-finals. This penultimate phase will commence Saturday, February 11, at 3:30 PM CET.
With only two days left before history will be made, the top six competitors are now getting ready to show their world-class performances in the final stage of the ESL Pro Tour for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Championship and fight for the major share in the $1,000,000 prize pool.
For more information and a full overview of the participating teams, the talent lineup, and more, head to the official website and follow ESL CS on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Furthermore, make sure to tune in during the live broadcasts on the ESL CS channels on Twitch or YouTube, or via our dedicated broadcast partners.
ESL Pro Tour for StarCraft® II Championship
Today the Zealots, Marines and Zerglings are facing off under their commander’s supervision. 36 of the best StarCraft® II players in the world are competing in a grand tournament, fighting for the World Championship title and a total prize pool of $500,000. From February 10, the competition moves to a dedicated stage at the IEM Expo in the MCK as the contenders continue their extragalactic battle live on stage.
Head to the official website, and follow ESL SC2 on Twitter and Facebook, for additional details about the IEM Katowice 2023 StarCraft® II Championship, the full lineup of contenders, and more. The live transmissions of the competition will be available on the ESL SC2 channels on Twitch, Youtube and via our dedicated broadcast partners.
The return of the IEM Expo
For the first time in over three years, IEM Katowice returns in full glory along with the IEM Expo, filled with major highlights. Besides the StarCraft® II Championship and many other activities, this year’s IEM Expo features two additional esports competitions:
- This year marks the beginning of a new chapter for virtual racing fans. With a total prize pool of $500,000 for 2023, ESL R1 kicks off at IEM Katowice 2023 on February 11-12. This brand-new championship, co-created with RENNSPORT, will see 48 drivers from 12 teams compete in eight rounds in order to qualify for the ESL R1 Major. Make sure to check out the first two rounds of the 2023 Spring season which will be played out live at the IEM Expo.
- Starting its second year, the all-women CS:GO circuit, ESL Impact, makes its debut in Poland as eight of the best women CS:GO teams from around the world face each other in a standalone live event. Cheered on by their fans, the participating teams will fight for a prize pool of $100,000.
IEM Expo visitors also have the opportunity to check out the ESL Pro Tour for CS:GO Championship live in a dedicated area inside the Spodek Arena. Note that space is limited and that the entrance policy happens on a first come first serve basis.
The IEM Expo, however, is not only about esports – it is a shared celebration of passion, where fans of new technologies, gaming and pop-culture get to meet and create unforgettable memories. To support this, the free-of-charge event will host a renowned trade show where some of the largest brands from around the world will be present. Exhibitors have prepared numerous activities including free2play zones and competitions from brands such as Intel®, Komputronik Gaming, Monster Energy, Samsung, Microsoft, HyperX, Hewlett-Packard and more. Visitors can look forward to some of the newest titles in gaming, taking part in numerous tournaments and competitions and joining meet and greet sessions with influencers. Among the exhibitors are:
- The ESL LAN Party will host a set of activities form the zone’s partners including a chillout zone with view on StarCraft II stage, numerous hardware partners and a central zone including IEM Katowice’s first-ever Cosplay Competition led by Shappi Workshop.
- Lenovo Legion will create an experience benefiting from all aspects of the event as visitors have the opportunity to play and compete in some of the biggest competitive game titles, participate in product demonstrations by Polish tech influencers, and enjoy a spectacular concert of one of the most popular Polish rappers of the new generation – Smolasty – on February 10 from 5PM until 6PM.
- Nintendo’s distributor ConQuest entertainment has prepared a booth for you to have tons of fun with your Nintendo Switch console! Whether you are fighting a battle of colors in Splatoon 3, scoring points in Mario Strikers: Battle League Football, or trying out an array of sports in Nintendo Switch Sports, plenty of fun is guaranteed.
- RENNSPORT will bring two virtual racing rigs where you have the opportunity to drive in the future of virtual racing and to experience for yourself the game that the ESL R1 drivers are racing in.
Furthermore, IEM Katowice is creating an opportunity to celebrate, experience and learn. To emphasize this, the EFG Esports Forum features representatives of the esports and gaming industries, business partners, and opinions leaders who will discuss the future of the industry during two conference days:
- Friday, February 10 – “Esports Elevated. Trends and perspectives” – The first part of the forum is open for everyone interested in the esports industry, its business, and its future.
- Saturday, February 11 – “Video games and esports: an opportunity for Europe’s digital future. The example of Poland” – This second part focuses on the relationship between the esports industry and the economy – nationwide and local.
The beginning of the CS:GO tournament marks the 11th time ESL is returning to the Polish city of Katowice. The event marks the pinnacle of competition, emotions, and rivalry, while celebrating shared passion. Make sure to be part of this historic moment by joining us on-site in Katowice, tuning in during the live transmissions of the esports competitions, and following all events on the official EFG’s social media channels.
For more general information, make sure to follow ESL FACEIT Group and ESL on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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The world of sports betting and gaming is set for a major shake-up with the launch of GoldenRace’s innovative, new number game, Goal2Win, designed to captivate the massive global football audience. Goal2Win successfully bridges the gap between the universal passion for the “king of sports” and the proven thrill of number-based predictions, offering partners a fresh, high-potential product for monetisation.
Goal2Win is a premium offering that takes the familiar, classic number game format and integrates it with a dynamic, football-centric theme. This unique combination makes the game instantly recognisable yet excitingly new, appealing both to seasoned sports bettors and newcomers seeking an engaging, simplified experience.
Goal2Win is GoldenRace’s proposal to mix innovation and tradition. It offers operators a product that leverages the immense reach of football fandom while delivering the straightforward, engaging gameplay and massive win potential expected from a top-tier number game. It’s a compelling blend of excitement, simplicity, and significant reward potential.
Key features driving engagement and potential winnings:
Goal2Win is engineered for maximum player retention and high stakes, boasting dynamic gameplay and powerful features:
- Multiplier feature: Players can place the same set of bets across an impressive twenty-two consecutive events, significantly driving up potential winnings and ensuring sustained engagement over time.
- Jackpots and Mega Jackpots: The game includes tiered winnings with both standard Jackpots and highly coveted Mega Jackpots, promising life-changing sums and acting as a powerful player motivator.
- Quick picks: For rapid access to the action, the Quick picks option allows the system to randomly select numbers, streamlining the betting process for players.
- Row/Column selector: Enhancing the user experience, selector buttons enable players to easily pick an entire row or column of numbers, simplifying sophisticated betting.
Goal2Win represents a unique opportunity for operators to tap into the immense global football fanbase with a product that is both innovative and instantly recognisable. It stands poised to become a staple offering, driving higher stakes and attracting a broader demographic to the operators’ portfolio.
The post GoldenRace launches Goal2Win to bridge the gap between football and numbers appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Yaspa, the Pay by Bank fintech, today announced a partnership with PayAdmit, the London-based payment software provider and orchestrator used by merchants across eCommerce, iGaming and digital services. The integration brings Pay by Bank to PayAdmit’s platform, giving its merchants a faster, secure, cost-effective way to accept customer payments with real-time confirmation.
PayAdmit offers a modular payments stack that includes White Label, Cashier Service, Payment Bridge and Payment Concierge Service — a high-touch support layer for resolving payment issues in real time. The platform aggregates 350+ global payment methods and provides streamlined onboarding, enabling merchants to go live in as little as 14 days.
Adding Yaspa gives PayAdmit’s clients a high-conversion bank payment option built for speed, conversion and compliance.
Yaspa’s Head of Commercial, Amie Kadhim, said: “PayAdmit moves fast and sets a high bar on payment performance, reliability and checkout experience. We’re excited to power their next chapter with instant bank payments that are speedy, secure and deliver a smooth, mobile-first experience – boosting approval rates and settling funds immediately.”
For PayAdmit’s merchants, the integration with Yaspa delivers:
- Real-time deposit confirmation
- Lower processing costs versus traditional methods i.e. debit and credit cards
- Reduced fraud and chargeback risk with bank-level authentication
- A smoother mobile journey with no card details to key in
Yaspa’s benefits align with PayAdmit’s focus on performance, security and a modern, merchant-friendly toolkit.
Vladyslav Kolodistyi, CEO of PayAdmit added: “Our mission is to give merchants a flexible, future-proof payments stack. Partnering with Yaspa adds a best-in-class, instant bank payment option, so clients get higher conversion with less complexity.”
The post PayAdmit partners with Yaspa to integrate Pay by Bank on its payments platform appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Continent 8 Technologies, a leading provider of cutting-edge managed IT solutions designed for the global iGaming and online sports betting industry, announces the appointment of Julia Weygandt as Head of Client Growth & New Business.
Based in Malta, Julia will spearhead strategic initiatives to drive customer growth and capture new market opportunities globally, working closely with the existing Sales team and Practice Leads.
Julia brings over 20 years of experience in gaming, entertainment, and technology, with a proven track record in commercial strategy, international market expansion, and strategic partnerships. Her career includes senior roles such as COO at G Games and Tornado Games, and Head of International Partnerships at GAMOMAT, where she successfully scaled operations and delivered significant revenue growth.
Julia is an active advocate for diversity and leadership in gaming, serving as a Board member for Global Gaming Women and leading partnerships for the Behind the Gloves initiative, which combines boxing and corporate engagement to support charitable causes.
Nick Nally, Chief Revenue Officer at Continent 8 Technologies, commented: “Julia’s appointment reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional value and growth opportunities for our customers. Her deep industry knowledge, commercial acumen, and passion for building strong partnerships make her an outstanding addition to our team. We are excited to see the impact she will have as we continue to expand globally.”
Julia Weygandt, Head of Client Growth & New Business, added: “I’ve known the Continent 8 team for a long time; they are a trusted and respected partner to the world’s leading iGaming operators and suppliers, and I am thrilled to join at such an exciting time. My focus will be on driving client success through innovative solutions and strategic growth initiatives, ensuring we continue to lead in this fast-evolving industry.”
The post Continent 8 appoints Julia Weygandt as Head of Client Growth & New Business appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
