

eSports
GRID and WePlay Esports announce the extension of their exclusive data partnership
GRID, the official esports and gaming data platform, and WePlay Esports, the flagship company of WePlay Holding, have extended their exclusive esports data partnership for a third year.
The deal will focus on data assets management, distribution, and monetization for all WePlay Esports broadcasts. Additionally, GRID will provide advanced integrity and data security services.
Charlie Hanley-Nickolls, chief procurement officer of GRID Esports comments, “At GRID we are dedicated to building long-lasting relationships with our partners. Working with WePlay Esports exemplifies what it means to have a mutually rewarding partnership. For the past two years, WePlay Esports has elevated its broadcast and improved the interactive experience of esports content. We are thrilled to continue leveraging WePlay Esports data and providing them with the assets they need to continue to be a leader in broadcast innovation. Their approach to fan engagement is a benchmark for how official esports data can be used as fuel to grow the industry as a whole.”
In 2021 GRID supported WePlay Esports in some of the most viewed esports tournaments of all time. The partnership included all the company’s CS:GO and Dota 2 tournaments and the most notable Russian-speaking broadcasts. The record-breaking PGL Major Stockholm 2021 broadcast by WePlay Esports peaked at over 865,000 concurrent viewers during the final match between NAVI and G2 Esports. WePlay AniMajor, the anime-themed Dota 2 competition, set an additional record with over 37 Million hours watched.
Valentyn Shevchenko, head of business development at WePlay Esports, says
“In 2022, our goal is to continue expanding our portfolio to include more genres and focus on organizing themed events. Across all our initiatives, we aim to continue our innovation and enhancement of WePlay Esports data. Our partnership with GRID allows for the maximum leverage of our data assets, and elevates the WePlay Esports signature broadcast experience”.
The WePlay Esports deal renewal follows the recent GRID announcement regarding GRID’s extension of their BLAST Premier partnership. In 2021 GRID secured over 70 official data partnerships in esports making them the leading platform offering official server data access.
GRID Esports is the leading esports and gaming data platform, headquartered in Berlin, Germany.
GRID partners with the rights holders in esports & gaming to leverage the potential of their data IP. This enables sustainable growth of the entire competitive gaming ecosystem and empowers the esports community. The central technology piece of the company – The GRID Data Platform – unlocks additional revenue streams for its partners and capitalizes on the potential of data in digital sports for the purposes of storytelling, fan engagement, and integrity.
In 2021 GRID Esports closed a successful Series A, raising $10m in growth capital backed by Alinea Capital and Dreamcraft Ventures. GRID’s official data partnerships cover over 70 tournament organizers and game publishers including BLAST Premier, PGL, WePlay Esports and Epic Esports Events.
WePlay Holding is an esports corporate group with headquarters in Los Angeles, U.S., and Kyiv, Ukraine, which has offices around the world together with its affiliates. The multi-brand holding company is bridging the gaps between entertainment, esports, and technology through its innovation strategy.
The organization accelerates industry development with interdependent creative solutions in broadcasting, augmented reality, interactive experiences, data mining, and other tools. WePlay Holding empowers businesses with personalized products and services created through merging concepts. This produces quick-impact outcomes required in the competitive world of entertainment.
Since 2006, the WePlay brand is well-known for the high-quality organization and broadcasting of esports tournaments. It grew into WePlay Esports, a world-class tournament organizer and production company with studios, talent crews, and arenas operating across multiple continents.
WePlay Holding puts together its technology ecosystem to create unique results. It aims to bring together brands, investors, nonprofit organizations, industry experts, and other stakeholders into a playful prosumer environment.
eSports
THE ESPORTS AWARDS CROWNS THE BEST IN ESPORTS FROM THE PAST DECADE, INCLUDING NADESHOT, SJOKZ AND FAKER

The Decade Awards ceremony, held alongside the Esports World Cup as part of the ‘Summer of Celebration’, saw an incredible 9.8 million votes cast by fans, celebrating esports and gaming’s most legendary figures in a landmark tribute to a decade of excellence.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, August 24th, 2025: The most prestigious night in the esports calendar returned this evening, as the Esports Awards hosted their one-off special, the “Decade Awards”. Presented by Trevor “Quickshot” Henry, Jessica “JessGOAT” Bolden and Barney Banks, this year’s Decade Awards marked the Esports Awards’ 10th anniversary and honoured a decade of industry-defining achievements and trailblazers in esports across 14 different categories.
Among the evening’s standout honours was League of Legends superstar Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, who was named Esports PC Player of the Decade, alongside his team T1, who were crowned Esports Team of the Decade, and their coach Kim “kkOma” Jeong-gyun, recognised as Esports Coach of the Decade. Riot Games were also at the forefront, receiving multiple accolades including Esports Publisher of the Decade, Esports Game of the Decade for League of Legends, and Esports Live Event of the Decade for the unforgettable League of Legends Worlds 2017 Championship.
Marking the grand finale of the Summer of Celebration, the Esports Awards delivered yet another iconic evening, with a star-studded roster of presenters taking to the stage to announce the winners. Highlights included legendary professional skateboarder Tony Hawk, Twitch sensation Tyler1, renowned content creator and Sidemen member Vikkstar, and multiple-time EVO champion Justin Wong.
Over the past decade, the esports scene has grown exponentially, with countless players, teams and creators contributing to its growth into the global phenomenon it is today. Tonight, the Decade Awards celebrated those who have defined the last ten years in esports, honouring the individuals, teams and organisations whose achievements have left a monumental mark on the industry. The complete list of Decade Awards winners is as follows:
- Esports Game of the Decade – League of Legends
- Esports Personality of the Decade – Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag
- Streamer of the Decade – Félix “xQc” Lengyel
- Esports Commercial Partner of the Decade – Intel
- Esports Content and Coverage Platform of the Decade – Liquipedia
- Esports Publisher of the Decade – Riot Games
- Esports Live Event of the Decade – League of Legends Worlds 2017
- Esports PC Player of the Decade – Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok
- Esports Breakthrough Player of the Decade – Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut
- Esports Controller Player of the Decade – Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro
- Esports Coach of the Decade – Kim “kkOma” Jeong-gyun
- Esports Team of the Decade – T1 – League of Legends
- Esports Organisation of the Decade – Team Liquid
- Esports On-Air Talent of the Decade – Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere
“Over the past ten years, the growth in the esports industry has been incredible to see, and it’s been a great honour to recognise the icons who have contributed to its rise in popularity,” says Mike Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards, “Tonight, we showed the world just how global and impactful esports has become, and celebrated the individuals and companies that have consistently driven its success. Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to the esports community for your ongoing dedication and support.”
The Decade Awards is brought to you by the Esports World Cup, Oakley and Media Partner Hitmarker. The full stream can be found here: twitch.tv/esportsawards.
The post THE ESPORTS AWARDS CROWNS THE BEST IN ESPORTS FROM THE PAST DECADE, INCLUDING NADESHOT, SJOKZ AND FAKER appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
Hyprop and MTN Launch SHIFT COD Tournament as Part of 2025 Shift Gaming Experience

With four spots, one stage and R60 000 on the line, South Africa’s sharpest squads are gearing up for a Call of Duty clash like no other.
The 2025 Hyprop MTN Shift Gaming Experience is about to get louder, faster and more intense. Hyprop, in collaboration with MTN, is introducing SHIFT COD – a Call of Duty tournament designed to test South Africa’s sharpest squads in a no-excuses, high-pressure arena. Four online qualifiers. One LAN finale. R60,000 in prize money. Only the best survive.
The format stays sharp and unforgiving: each qualifier is a single-elimination best-of-five series. Teams will battle across Hardpoint, Search and Destroy, and Control. Only the top squad from each of the four qualifier events will earn a shot at the LAN finale, taking place at Canal Walk on 12 and 13 September. Finalists will cover their own travel and accommodation, but the stage – and the spotlight – will be waiting.
“The Shift Gaming Experience is about putting real competition at the centre of public spaces and connecting people through the power of play,” said Christie Stanbridge, Brand and Campaigns Marketing Manager at Hyprop. “Adding Call of Duty to the lineup takes the intensity up a notch. We’re giving gamers a serious platform to show what they can do – live, on stage and in front of a crowd.”
The four qualifiers took place online, where teams signed up for free:
All qualifier finals were broadcast, giving fans full access to the action and allowing players to gain exposure beyond the scoreboard.
Four teams qualify for the LAN finale, where they’ll compete in a double-elimination bracket for a prize pool structured as follows:
- 1st place: R30,000
- 2nd place: R15,000
- 3rd place: R10,000
- 4th place: R5,000
Now in its third year, the Hyprop MTN Shift Gaming Experience has become one of the country’s most visible platforms for esports and casual gaming. Hosted at Hyprop-owned malls including Canal Walk, Clearwater and The Glen, the experience blends competitive tournaments with public engagement to bring gaming into the mainstream.
“MTN SHIFT isn’t about gimmicks. It’s built for players, whether you’re grinding in ranked or showing up to prove a point on LAN,” said Stanbridge. “We’ve seen how gaming can energise our spaces and create new communities. SHIFT COD builds on that energy.”
With only four LAN spots available, the window to make your mark is narrow, and the competition will be ruthless. Visit acgl.gg/mtnshift.
Remaining Tournament Dates & Venues:
SHIFT COD is part of the MTN Shift Gaming Experience which takes place at:
Capegate – Online Qualifier: 31 Aug | In-Centre Event: 5 – 7 Sep
Canal Walk – Online Qualifier: 7 Sep | In-Centre Event: 17 – 21 Sep
The post Hyprop and MTN Launch SHIFT COD Tournament as Part of 2025 Shift Gaming Experience appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
Lim “Ulsan” Soo-hoon Fights off the Competition to Reign as TEKKEN 8 at 2025 Esports World Cup Champion, Securing Back-to-Back EWC Titles

Lim “Ulsan” Soo-hoon has claimed the TEKKEN 8 at EWC 25 crown having beaten Yoon “LowHigh” Sun-woong in a 5-2 grand final finish. His victory secures DN Freecs their first win at EWC 25 as he takes home $250,000 of the $1,000,000 prize pool.
Lim “Ulsan” Soo-hoon had a strong run at EWC 25, losing just one series against Kim “Kkokkoma” Mu-jong in the first match of the second phase. From that point on, however, he went unbeaten on his way to the grand final, even taking down Kim “Kkokkoma” Mu-jong for revenge on his way back from the lower bracket.
In the semifinals, Lim “Ulsan” Soo-hoon booked his place in the grand final with a 5-3 finish over Kim “CherryBerryMango” Jae-hyun, securing his second EWC TEKKEN 8 grand final in a row. Ulsan showcased his mastery of Dragunov throughout the grand final, setting the scene with a decisive victory in the first set, before taking the title in the seventh set with a 5-2 win.
His grand final opponent, Yoon “LowHigh” Sun-woong, took down Team Vitality’s Jeon “JeonDDing” Sang-hyun in a 5-2 finish to lock his place in the grand final. The former EVO champion displayed his Bryan skills throughout the final against Ulsan, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the overall winner.
“I never expected this. I cannot imagine I would win again. I mean, this year I had a rough start; there was a nerf to Dragunov, I had a lot of difficulties – I wanted to prove myself on this stage, and I have done it,” said Lim “Ulsan” Soo-hoon. “It’s been like a dream to be here. Thank you to those who support me from everywhere, my team, my friends, all my partners, and especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for making this the biggest tournament in the world.”
“I’m still hungry. I just want to make myself a legend,” said Lim “Ulsan” Soo-hoon.
Lim “Ulsan” Soo-hoon secured 1000 Club Championship points for DN Freecs, who, as a result, jumped up to joint-eleventh place in the Club Championship standings, with 1200 points. Despite having three players in the top eight, DN Freecs will only receive one lot of points.
It was a disappointing showing from Team Falcons in TEKKEN 8, as all three representatives were eliminated before earning any points. With only a few games left to earn points, Team Falcons had high hopes for TEKKEN 8. Elsewhere, Twisted Minds, who secured victory earlier in the day in PUBG, failed to make it two for two on Saturday, also failing to score points in TEKKEN 8 as Arslan “Arslan Ash” Siddique was eliminated by overall winner, Lim “Ulsan” Soo-hoon.
The post Lim “Ulsan” Soo-hoon Fights off the Competition to Reign as TEKKEN 8 at 2025 Esports World Cup Champion, Securing Back-to-Back EWC Titles appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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