eSports
TEAM VITALITY ENTERS THE STREET FIGHTER 6 RING WITH PLAYERS SAYFF AND VALMASTER
- After announcing their Tekken8 roster in April, Team Vitality furthers their commitment to the fighting game scene with their Street Fighter 6 roster.
- Star players, Sayff and Valmaster, will make their debut wearing the club’s colours during DreamHack Dallas from May 31 to June 2, 2024.
- Street Fighter 6 marks the eleventh esports title Team Vitality competes in, as the French club continues to strengthen its international expansion strategy while aiming for a prime place during this summer’s Esports World Cup.
Team Vitality, the leading international esports club, is proud to announce its new formidable Street Fight 6 lineup. Stepping into the spotlight, the organisation welcomes Canadian powerhouse Sayff, joined by renowned French player Valmaster. This expansion of Team Vitality’s rosters not only fortifies their position as a titan in esports, but also highlights their passion and determination to shine on the international stage.
A DUO READY TO BREAK EVERYTHING
Team Vitality is thrilled to welcome two new talented players to the Hive:
Sayff, the courageous Canadian champion
Originally from Canada, Sayff, 33, has established himself as one of the most formidable players in the North American Street Fighter scene. With his offensive play style and spectacular combos, he is a force to be reckoned with.
In Street Fighter V, Sayff has conquered the arena, proving himself as one of the world’s top players, renowned for his unparalleled mastery of the character Urien. Captivating fans worldwide, Sayff is unmatched when it comes to showing off his technical prowess, known for his expert use of abilities like the iconic “Aegis Reflector”. More recently in Street Fighter 6, Sayff found his rhythm with the character Ken in an explosive style. Sayff has continued to shine in numerous competitions, dominating the Canadian tournament scene, winning 1st place in the North American Midwest, and securing top 8 in last February’s Capcom Cup X –the biggest Street Fighter tournament in history. Sayff’s Street Fighter career is a story of local pride, being a leader in his community and shocking the world with his abilities.
His exceptional performance goes beyond the gaming realm, as he seamlessly blends his passion for fighting games with his distinguished scientific career. Boasting over a decade of experience in atmospheric chemistry and climate change research, Sayff has excelled in multiple industries. With a doctorate in the field, he was also invited to contribute his expertise at Harvard University as a researcher. Through his journey, Sayff hopes to inspire the next generation of players to pursue excellence in education and all aspects of their lives.
With a career led by numerous victories and a reputation as a player who is both technical and ferocious, Sayff wishes to continue his rise to the top. Backed with the unwavering support of Team Vitality, he sets his sights on achieving new prestigious titles and establishing his dominance in the fighting game scene.
“Joining a team as prestigious as Team Vitality is a huge honour and a source of immense motivation. As a Canadian player, we are sometimes held back by travelling, and I have always dreamed of being part of an organisation that shares my passion for competition and vision of excellence. This presents the perfect opportunity for me to push my limits and unleash my potential on the international stage” comments Sayff, “I’m particularly excited to compete in the Esports World Cup, where I hope to put on a great show and get the fans’ adrenaline pumping!”
Valmaster, the fearless French fighter
Valentin “Valmaster” Petit, aged 29, is a renowned French player in the fighting game community. Born in Paris, Valmaster developed a passion for video games from an early age, particularly fighting games, in which he quickly showed exceptional skills in.
His career on Street Fighter IV began in 2013 through his participation in local French tournaments. Valmaster made his mark in the competitive scene, harnessing a remarkable talent for predicting his opponents’ playstyle and contesting them with deadly combinations. With Chun-Li as his go-to character, Valmaster’s fast and precise playstyle allows him to dominate the competition with style.
Even with a brief break from his career to compete in Overwatch, Valmaster made a powerful comeback. He quickly reached the top 3 best French Street Fighter IV players, maintaining his position in editions V and 6 of the game. He has continued to prove his mastery, reaching the finals of the Capcom Cup four times (2014, 2015, 2023, 2024) and securing the title of French champion twice in the Capcom Pro Tour (2022, 2023) for Street Fighter V and 6. Having gained worldwide recognition for his achievements in numerous titles, from competing in international tournaments such as EVO and Stungest and local French tournaments, Valmaster has solidified his position as one of the world’s top players.
Despite being away from the game for several years, Valmaster has retained all of his talent, and he is now set on qualifying for the Esports World Cup this summer!
“I’m really looking forward to joining Team Vitality. For me, it’s a very different feeling to the other teams I’ve joined in the past. I’ve always wanted to be part of a leading French team like this. I really want to achieve good results and I hope to qualify for the EWC and the Capcom Cup. It would be great to represent them at these major international events,“ explains Valmaster.
A NEW HOPE FOR SUCCESS IN THE ESPORTS WORLD CUP
Valmaster and Sayff will make their official debut donning the iconic Team Vitality colours at DreamHack Dallas, from May 31 to June 2, 2024. Marking the qualifying stage for the Esports World Cup this summer, the two players are set to prove their skills and determination by securing a place in the finals. The second stage of qualifications will be held at DreamHack Summer 2024, taking place in Elmia, Sweden, from June 14 to 16, 2024, as well as at the prestigious EVO in Las Vegas from July 19 to 21.
The arrival of Team Vitality into the Street Fighter 6 scene, marks a significant milestone in the club’s international expansion. This move not only enables the organisation to connect with the fighting game community but also extends their reach into North American territory.
The post TEAM VITALITY ENTERS THE STREET FIGHTER 6 RING WITH PLAYERS SAYFF AND VALMASTER appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
Esports World Cup Foundation Confirms Full Game Lineup, Schedule, and Club Championship Rules for EWC 2025
200 Clubs, 2,000 players, 25 tournaments across 24 games, and a $70M+ prize pool set the stage for the largest celebration of competitive excellence and esports fandom
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has finalized the full lineup of games, tournament schedule and Club Championship rules for the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC), the world’s largest esports event, set to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 through August 24. This summer, over 2,000 elite players and 200 top Clubs from more than 100 countries will battle across 25 tournaments in 24 games, for a record-breaking $70+ million life-changing prize pool, the largest in esports history.
The Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite gaming and esports communities for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Club Champion, while elevating esports as a global sport and driving long-term growth for the entire ecosystem.
The confirmed EWC 2025 game lineup will include iconic esports titles spanning fan-favorite shooters, battle royales, MOBAs, fighting games, and chess. New additions — CROSSFIRE, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, chess and VALORANT — join the prestigious lineup of returning titles, making this the most diverse and competitive EWC yet.
With the schedule locked, the stage is set for seven weeks of world-class competition. The initial wave of tickets are now on sale, and the countdown is on for the biggest celebration of esports, kicking off with the EWC Festival on July 7. Below is the schedule for each EWC tournament.
Week 1 (July 8–13):
VALORANT featured at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 8-13), Apex Legends at 2025 Esports World Cup 10–13), FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 10–12), Rennsport at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 8–11), Dota 2 at 2025 Esports World Cup – Week 1 (July 8-13)
Week 2 (July 15–20):
League of Legends featured at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 16–20), Free Fire at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 16–20), Dota 2 at 2025 Esports World Cup – Week 2 (July 17–19), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 15–19), Honor of Kings World Cup at 2025 Esports World Cup – Week 1 (July 15–20)
Week 3 (July 22–27):
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 24–27), PUBG MOBILE World Cup at 2025 Esports World Cup – Week 1 (July 25-27), Honor of Kings World Cup at 2025 Esports World Cup – Week 2 (July 23-26), StarCraft II at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 22–25), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup at 2025 Esports World Cup – Week 1 (July 23–27)
Week 4 (July 29–August 3):
Overwatch Champions Series: MidSeason Championship at 2025 Esports World Cup (July 31–August 3), PUBG MOBILE World Cup at 2025 Esports World Cup – Week 2 (July 29-30 / August 1–3), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup at 2025 Esports World Cup – Week 2 (July 30–August 2), Chess at EWC 25 (July 29–August 1)
Week 5 (August 7–10):
EA SPORTS FC 25 at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 7–10), Call of Duty: Warzone at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 6–9), TOM CLANCY’S RAINBOW SIX SIEGE X at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 7–9)
Week 6 (August 11–17):
Rocket League featured at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 14–17), PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 12–16), TEKKEN 8 at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 13–16), Teamfight Tactics featured at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 14–15)
Week 7 (August 19–24):
Counter-Strike 2 at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 21–24), Street Fighter 6 at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 20–23), CROSSFIRE at 2025 Esports World Cup (August 19–23)
EWC 2025 will unfold across four dedicated arenas, each spotlighting one game at a time to deliver the best fan experience. Select titles will host Last Chance Qualifiers in the Festival zone — giving players one final shot at advancing to the main stage.
The Esports World Cup has introduced a refined tournament schedule to enhance viewership across its expanded lineup. Finals will now take place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays – reducing overlap and ensuring dedicated coverage for each title. Tickets for EWC 2025 are now available to purchase at esportsworldcup.com.
The total $70+ million prize pool is allocated across the Club Championship, Game Championships, MVP Awards, and EWC Qualifiers. Out of this, $27 million is dedicated to the EWC Club Championship — an innovative cross-game format that rewards the top 16 Clubs for their performance across multiple titles, with $7 million reserved for the 2025 champion. Game Championships will feature their own prize pools, totaling over $38 million combined, while standout players will compete for a share of the $450,000 MVP Award pool.
Open to all participating organizations, the Club Championship awards points for top-eight finishes across tournaments. To claim the title, Clubs must secure at least two top-eight placements and win at least one tournament. New for 2025, joint ventures — collaborations between two distinct organizations on a specific roster — will be ineligible for points, with Clubs required to compete under one aligned name throughout the EWC to qualify. The Club that shows both consistency and competitive excellence across the entire EWC calendar, will be crowned the Esports World Cup Club Champion at the EWC 2025 closing ceremony on August 24, 2025.
At EWC 2024, Team Falcons dominated with 5,665 points and three tournament wins to claim the $7 million Club Championship. Team Liquid and Team BDS followed in second and third, with 2,545 and 2,000 points respectively. The top 10 also featured some of the biggest names in global esports: Gaimin Gladiators, T1, Virtus.pro, Team Vitality, Twisted Minds, Gen.G, and LOUD — all delivering standout performances across multiple titles, setting the stage for EWC 2025.
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eSports
The Insights Group and Playmakers launch with purpose to reshape digital entertainment across esports, gaming, creator economy & sports
- The Insights Group, a new media and events business focused on the digital entertainment sector, will launch with its first brand now live: The Esports Radar, a modern multimedia platform delivering in-depth coverage of the global esports sector
- TER Events teams up with ESIC and BLAST to collectively launch Global Esports Industry Week, taking place in Austin, Texas, from June 18th to 22nd and featuring TER’s own Esports Leaders event, the ESIC Global Esports Summit, other socials, and culminating in the sold-out BLAST.tv Austin Major
- Playmakers rebrands from TWG as it focuses on connecting leading gaming, esports & sports IPS and talent with brands and opportunities
The GSE Group, a newly established holding company founded by esports and sports industry experts Sam Cooke and Alfie Wright, is thrilled to unveil The Insights Group, a media and events company centered on the digital entertainment industry. GSE is also proud to welcome Playmakers (formerly TWG) to its portfolio, an agency dedicated to managing high-value commercial partnerships for rights holders and influencers across sports, gaming and esports.
Sam and Alfie will serve as directors across both businesses, with Sam leading The Insights Group as CEO and Alfie continuing to oversee the newly rebranded Playmakers. Sam embarks on this venture after successfully exiting Esports Insider. Meanwhile, Alfie brings nearly a decade of experience in gaming and sports, building partnerships with top brands and influencers.
The Insights Group will be backed by investment from Continuum X Group (CXG), a leading esports and gaming venture firm. Founder & CEO of CXG, Jonas Gundersen, most recently the COO of NIP Group, which went public on NASDAQ last year, will join as a Non-Executive Director & Advisor, bringing years of industry expertise to drive strategy and growth. As part of its launch, The Insights Group is introducing The Esports Radar, a multimedia platform that delivers consistent, in-depth business coverage. Regional editions will follow soon, including an Arabic language edition, TER Arabia, in collaboration with Saudi-based entity NESMA Group, who operate Nesma Esports led by co-founder and CEO Elie Honain, a fully-fledged gaming creative and production studio based in Riyadh.
As part of its events offering, The Insights Group is (re)introducing Esports Leaders, a premier gathering of C-suite executives from in and around the esports sector, including decision makers and senior execs from game publishers, teams, tournament operators, brands, agencies and other key stakeholders. Pioneered by Sam Cooke during his tenure at Esports Insider, Esports Leaders facilitates high-level discussions in an exclusive setting. The first edition under The Insights Group and TER Events will take place from June 18th-22nd in Austin, Texas, alongside the annual ESIC Global Esports Summit and the sold-out BLAST.tv Austin Major, collectively forming Global Esports Industry Week.
James Woollard, Director of Market Development at BLAST, said of the news: “BLAST is always looking for opportunities to work with best-in-class partners and to elevate business and networking experiences around the biggest esports events. Having the Global Esports Industry Week co-located with the sold-out BLAST.tv 2025 Major in Austin is an opportunity to bring together esports orgs, players, teams, brands, businesses and city partners who are all integral to the market growth of this vibrant industry and to share ideas. Working with The Insights Group, The Esports Radar and Playmakers – experts in the esports business space – as well as Visit Austin, will give us the opportunity to connect people and pioneers in the gaming and esports space.”
Playmakers, formerly known as TWG, marks its first anniversary with a renewed focus on securing and managing commercial partnerships for brands, rights holders and influencers. Specialising in strategic consultancy, deal brokerage, and talent management, Playmakers is dedicated to driving impactful collaborations. With Alfie Wright’s industry expertise and extensive network, Playmakers’ goal is to bridge the gap between esports, gaming, and traditional sports.
“Launching GSE Group and The Insights Group is not just another step in my career, it’s a culmination of over a decade in the industry and desire to launch a bold new venture across not just esports but digital entertainment more broadly. Together with Alfie and with key partners and individuals such as Jonas, Elie and others, we are ready to deliver something fresh for the space. With initiatives like The Esports Radar and Esports Leaders to begin, we’re setting the stage for long-lasting meaningful discussions and collaborations, and we’ve a lot more in the pipeline outside of just esports too,” commented Sam Cooke, CEO, The Insights Group, and a Director at GSE.
“Playmakers is at the intersection of gaming, esports, and sports, and our renewed focus is all about forging lasting commercial partnerships that bring value. We understand the importance of bridging these industries, and our team is ready to deliver. It’s also an honor to work alongside a veteran like Sam in creating an ecosystem which aims to make a true impact on the industry,” added Alfie Wright, CEO, Playmakers, and a Director at GSE.
The post The Insights Group and Playmakers launch with purpose to reshape digital entertainment across esports, gaming, creator economy & sports appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
BETBY LAUNCHES INDUSTRY-FIRST ESPORTS BETTING TIPS, ENHANCING WIDEST SPORTS COVERAGE IN THE MARKET
BETBY, a leading provider of innovative sportsbook solutions, has announced a major update to its Betting Tips feature, introducing insights for esports. This industry-first addition positions BETBY as the supplier with the widest betting tips coverage in the iGaming market, enhancing the player experience by delivering data-driven tips that help bettors make more informed and confident decisions.
Part of BETBY’s award-winning AI Labs suite of tools, Betting Tips will provide insights derived from the latest news, key team and player statistics, and other relevant information for popular titles such as Counter-Strike. Betting Tips will cover all major esports tournaments for supported titles, based on betting volume and regardless of the event tier, ensuring comprehensive industry-wide coverage.
In addition to expanding into esports, Betting Tips now delivers significantly improved tip quality. Around 99% of all tips now include a relevant supporting fact or statistic, resulting in clearer, more actionable insights. These enhancements contribute to a more engaging and valuable experience for both operators and bettors.
The integration of esports into Betting Tips reflects BETBY’s commitment to innovation and adaptability in the rapidly evolving betting landscape. The introduction of esports betting tips is also expected to drive higher conversion rates, providing operators with a valuable tool to engage esports enthusiasts more effectively.
To maximize accessibility, Betting Tips will be available in 25 languages: English, Portuguese (Brazilian and European), Spanish, Turkish, Russian, German, Japanese, French, Italian, Kazakh, Azerbaijani, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Estonian, Finnish, Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Latvian, Polish, Romanian, and Georgian. This multilingual support ensures a seamless experience for operators and bettors worldwide.
“Integrating esports into our Betting Tips marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide comprehensive and innovative solutions to our clients,” said Danil Emelyanov, Head of BETBY’s AI Labs. “As the esports industry continues to grow worldwide, we recognize the importance of offering tailored insights that cater to this dynamic market. This expansion not only reinforces our commitment to innovation but also solidifies our position as a leader in the sports betting sector.
In addition to expanding into esports, Betting Tips continues to offer intelligent insights across a wide range of traditional sports, including Soccer, Ice Hockey, Basketball, Tennis, Cricket, American Football, Handball, Volleyball, Baseball, and Table Tennis. This ensures that operators can engage bettors across all major sports verticals.
The post BETBY LAUNCHES INDUSTRY-FIRST ESPORTS BETTING TIPS, ENHANCING WIDEST SPORTS COVERAGE IN THE MARKET appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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