

eSports
Spike Nations returns for third instalment of VALORANT charity tournament
Riot Games teams up with BLAST to deliver the third instalment of the VALORANT tournament Spike Nations next month (14-16 October).
12 EMEA-based teams, made up of professional esports players, popular gaming personalities and streamers from the VCT, VRLs, and Game Changers circuits, will represent their region as they compete against each other for a €60,000 prize pool with teams fighting for a bigger share of the winnings to donate to their charity of choice.
Spike Nations was first launched in November 2020 where 10 teams competed, last year it expanded to 12 teams with Eastern Europe taking home the trophy and over €14,000 for their chosen charity, Te Aud Romania.
The tournament format will consist of three groups of four, where the two top teams in each group will progress to the knockout stage. Fans can also help secure their teams name in the knockouts by donating – with the two teams with the most fan donations securing their place in the second stage of the tournament.
Leo Matlock, MD for Development at BLAST, said: “BLAST are thrilled to welcome back Spike Nations for its third instalment and are delighted to see the fan-favourite tournament become a mainstay of the VALORANT calendar. Through championing first-class technology, production and esports expertise, BLAST has established itself as the leading partner for the world’s biggest and best games. We look forward to further strengthening our long-term relationship with Riot Games, raising money for charities and delivering three days of high-quality VALORANT action, while celebrating the EMEA ecosystem and engaging with passionate fans across the region.”
Felix Morgan, Head of Action Games, EMEA for Riot Games remarked, “The response from players to last year’s event was fantastic, and we’re glad to be able to work with BLAST once again to bring back Spike Nations for a third time. After what has been another exciting year for VALORANT, both in-game, and in our pro competitions, we’re excited for fans once again to get behind their nations and cheer on their favourite creators, pro players and personalities from the scene!”
All 12 teams will be competing for national glory and a chance to raise money for worthy causes as they face each other over three-days of online VALORANT action next month.
The teams competing include:
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Team United Kingdom
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Team France
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Team Spain
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Team Portugal
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Team Nordics
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Team Poland
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Team Turkey
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Team Italy
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Team DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland)
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Team Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)
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Team Eastern Europe (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Greece, Cyprus and Israel)
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Team MENA (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya)
The on-air talent team will be a mix of familiar faces from the VCT scene to up-and-comers from the VRL scene.
eSports
Brook Gaming Launches Wingman FGC 2 in UAE

Brook Gaming, a leader in cross-platform gaming hardware solutions, announced the official launch of its highly anticipated Wingman FGC 2 Converter in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Available immediately on Amazon AE, the Wingman FGC 2 empowers UAE gamers to use over 150 of their favorite wired controllers – including elite fight sticks, racing wheels and gamepads – seamlessly across all PlayStation 5 games and PC (X-Input).
The UAE boasts a vibrant and rapidly growing gaming community, with a strong passion for console gaming, particularly fighting games (FGC) and racing titles. As the region emerges as a significant esports hub, players demand precision and performance. However, many gamers face the frustration of their high-investment PS4 fight sticks or preferred controllers being incompatible with the PS5.
The Wingman FGC 2 directly addresses this critical pain point. Its core unique selling proposition (USP) lies in its unparalleled, tournament-proven compatibility and performance:
Play All PS5 Games: Unlike many alternatives, the FGC 2 supports every PS5 title, not just fighting games.
Extensive Controller Support: It works flawlessly with over 150 official and third-party wired controllers, including popular brands like Hori, Madcatz, Logitech and Thrustmaster.
Ultra-Low Latency: Leveraging Brook’s renowned low-latency technology, it ensures near-instantaneous response times crucial for competitive play.
Plug-and-Play & Customisation: It offers simple operation plus advanced features like Turbo, Remap and Macro functions via software.
Tournament Ready (EVO Compliant): Designed with esports in mind, the FGC 2 is compliant with major tournament regulations, including EVO, making it a reliable choice for competitors.
This tournament-level performance was recently showcased when British player “EndingWalker” secured a stunning victory at Combo Breaker 2025 using a Brook Wingman FGC series converter, proving its reliability under the highest competitive pressure.
“We are incredibly excited to officially introduce the Wingman FGC 2 to the dynamic gaming market in the UAE. Seeing champions like EndingWalker trust our technology at major events like Combo Breaker fuels our commitment. The FGC 2 is our answer for UAE gamers – it’s the bridge that allows them to bring their legacy gear, skills and passion to any PS5 experience without compromise, especially for the thriving FGC and esports scene here,” said a spokesperson for Brook Gaming.
The post Brook Gaming Launches Wingman FGC 2 in UAE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Brazil
Esportes Gaming Brasil certified as Great Place To Work®

Esportes Gaming Brasil, the owner of Onabet and Esportes da Sorte, has been certified as a Great Place To Work®. The recognition – a global reference in people management and organizational climate – highlights the company’s efforts in promoting a positive environment, with development, well-being and inclusion initiatives aligned with the needs of its approximately 600 employees.
The GPTW survey assesses employee perceptions across five pillars – credibility, respect, impartiality, pride and camaraderie. For Sophia Serak, Director of People, participating in the assessment was essential to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. “We want to be more than a workplace: we’ve created a framework for everyone to develop and feel valued. The certificate proves we are on the right path and motivates us to evolve further”, says the executive.
More than just a welcoming environment, Grupo Esportes Gaming Brasil has built a space where everyone has the freedom to be themselves, clarity about where they can go, and real support to grow. An environment where values such as trust, listening, and collaboration are at the heart of decisions — from the selection process to the choice of leaders.
In 2024, the group accelerated its mission to strengthen leadership, with training, assessments linked to values and programs offering regular management training. More than 60 leaders participated in development paths and initiatives such as “Impulso EGB” — an educational incentive program that subsidizes technical courses and specializations for employees.
Trust is the foundation of Esportes Gaming Brasil’s culture. It manifests itself in small gestures, spontaneous feedback, the freedom to propose new ideas and the construction of real bonds between people. The company invests in inclusive communication, active listening and collective actions that strengthen the sense of belonging — such as themed parties, recognition rituals and direct chats with leadership.
The post Esportes Gaming Brasil certified as Great Place To Work® appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
eSports
Cristiano Ronaldo Named Global Ambassador of the Esports World Cup 2025

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced that Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most celebrated athletes of all time, has been appointed as the Global Ambassador of the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC), further solidifying EWC’s position as one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.
Ronaldo’s appointment marks a defining milestone for the Esports World Cup and signals the continued rise of competitive gaming as a global sport. A five-time Ballon d’Or winner and a symbol of elite performance, Ronaldo brings a powerful presence and cultural resonance that transcends traditional sports, helping connect millions of fans to the next generation of esports athletes.
“Cristiano Ronaldo connects generations — from lifelong football fans to today’s emerging competitors,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “His pursuit of greatness mirrors the spirit of the Esports World Cup: the biggest stage for the best players. As Global Ambassador, he bridges traditional sport and competitive gaming, helping spotlight the next generation of athletes competing for global glory. We’re humbled to have the greatest of all time stand with us in this moment for esports.”
Ronaldo has already played a formative role in the evolution of the Esports World Cup. He participated in the global announcement of the creation of EWC in 2023 and attended last summer’s Closing Ceremony in Riyadh, where he celebrated Team Falcons’ historic Club Championship win. With unmatched reach and fan engagement across every major platform, Ronaldo has helped elevate EWC’s profile since its inception.
As Global Ambassador, Ronaldo will headline the tournament’s global campaign leading up to and throughout the seven-week competition and festival in Riyadh. He also stars as a playable character in FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, one of the 25 tournament titles in this year’s Esports World Cup games lineup. With a social media following of over one billion, Ronaldo’s voice will help bring the tournament to new audiences, and introduce the next generation of fans to the elite players of competitive gaming.
Ronaldo’s participation will also highlight the Esports World Cup’s 2025 creative theme, “Rise Above,” a campaign celebrating unlocking human potential, pushing the boundaries and going beyond the norms in the pursuit of greatness — values exemplified by Ronaldo and mirrored by the athletes competing across 25 tournaments this summer.
“Sport is always evolving – and esports is one more frontier,” said Ronaldo. “The commitment, drive, talent, and intensity I have been able to see in esports athletes is no different from what I’ve experienced on the pitch. I’m proud to stand alongside these competitors and be part of a global event that’s inspiring a new generation.”
The 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 across a mix of platforms and genres, bringing together esports’ best teams, players and games under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of esports.
The EWC 2025 will feature 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs from more than 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool. Tickets are now available at esportsworldcup.com.
To learn more about EWC, visit esportsworldcup.com and follow Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn. “Esports World Cup: Level Up,” a five-part docuseries directed by Emmy winner R.J. Cutler that chronicles the inaugural EWC, is now streaming exclusively on Prime Video with new episodes released weekly.
The post Cristiano Ronaldo Named Global Ambassador of the Esports World Cup 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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