eSports
F1 Esports Series presented by Aramco breaks viewing and engagement records in 2021
Following today’s announcement of the 2021 F1 season’s audience and attendance figures, we can confirm that the 2021 F1 Esports Series presented by Aramco has broken viewership and engagement records – building upon the huge momentum gathered in 2020. The full series, which ran throughout 2021, achieved over 23 million views across digital platforms, a +103% YOY increase.
Digital & TV:
The Series’ flagship event, the Pro Championship, was the main contributor to the large proportion of the 23m digital views with 13.8m views, representing a 47% increase from 2020. The remaining views were split across the F1 Esports Series’ mix of output, including the return of the F1 Esports Series Challengers, as well as the Pro Exhibition and Preview Show.
Each Event of the 2021 Pro Championship subsequently broke the previous Event’s viewing record, culminating in 4.5m views for December’s Grand Final, up 67% YoY, which saw Jarno Opmeer clinch his second consecutive Drivers’ Championship, this time for Mercedes, who also secured the Teams’ title for the first time since 2018.
In addition to digital viewership, the cumulative TV audience for the whole of the Pro Championship and the Preview Show, reached an estimated 858k – more than three times the total audience for the 2020 series (269k).
Social media:
The social media output from the F1 Esports Series continues to be commended for the high quality of content that supports the action, and is highlighted by the fact that engagements, impressions, and video views all significantly increased last year compared to the 2020 season.
Across the Pro Championship events in 2021, there were 10.5m engagements on the official F1 Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Twitch and Huya channels – more than double the 4m total in 2020. The content also received 458m impressions, and 4.1m video views, increasing on 2020 by 93% and 71% respectively.
The future of the F1 Esports Series presented by Aramco:
The excitement and drama of real-world racing was replicated in the virtual world with fans wanting more and more action, and enjoyment across the 2021 Pro Championship was very strong, with an average of 70% giving scores of 8 (or above) out of 10 for each race in a post-season survey – a significant increase on both 2019 (64%) and 2020 (55%). The F1 Esports Series Pro Championship presented by Aramco will return in the second half of 2022, with more updates to follow soon.
Action in 2022 is already well underway, with the F1 Esports Series Challengers starting in January, with events for Xbox, PC and PlayStation competitors taking place every fortnight as competitors look to qualify for this year’s Pro Exhibition. As previously reported, a record 494k participants attempted to qualify in 2021, which was a 108% increase on the previous year.
Ben Pincus, Director of Commercial Partnerships at Formula 1, said:
“It is fantastic to see the F1 Esports Series presented by Aramco break records across the board once again, crowning a brilliant year of action throughout our virtual racing. Not only are we seeing competition at the highest level, but thanks to the increased content output across our social channels, our strong community of fans has never been more engaged.”
Paul Jeal, F1 Senior Franchise Director at Codemasters, said:
“It’s an incredible time to be associated with Formula 1, and we are extremely proud of the continued growth of the F1 Esports Series presented by Aramco. The quality of the racing has kept us all enthralled, and congratulations again to our champions Jarno Opmeer and Mercedes. Each year, we are driving new players into our game. The dream of getting to sign and race for a Formula 1 team is driving up participation, and the emerging talent coming up through the 2022 Challengers is a testament to that.”
John Clarke, CEO at Gfinity, said:
“The significant increase in viewership of the F1 Esports Series presented by Aramco is due to a growing passion for virtual racing and the appeal of all things Formula 1 amongst young gamers. The drivers are at the peak of their powers and the racing is competitive and exciting, and they are becoming true social media personalities. This is great news for the future of F1 Esports.”
Skyesports announced today that iQOO has joined the Skyesports Championship 2025, India’s longest-running homegrown esports IP, as the title sponsor for the BGMI Grand Finals.
Scheduled to take place from May 15th to 18th, 2025, the Grand Finals will feature the top 16 teams from across India, narrowed down through open qualifiers that attracted thousands of aspiring players from all parts of the country, competing for the ultimate title and a share of the INR 17.5 lakhs prize pool.
With India’s best teams in action, the Grand Finals serve as the perfect platform to highlight the iQOO Neo 10, the fastest smartphone in the segment, powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor. The device enables esports-level gaming with 144 FPS, making it well-suited for high-performance mobile competition.
iQOO Neo 10 joins industry leading brands including ‘powered by’ partner AMD along with associate partners, Western Digital, Red Bull, and GIGABYTE.
Adding to the excitement, the iQOO Neo 10 Skyesports Championship Grand Finals will introduce a unique and never-seen-before format in BGMI esports: the Sky Champ Rule. Under this format, teams must reach a points threshold and then secure a winner-winner chicken dinner (WWCD) to be crowned champions of the tournament.
This innovative structure brings an added layer of strategy and unpredictability to the final stage. The tournament has already surpassed 25 million views and hit a peak concurrent viewership of over 100,000, showcasing the growing anticipation for the Grand Finals.
Commenting on the partnership, Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO, Skyesports, said: “The Skyesports Championship has grown into one of the largest and most recognizable esports IPs in India, consistently bringing together top talent from across the country. It’s this scale, reach, and grassroots foundation that makes the IP a compelling platform for leading brands like iQOO to engage with the gaming community. We’re excited to have them on board as the title sponsor for the Grand Finals and look forward to delivering an unforgettable last stage through our unique Sky Champ format.”
The 16 qualified teams for the iQOO Neo 10 Skyesports Championship Grand Finals are:
- Vasista Esports
- True Rippers
- Learn From Past
- Cincinnati Kids
- Money Makerz
- Rising Inferno Esports
- Wyld Fans
- Autobotz Esports
- Gods Reign
- Alibaba Raiders
- 4Merical Esports
- Team iQOO Soul
- Team iQOO 8Bit
- Blitz Esports
- RivalryxNRI
- Team Versatile
The iQOO Neo 10 Skyesports Championship 2025 BGMI Grand Finals will be streamed exclusively on the Skyesports YouTube channel from May 15th to 18th, 2025. Fans tuning in will also stand a chance to win exciting prizes, with further details to be revealed during the livestream.
The post iQOO Neo 10 Named Title Sponsor of the Skyesports Championship 2025 BGMI Grand Finals appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
Esports World Cup Foundation Welcomes OBSBOT as Official Camera and Webcam Partner for Esports World Cup 2025
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced OBSBOT, as an official camera and webcam partner for the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, set to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this summer. The two-year partnership will integrate OBSBOT’s next-generation AI camera technologies into the EWC’s production capabilities, providing enhanced video quality and immersive experiences for millions of fans around the world. The partnership supports the EWC’s broader strategy to connect Chinese esports with its global ecosystem, strengthening ties with one of the world’s most dynamic gaming markets and bringing the best of China’s innovation to the global esports stage.
The 2025 Esports World Cup will spotlight every player’s journey, showcasing their skill, competitive excellence and relentless pursuit of victory. OBSBOT will support this vision by outfitting player areas, streaming stations, and venue activations with its latest devices, the Tail 2 smart-tracking camera and the Tiny 2 webcam, both designed with esports creators in mind.
“The Esports World Cup is built on innovation, and technology plays a crucial role in creating unforgettable moments for players, Clubs and fans,” said Mohammed Al Nimer, Senior Sales Director, Esports World Cup Foundation. “Our partnership with OBSBOT is at the heart of this vision. Its cutting-edge camera technology demonstrates the power of AI in esports today, capturing the intensity and emotion that defines competition at this level and bringing fans into the moment. We are thrilled to have OBSBOT as our Official Camera and Webcam Partner as we continue raising the bar for esports experiences worldwide.”
OBSBOT offers standout solutions like the Tail 2 and Tiny 2. Tail 2, a 4K PTZR live production camera powered by AI Tracking 2.0, delivers smooth, cinematic shots with minimal manual input and integrates seamlessly with professional broadcasting environments through NDI and other pro-grade outputs. The Tiny 2, the flagship webcam in OBSBOT’s lineup, provides exceptional image quality and unparalleled tracking performance in a compact desktop form. Whether on stage or at the desk, OBSBOT’s technology ensures streamers can stay focused on the game while the camera keeps up.
“We believe that everyone’s story deserves to be seen and shared, and the Esports World Cup provides the perfect platform for us to showcase our vision,” said Liu Bo, CEO & Founder of OBSBOT. “Through our partnership with the Esports World Cup, we are bringing our cutting-edge AI-powered camera technology to millions of gamers and content creators, celebrating the excitement, drama, and triumphs of elite competition on the world’s biggest stage. This collaboration is about more than just capturing moments; it’s about empowering a new generation of storytellers to create, share, and inspire with professional-grade tools that are as dynamic as the esports community itself.”
Returning to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 to August 24, 2025, the Esports World Cup will unite global gaming communities for a celebration of esports culture. With 25 tournaments across 24 games, 2,000 elite players, and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries, the EWC will feature the largest prize pool in esports history, over $70 million. Fans can expect exclusive experiences, from high-stakes competition to live music, anime cafes, retro arcades, cosplay, and more, drawing millions of fans online and in person.
The post Esports World Cup Foundation Welcomes OBSBOT as Official Camera and Webcam Partner for Esports World Cup 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2025 Split 2 set to kick off on May 16 with a prize pool of INR 29 lakhs
The top 8 teams battle for a spot at the Split 2 LAN finals on May 31 and June 1
The stage is set for the OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2025 Split 2 (OMEN VCSA Split 2) as eight of the region’s finest VALORANT teams prepare to clash for glory and a prize pool of INR 29 lakhs. Organised by NODWIN Gaming, a leader in the global esports and gaming ecosystem, in collaboration with Riot Games, makers of the globally acclaimed title, VALORANT, Split 2 of the OMEN VCSA will feature three weeks of high-octane action.
Following a highly competitive Split 1 that amassed over 10 million views across platforms, the tournament enters a critical phase with heightened stakes. Of the eight remaining teams, only the top three will secure a place at the LAN Finals, where they will compete not only for the championship title and prize pool but also for essential Challenger Points that play a decisive role in their qualification journey toward VCT Ascension Pacific 2025.
From the Organizers
Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder & Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming: “The OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia is part of a growing ecosystem that’s being shaped by the passion of our players, the energy of the community, and the support of our partners. Split 1 has already shown just how strong that foundation is, with great viewership and fan engagement. As we move ahead, the focus is on creating more opportunities for players and putting South Asia firmly on the global VALORANT map. The potential here is massive—and we’re just getting started.”
Sukamal Pegu, Esports Lead, South Asia, Riot Games: “Split 1 of the OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2025 laid a strong foundation, elevating the competitive bar and uncovering standout talent from across the region. As we move into Split 2, we expect the intensity to rise even further. At Riot Games, our vision is to build a sustainable esports ecosystem in South Asia, one that empowers players, engages fans, and creates a clear pathway to bigger stages in the VCT (VALORANT Champions Tour) Circuits like the OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia are central to that vision, and Split 2 represents another key milestone in shaping the future of competitive VALORANT in the region.”
Prize Pool Distribution:
- Split 2 Winner: ₹12,15,000
- Runner-up: ₹6,48,000
- 3rd Place: ₹4,45,500
- 4th Place: ₹2,43,000
- 5th Place: ₹1,21,500
- 6th Place: ₹1,21,500
- 7th Place: ₹81,000
- 8th Place: ₹81,000
Opening Matches:
- May 16, 2025 | 3:00 PM: Velocity Gaming vs Asterisk
- May 16, 2025 | 6:00 PM: Reckoning Esports vs GE Academy
- May 17, 2025 | 3:00 PM: Revenant x Spark vs XO IND
- May 17, 2025 | 6:00 PM: DotExe Esports vs S8UL Esports (BO3)
An Invitation to the Community
NODWIN Gaming and Riot Games welcome fans, players, and esports enthusiasts from across the region to be a part of the OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2025. With three high-stakes splits offering a shot at VCT Ascension Pacific 2025, the tournament marks a major step forward for VALORANT esports in the region.
Together, NODWIN Gaming and Riot Games continue to strengthen the esports ecosystem in South Asia, amplifying player stories, uncovering new talent, and uniting fans in celebration of esports brilliance.
Check out the thrilling broadcast of the OMEN VCSA 2025 on the following links :-
Hindi and English broadcast on NODWIN Gaming’s Official YouTube Channel
Hindi Broadcast on NODWIN Gaming’s Official Facebook Page
___________________________________________________________________________
OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2025 Split 2 – Teams & Rosters
| Team Name | Players |
| Velocity Gaming | Russ |
| Lightningf | |
| SkRossi | |
| damaraa | |
| Madelyn | |
| SynX | |
| Coach – GodspeedxD | |
| Revenant XSpark | Antidote |
| Rawfiul | |
| DEATHMAKER | |
| Azys | |
| Georgyy | |
| venka | |
| Coach – Gobz | |
| Reckoning Esports | Paradox |
| Deadly10 | |
| Trickyy | |
| Bgg | |
| moner | |
| Garv | |
| Mojo | |
| Coach – Inthra | |
| GE Academy | kibojn |
| r1seN | |
| Envy2k | |
| LilBOii | |
| Yuvi | |
| SmokeA | |
| Coach – aRubyz | |
| S8UL | Hellff |
| k1ngkappa | |
| miz | |
| techno | |
| HYBR1DD | |
| Hoax | |
| Coach – HellrangeR | |
| DotExe Esports | RvK |
| Makaveli | |
| Trinity | |
| deecee | |
| Kohli | |
| TERMI | |
| Sanak | |
| Coach -AYAN | |
| Asterisk | Bullet |
| YasH | |
| haeart | |
| rinsat | |
| Enzyy | |
| Homeboy | |
| PRIME | |
| Coach -Sieh | |
| XO IND | ShivamVLR |
| DOXZ3RRR | |
| tryst | |
| ScaR | |
| Marcai | |
| RozsteR | |
| GauRanG | |
| Coach -darksoul |
—————————————————-
The post OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2025 Split 2 set to kick off on May 16 with a prize pool of INR 29 lakhs appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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