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eSports
Fantasyexpo has become a strategic business partner of PGL
The gaming agency Fantasyexpo has become a strategic business partner of PGL and will represent it in establishing marketing cooperation related to the most important CS: GO tournament in 2021 – PGL Major Stockholm 2021.
PGL Major Stockholm 2021 is the most important CS:GO event in history, with the largest prize pool ever. Twenty-four teams from around the globe will compete for the title of the best squad in the world and for a prize pool of $2,000,000. The event will take place at the turn of October and November 2021.
According to a signed agreement by both sides, Fantasyexpo became the official marketing and business agency of the PGL. The company will be responsible for the full process of servicing and acquiring advertising clients. The agency received the exclusive right to represent the tournament organizer in establishing cooperation with potential sponsors.
The Polish gaming agency has completed a number of excellent activations in the area of gaming for brands such as Old Spice and KFC. Fantasyexpo’s extensive portfolio includes many regional tournaments, a growing number of tier two international events, and broadcasts from several past Majors. For the brands that decide to enter into an advertising partnership at PGL Major, Fantasyexpo has prepared many creative solutions, also offers consulting and advisory services to jointly create unique branded content that will attract, engage and evoke emotions in the audience. One of the new solutions planned by Fantasyexpo is ADditional Major Show – an event inspired by the Super Bowl halftime show. Thus, the agency introduces a new advertising format to the electronic sports market, increasing the possibilities of brand exposure around the most important esports games in the world.
Collaboration of this caliber is the best recognition for many years of our contribution to the esports scene. We have known each other with PGL for a long time, so we are very pleased that we can take our partnership to the next level. As their business partner, we will try to ensure that the cooperation will result in the acquisition of the most attractive partners.
- Krzysztof Stypułkowski, Co-founder of Fantasyexpo
“PGL MAJOR STOCKHOLM 2021 is going to be the biggest CS:GO event ever, and we must deliver an incredible show for the viewers and the clients. We decided to partner with Fantasyexpo, an agency that we trust with a solid history in esports, to materialize our ideas and activations. We cannot wait to show the world what we have prepared for this fantastic event.”
- Silviu Stroie, CEO PGL
The marketing potential of esports is growing at an incredible rate. The global income of the esports industry in 2020 was $950 million, and according to preliminary forecasts, by the end of 2021, esport will break the billion-dollar barrier for the first time in history. The vast majority of this sum is made up of money from sponsorships and other marketing activities. Of the 500 million viewers of electronic sports, 50% qualify themselves as avid enthusiasts of the sport. This number is expected to grow by 9% every year, but the group is not only naturally growing, but also maturing – almost half of the esports viewers are people between 25 and 44 years old.
These numbers are a prime example that esports marketing activities can be a great investment for every brand. This is reflecting in the actions of various companies over the last two decades – after years of domination of typically endemic brands in the world of electronic sports, non-endemic brands appear and are increasingly boldly involved. However, in order for their marketing campaigns to be noticeable and effective, they must be created by industry specialists. Fantasyexpo meets these needs.
Asia
Esports World Cup Foundation Announces Strategic Partnership with Tencent
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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
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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
Abios partners with Kindred Group to provide full esports betting solutions
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New partnership will see Kambi’s Esports division deliver its full suite of esports products, including odds via Kambi’s Odds Feed+ API, to Kindred’s in-house sportsbook
Abios, a leading esports data and odds provider and part of Kambi Group, is pleased to announce a multi-year partnership with Kindred Group, one of the world’s leading online betting and gaming operators, to provide its full range of best-in-class esports betting solutions.
Abios will supply its complete esports package, including odds, data, widgets and always-on content, to Kindred’s Unibet and 32Red brands, providing the operator’s in-house sportsbook with unrivalled esports betting experiences.
Leveraging Kambi’s Odds Feed+ API, Abios will deliver its high-uptime odds feed which includes comprehensive esoccer and ebasketball coverage, as well as leading esports titles such as Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, Dota 2 and VALORANT. Utilising automated modelling, Abios’ low latency odds feed utilises official tournament data to power leading features such as bet builder and player props.
The new agreement is in addition to the Esports odds service Abios currently provides to Kindred as part of Kambi’s Turnkey Sportsbook service.
Anton Janér, Managing Director and Co-founder of Abios, said: “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Unibet and the wider Kindred Group, a leader in the global sports betting and gaming market. This agreement showcases the value of Abios’ full esports odds packages and our ability to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of operators and enables them to reach new audiences through the growth of esports.”
Ben Colley, Sportsbook Director of Kindred Group, added: “Esports continues to grow in popularity, and it’s essential that we offer our customers the best possible experience in this exciting category. Extending our partnership with Abios via Kambi’s Odds Feed+ API and leveraging their deep expertise and esports odds solutions ensures we remain at the forefront of esports betting, delivering unparalleled products and services to our players.”
The post Abios partners with Kindred Group to provide full esports betting solutions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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