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EXCEL ESPORTS and JD Sports launch podcast to help bridge the gap between the traditional UK football culture and the competitive FIFA scene

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  • EXCEL ESPORTS and JD SPORTS new podcast, XL BootRoom, will help bring together UK football culture and the competitive FIFA scene 
  • XL BootRoom will feature EXCEL’s professional FIFA players, Tom ‘Tom’ Leese and Spencer ‘Gorilla’ Ealing as well as other special guest appearances including YouTuber Danny Aarons
  • The podcast will delve into current topics including FIFA23, FIFA esports, UK’s football scene and football fashion
  • Episode one of XL BootRoom is now available to listen to on YouTube and Spotify and will be launched on other major streaming platforms soon

Today, British competitive gaming culture brand EXCEL ESPORTS and JD Sports, the UK-based leading retailer of sports, fashion and outdoor brands, are excited to announce the launch of their new podcast, XL BootRoom. The podcast will aim to help bridge together the traditional football culture and the competitive FIFA scene in the UK.

The first season of the podcast will include six episodes and will delve into current news topics including FIFA23, FIFA esports and the UK’s football scene such as the 2022 World Cup as well as the world of football fashion. XL BootRoom will be recorded from EXCEL’s newly built content production studio at XLHQ in Shoreditch. The new studio will be fully wrapped with a FIFA 23 inspired design to create an immersive, high quality set design for the best listening and viewing experience for fans.

Hosting the podcast will be EXCEL’s professional FIFA players, Tom ‘Tom’ Leese and Spencer ‘Gorilla’ Ealing. ‘Tom’ has been ranked number one in Europe in the past two years while ‘Gorilla’ is a five-time Gfinity FIFA Champion and one of the most famous players and content creators in FIFA. Both high-level professional players who are also very passionate football fans, they make the perfect duo to drive the conversations towards bridging the gap between casual football fans and hardcore FIFA players. The first episode will feature a special guest appearance from FIFA YouTuber, Danny Aarons, with many more FIFA personalities and football creators set to guest host episodes throughout the season.

EXCEL ESPORTS and JD Sports announced their partnership earlier this year, and have since created a range of immersive campaigns together for gamers and JD customers across the country, including gaming set-ups featuring EXCELs professional players and JD influencers at ParkLife, Longitude and Wireless throughout the summer. The JD Click Refresh Back-to-School Tour ensured kids across the country headed back to school in head-to-toe style and the Fortnite tournament held at EXCEL and JD’s stand at Insomnia 68 Gaming Festival saw the team sign their newest Fortnite content creator, Jackson ‘Rezhexx’ Bradbury.

XL BootRoom will also act to further strengthen the partnership between EXCEL and JD Sports,  to further establish both brands presence as active and prominent contributors to the FIFA gaming landscape. The podcast will integrate key JD Sports promotions and initiatives into the series to create organic links between the biggest moments in both the FIFA and retail calendar.

Sha Rasti, Head of Partnerships, EXCEL ESPORTS comments: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new podcast, XL BootRoom, alongside our partner JD. FIFA represents a diverse community, spanning from hardcore gamers to casual football fans that play with friends and we believe through XL BootRoom we have the opportunity to help to further connect these two very similar communities together. Touching on current news topics across football and competitive FIFA, listeners can expect competition, insight and comedy throughout the season!”

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Brook Gaming Launches Wingman FGC 2 in UAE

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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.

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Esportes Gaming Brasil certified as Great Place To Work®

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 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.

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Cristiano Ronaldo Named Global Ambassador of the Esports World Cup 2025

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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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