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eSports

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.

Asia

NODWIN Gaming Partners with Sony LIV for Streaming Rights of Esports World Cup 2025

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NODWIN Gaming, South Asia’s leading esports and gaming company, has announced that Sony LIV has acquired the Hindi and English language media rights for select matches of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, further amplifying the tournament’s reach and representation across India.

As part of the partnership, Sony LIV will stream select matches from the Esports World Cup in India, bringing the action to millions of fans in languages they resonate with. The Hindi-language broadcast will be available exclusively on the Sony LIV app and official website.

In addition, Sony LIV will also stream the weekly shows, behind-the-scenes features and player interactions spotlighting EWC athletes and teams, curated for both core and casual esports audiences. This collaboration follows NODWIN Gaming’s recent partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) to manage media rights and regional distribution across South Asia.

Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, said: “Our goal is to bring the Esports World Cup to as many passionate fans across South Asia as possible, and this partnership with Sony LIV is a major step in that direction. It combines Sony LIV’s incredible reach with NODWIN’s focus on building localized, fan-first esports experiences. With both Hindi and premium English content, we are creating a viewing experience that feels personal, immersive, and truly regional.”

With the addition of Sony LIV as the exclusive Hindi broadcast partner and NODWIN Gaming as the strategic regional media and marketing partner, the EWC is poised to reach unprecedented heights in South Asia. This aligns with the mission of making esports more inclusive, accessible and locally relevant.

With top-tier Indian talent competing across multiple titles, the Esports World Cup 2025 presents a unique opportunity to showcase India’s growing presence in global esports and to unite audiences around a shared national dream.

The post NODWIN Gaming Partners with Sony LIV for Streaming Rights of Esports World Cup 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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eWear launches aim.one – the world’s first functional gaming wear for esports athletes and gaming-fans

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From hoodies to short-sleeved jerseys: the entire collection has been developed to meet the specific needs of gamers – uncompromising, highest-quality and thought-out down to the last detail.

“There is the right functional clothing for every sport – for soccer, tennis, golf… Gaming used to have this gap. Not anymore!”, say the founders.

The debut collection features 4 products and thus offers the right piece for all gamers: hoodie, longsleeve, shirt and pants. Each combines innovative functionality with comfort and style. Smart gadgets – including special ventilation zones, padding and other features to promote reaction, focus and grip – make this clothing a real support in the game.

Developed from the ground up specifically for playing at a PC, “aim.one is for everyone who wants to take their gaming to the next level – from high-end eSports pros to hobby gamers,” say the founders. “With this collection, gamers finally get their own clothing tailored to their passion!”

 

The product launch will take place via Kickstarter on the 5th of August!

Until launch, Gamers can unlock MVP status for only a €/$1 donation. This grants up to 35% discount during the campaign — plus a free nickname print on their apparel.

The post eWear launches aim.one – the world’s first functional gaming wear for esports athletes and gaming-fans appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Stake strikes international esports partnership with Team Vitality

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  • Team Vitality is proud to unveil a landmark multi-year partnership with Stake, the world’s leading online casino and sportsbook platform, in a major seven-figure agreement.

  • As the official international betting partner of Team Vitality’s Counter-Strike 2 roster, Stake will benefit from a comprehensive activation plan: prominent jersey placement, high-impact brand campaigns across social media, innovative content production, and exclusive access to players.

  • Unveiled at IEM Cologne 2025, one of the most prestigious events on the Counter-Strike calendar, the partnership marks a new chapter in Stake’s ongoing expansion into esports. It also highlights the increasing appeal of the industry to global brands seeking visibility, high-value engagement, and premium positioning on the international stage.

Team Vitality today announces a major multi-year agreement with Stake, a global leader in the betting and gaming sector. Through this partnership, Stake becomes the official international partner of Team Vitality’s CS2 team, with the ambition of establishing a strong presence in the esports ecosystem. The two organisations will collaborate on exclusive content and bold creative activations. First stop: IEM Cologne, where the team will debut its new jersey featuring Stake’s branding at one of the most iconic events in competitive Counter-Strike.

With this collaboration, Team Vitality joins the ranks of established global sports such as Formula 1, MMA, and football, solidifying its place in the mainstream sports landscape and taking another step forward in the global recognition of esports.

 

STAKE JOINS FORCES WITH THE BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD

This alliance comes at a landmark moment for Team Vitality’s Counter-Strike 2 roster, which has made history this year by winning multiple consecutive titles, including the prestigious ESL Grand Slam and Blast Austin Major last month. Recognised as a global powerhouse in the CS2 scene, the team embodies a culture of bold ambition, elite performance, and the thrill of competition – values shared by Stake. This partnership brings together two brands that place intensity and excellence at the core of their identity.

Stake will play a key role in supporting the CS2 roster throughout the world’s most prominent international competitions. First, the brand will be featured across Team Vitality CS’s digital platforms. Second, the two brands will co-create premium content activations and provide fans with exclusive player access year-round. Lastly, Stake’s logo will appear on the front and left collarbone of the team’s official jersey.

 

PARTNERSHIP KICKS OFF IN COLOGNE

As the reigning champions of last year’s tournament, Team Vitality is launching this partnership at a pivotal moment in the competitive calendar. IEM Cologne is one of the most iconic and widely followed tournaments on the Counter-Strike circuit, with the 2024 edition attracting over one million viewers – making it the second most-watched CS event of the year.

This event gathers a passionate global audience and provides a powerful platform to associate Stake with the highest level of competition and emotion. It is a strategic opportunity to activate the partnership during a peak moment of tension, spectacle, and performance – creating a strong, authentic connection between the brand, the team, and Vitality fans worldwide.

“This partnership with Stake is historic: not only for its scale but also for its symbolic value. It reflects the success of our ambition to establish Team Vitality as a leading global esports brand, alongside the biggest names in their respective industries. At a defining point in our Counter-Strike journey, this collaboration will allow us to create innovative experiences, offer exclusive content around our team, and support our CS2 roster as it reaches new competitive heights,” said Vas Roberts, co-CEO of Team Vitality.

“This partnership brings together two industry powerhouses: Stake, a global leader in betting and entertainment, and Team Vitality, the reigning CS2 world champions. This collaboration adds esports to our globally renowned portfolio of sports and entertainment partnerships, with Team Vitality representing exactly the caliber of world-class partner we seek as we enter the esports arena,” said Akhil Sarin, Chief Marketing Officer at Stake.

The post Stake strikes international esports partnership with Team Vitality appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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