eSports
The Global Esports Federation Teams Up With Global Sports Innovation Center Powered by Microsoft
The Global Esports Federation marks a powerful milestone with the announcement of a strategic partnership with Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft (GSIC). This latest alliance enables the GEF to further leverage the expert knowledge of GSIC to innovate and contribute to the future development of esports – deepening the engagement within the esports community across various touchpoints.
“Esports has been on a significant upward trajectory for some time now and has a unique opportunity for continued expansion. The partnership with GSIC enables the GEF to further bridge the connection and networks between esports and traditional sport through the responsible use of technology for good,” said Chris Overholt, Chair, Digital, Technology and Innovation Commission, Global Esports Federation. “We are excited about the future of esports, and through this alliance, we can accelerate our digital capabilities and elevate our position as a leader.”
The GEF will leverage on GSIC’s expertise in digital transformation and innovation, alongside the Federation’s aim to convene the esports community on the world stage, empowering greater engagement with athletes and players, intensifying international commercial focus, and offering an immersive spectator experience in esports.
“The growth of esports and its prevalence has never been more robust, particular during this time. The world sports industry has begun to see the blurring of lines between esports and traditional sport. We look forward to working with the GEF, the convening body of the world’s esports ecosystem, to support the innovation in esports and empowering the convergence of esports and traditional sport for a vibrant and exhilarating esports experience worldwide,” said Iris Cordoba, General Manager, Global Sports Innovation Center.
About The Global Esports Federation:
The Global Esports Federation promotes the credibility, legitimacy and prestige of esports. We convene athletes, players and the world’s publishers, developers, industry partners and sporting organizations on one inclusive platform. We encourage and support competition along with developing community and connection among esports, active esports and traditional sports.
About Global Sports Innovation Center Powered by Microsoft:
Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft (GSIC) is a business cluster powered by Microsoft Sport Team that gathers all kind of sports entities (clubs, federation, associations), institutions, tech-companies (from start-ups to enterprises), research organizations, investors and key figures of sport industry to improve its value chain. To do so, we focus our activities and services on 6 main points: entrepreneurship, networking, applied research, showcase, Microsoft Partners Solutions and digital transformation advisory services. More than 340 companies from 38 different countries have already received support from the GSIC through different activities, as well as from their ambassadors and network of professionals of the sports industry.
Asia
Esports World Cup Foundation Announces Strategic Partnership with Tencent

Partnership to drive EWC’s expansion in China, leveraging Tencent E-sports’ networks and expertise to connect Chinese esports with EWC’s global ecosystem
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) announced a partnership with Tencent, making Tencent E-sports the EWCF’s strategic partner in China to drive the expansion of the Esports World Cup’s presence in the region. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the EWCF’s purpose to unite global esports fans under one competitive umbrella and underscores its commitment to integrating the world’s most important and rapidly growing esports market into the Esports World Cup platform. The agreement was formalized at the Empower Esports Worldwide Series – The Esports Operation and Technology Session in Shenzhen, China.
The collaboration will establish a dedicated Development Team to enhance EWC’s visibility, engagement, and industry collaboration in China, while leveraging EWC’s and Tencent E-sports’ networks and expertise to connect Chinese esports with EWC’s global ecosystem. Tencent E-sports will provide marketing expertise, strategic consulting, and operational support to deliver diverse content and experiences.
“The Esports World Cup has created a global stage for competitive gaming, demonstrating its influence not only in China but across the world,” said Mars Hou, Vice President of Tencent Games and General Manager of Tencent E-sports. “Through this partnership, we are committed to elevating EWC’s presence in China and integrating our esports industry with the world’s largest competitive gaming event. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with EWCF to push esports forward on a global scale.”
“The Esports World Cup’s purpose is to create a global platform for esports and gaming fans worldwide, and investing in key growth markets for esports is a core pillar of our mission,” said Thamer Al Shuaibi, Chief of Staff at the Esports World Cup Foundation. “China plays a critical role in this vision, and Tencent’s leadership in gaming and esports positions it as an essential partner. By combining our expertise, we will continue to strengthen esports as an industry, providing new opportunities for Chinese players and Clubs, and bringing the best of the Esports World Cup to Chinese fans.”
Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite gaming and esports communities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Champion. The tournament’s unique cross-game format will reward Clubs and players competing for a life-changing prize pool in a mix of platforms and genres, bringing together esports’ best players, Clubs and games under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of esports.
The post Esports World Cup Foundation Announces Strategic Partnership with Tencent appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
ESIC Implemented its Anti-doping Testing Programme at IEM Katowice 2025

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) implemented its comprehensive anti-doping testing program at IEM Katowice 2025, organised by ESL FACEIT Group (EFG). Conducted at EFG’s request, this initiative reinforced the commitment of both organisations to maintaining the highest standards of competitive integrity in esports.
ESIC’s anti-doping procedures, carried out in accordance with the ESIC Anti-Doping Code, ensured that all participating competitors at IEM Katowice adhered to globally recognised best practices. The programme featured advanced testing protocols, thorough monitoring and rigorous enforcement measures, all designed to uphold fair competition.
“At ESIC, our mission is to protect the integrity of the esports ecosystem. By deploying our anti-doping testing at IEM Katowice 2025, we reaffirmed our dedication to supporting event organizers like EFG in hosting competitions where athletes compete responsibly and ethically,” Stephen Hanna, Chief Executive Officer of ESIC, said.
Over the past few years, ESIC has administered more than 700 anti-doping tests at major esports events, including those hosted by EFG. This extensive experience further cements ESIC’s reputation for providing industry-leading services that prioritise player welfare, competitive fairness and a culture of transparency.
“Protecting integrity is paramount for esports, which is why EFG and ESIC are constantly working together to ensure fair competition. ESIC have proven themselves to have the experience, as well as an advanced system that provides the credibility and peace of mind needed at one of our biggest and most prestigious events, IEM Katowice,” Carsten Kramer, Director of Tournament Management at EFG, said.
The post ESIC Implemented its Anti-doping Testing Programme at IEM Katowice 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
BLAST.tv Austin Major Becomes Austin’s First Arena Esports Event & Sells Out in Record Six Hours

BLAST, Live Nation, C3 Presents and the Austin Sports Commission announced that tickets for the highly-anticipated Counter-Strike Austin Major sold out within six hours, breaking all records of previous BLAST esports events.
The BLAST.tv Austin Major will feature 32 of the world’s top Counter-Strike teams competing for a $1.25 million prize pool, from June 3 to June 22, with June 19-22 taking place at a packed out Moody Center.
Counter-Strike is one of the world’s most iconic esports titles, with over 20 years of competitive history and a massive global fan base. As the first Counter-Strike Major in the U.S. since 2018, this event continues to solidify Austin’s position as a premier destination for world-leading events. Catch a glimpse of what is to be expected by viewing the last CS Major, in Paris.
The BLAST.tv Austin Major is anticipated to be one of the largest esports events ever hosted in the United States, with thousands attending in person and millions more watching online across 150+ territories in more than 30 languages.
In addition to the impressive international presence guaranteed at this event, it’s an exciting time for Texas-based esports teams like Complexity Gaming, headquartered in Frisco, Texas, to represent their home state on their home turf.
At a press conference last night at the Moody Center (livestream available on youtube) featuring remarks from Mayor Kirk Watson, Leo Matlock (BLAST), Jason Lake (Complexity Gaming), Drew Hays (Austin Sports Commission/Visit Austin) and Andrew Haworth (BLAST), the spokespeople revealed that the Austin Major will drive economic impact for the local community:
- The estimated direct economic impact of the Counter-Strike Austin Major in Austin is $30M+
- Estimated total attendance: 40,000+
- Estimated out-of-state attendance: 65%
- Estimated average daily fan spend: $481
- 15 broadcast days and 59 hours live from Austin
- 220+ million projected views and an estimated 30 million US-based viewers
(Credit David Brendan Hall)
The BLAST.tv Major adds to Austin’s growing reputation as a world-class event destination, joining a lineup of high-profile international events, including SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, and Formula 1 at Circuit of The Americas.
The road to the Counter-Strike Austin Major has officially begun and will feature several exciting moments leading up to the final stage inside the Moody Center arena. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements including watch parties, tailgates, tickets and more by heading to BLAST.tv.
BLAST.tv Major dates and schedule:
- Phase One: June 3rd-6th (Downtown Austin)
- Phase Two: June 7th-10th (Downtown Austin)
- Phase Three: June 12th-15th (Downtown Austin)
- Playoffs: June 19th-22nd (Moody Center)
The BLAST.tv Austin Major will be the first to feature the Major Regional Qualifiers (MRQs). The MRQs are a brand new qualifying system to the Major – featuring a series of online qualifiers across 3 regions: Europe, Americas and Asia. Americas is split into separate North American & South American qualifiers and Asia is split into Oceania, China & Rest of Asia regions: Mongolian & Western Asia, China and Oceania and South East Asia. You can read more details on the qualifying process at blast.tv/cs/news/blasttv-austin-major-mrqs-info.
The post BLAST.tv Austin Major Becomes Austin’s First Arena Esports Event & Sells Out in Record Six Hours appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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