Bram Bartels’ Post

🌟 **The Esports Event of the Year: Esports World Cup 2024!** 🌟 We are thrilled to announce the Esports World Cup 2024, a monumental event set to redefine the competitive gaming landscape. Part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, this inaugural tournament will take place over eight exhilarating weeks from July 3rd to August 25th in Riyadh, boasting a massive prize pool exceeding $60 million. Key Highlights 🎮 **Diverse Game Lineup:** Featuring 21 of the most prominent esports titles, including Apex Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Call of Duty, Fortnite, League of Legends, and Dota 2, among others. Each game brings unique challenges and intense competition, showcasing the best talent worldwide. 🏆 Club Championship:This unique competition rewards the top 16 organizations with a separate $20 million prize pool. To qualify, teams must finish in the top eight in at least two EWC tournaments and win at least one. Points are distributed based on team performance, with top placements earning the highest rewards. 🎟️ Special Competitions:Look out for standout events such as the Apex Legends tournament from July 31st to August 4th with a $2 million prize pool, and the Counter-Strike 2 competition from July 17th to 21st featuring teams like G2 Esports and FaZe Clan competing for $1 million. Why This Matters: The Esports World Cup 2024 is not just about the prize money; it's a significant step in global esports development, pushing the boundaries of competitive gaming. Despite some criticism regarding Saudi Arabia's human rights record, the event promises unparalleled excitement and opportunities for players and fans alike. Stay tuned for more updates and join us in celebrating this groundbreaking event in the esports calendar. #EsportsWorldCup #Gaming #EWC2024 #SanityEsports #CompetitiveGaming #Vision2030 #Riyadh

Having worked in esports since 2012, I find it incredible that the International Olympic Committee announced the launch of the Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia in 2025. Video games as a competition was once a novel idea, but now there is a real path for players to compete on the global stage with the whole world behind them. This 12-year partnership with the Saudi National Olympic Committee signifies a monumental shift in the recognition and legitimacy of esports and gaming. The event underscores the IOC's commitment to embracing the digital revolution, featuring renowned titles such as Rocket League, Street Fighter, and League of Legends. IOC President Thomas Bach stated, "The world is changing, and we are living a digital revolution." Kudos to all the folks across the industry who made this happen. Brands that were early adopters should be proud of their vision and belief in gaming as a medium for sports. This event will not only showcase the incredible talent within esports but also harmoniously merge traditional Olympic values with the dynamic world of competitive gaming, creating a balanced and exciting event. Looking forward to 2025, this historic event promises to unite and celebrate the evolution of sports and gaming. For more details, check out the article in Sports Business Journal. https://lnkd.in/gRA9Yjmu #Esports #OlympicEsportsGames #RocketLeague #StreetFighter #LeagueOfLegends #IOC #Gaming #InnovationInSports #DigitalEra

⏪ Esports: A week in review It is that time again ladies and gentlemen, so please, allow me to bring you up to speed with some of the biggest stories from the world of esports this past week; 🥇 🎙The International Olympic Committee – IOC Board has announced it will be officially be opening discussions around the creation of the Olympic Esports Games in the next IOC Session, set to take place during the Paris 2024 games. Reports say that the IOC are already in advanced talks with a potential host. 🌍 ⚔ The Esports World Cup has added 2 final competitions to its already impressive roster of games. We will now also see teams compete across Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 as well as Call of Duty: Warzone. With the EWC set to kick off July 3rd, teams will compete across 21 fan-favourites. 🏆 🤝 The Esports Awards has entered a 3-year partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation. Fittingly, the Esports Awards will host a ceremony on the 24th of August in Riyadh, which will celebrate all corners of esports; clubs, athletes, content creators, games and more. 📱 🤝 MOONTON GAMES builds on its partnership with Saudi super-city, Qiddiya | القدية, to develop the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) ecosystem. Qiddiya | القدية were the presenting sponsor of the M5 World Championship back in December, and are looking to grow it’s involvement within the series through more online and offline activations, broadcast segments and other unforgettable experiences. 🍜 🤝 Following on from their partnership with BLAST announced last week, Unilever’s PotNoodle has teamed up with Fnatic. The partnership has a focus on activating during the BLAST Spring Finals through a co-created booth at the tournament; which will include giveaways, meet and greets and 1v1 tournaments. ✅ I hope you’re now a little more informed as we find ourselves in a rapidly growing esports world. Enjoy the rest of your week and as always, the biggest GG comes from me to you! #esports #esportsnews #esportspartnerships #gg

A crazy 2 months run of #EWC is happening soon in #Riaydh. Looking forward to witness this mega big event, on top of #olympicgames experience! #sportpsychology #performancecoach #dota2 #mlbb #esportpsychology

With the Esports World Cup kicking off in Riyadh, we asked our Director of Gaming, Luke Fisher, what he thought it meant for the industry: “The Esports World Cup in Riyadh has officially kicked off today, and it’s nothing short of spectacular. With a whopping $60 million prize pool (the largest prize pool since a $40 million 2021 DOTA tournament), this event has the scope to redefine the landscape of competitive gaming. More than 1,500 players from across the globe are converging in Riyadh City, eager to claim a piece of the massive prize pool. This unprecedented financial commitment signals a strong belief in the future of esports, not just as entertainment but as a legitimate competitive sport. One of the most exciting aspects of this tournament is the opportunities it provides for players and fans. Beyond the lucrative prize money, the athletes gain exposure, experience, and the chance to network with industry professionals. For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase their skills on a global stage. For the fans, the festival surrounding this tournament offers access to gaming activations, community tournaments, concerts, and pop-culture celebrations throughout the eight-week period. They’ve also made a conscious effort to make the World Cup as appealing as possible to multiple audiences, running 21 different game titles across the period. This diversity will give massive exposure to these games and will hopefully increase the active player bases significantly as a result. It’s an incredible opportunity for developers to showcase their games to a vast and truly global audience. I’m also personally very pleased to see older titles like PUBG getting a chance to be included in the tournament. From my experience, PUBG Corp could use a boost to their player base to get more people hunting down those chicken dinners! The Esports World Cup represents more than just a tournament. It symbolizes hope and a return to form for an industry that’s been facing extremely turbulent times. With such a significant investment, global participation, and a variety of games, I’m hopeful that this will give the gaming sector and esports in general a real boost.” #esports #creativeagency #gaming

Exciting Times for Esports: Olympic Esports Games Announced! The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially approved the creation of the Olympic Esports Games, marking a significant step forward in integrating esports into the Olympic movement. This decision, made during the 142nd IOC Session, embraces digital sports within the Olympic framework. The inaugural Olympic Esports Games will be hosted in Saudi Arabia in 2025, showcasing the nation's growing role as a global esports hub. Why This Matters: 1. Youth Engagement: With over three billion gamers worldwide, most of whom are under 34, esports is crucial for connecting with younger audiences. This initiative reflects the IOC’s commitment to engaging new generations of sports enthusiasts. 2. Global Reach: The Olympic Esports Games will attract participants from around the world, celebrating various virtual sports. This inclusive event will uphold Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect, bringing the excitement of esports to a global stage. 3. Economic and Social Impact:Saudi Arabia, under its Vision 2030 initiative, has seen a significant rise in sports participation, including esports, with major investments in infrastructure and professional development. Hosting this event is expected to boost the local economy and enhance the country's position as a global esports leader. The Bright Future of HADO HADO, a groundbreaking augmented reality (AR) sport, is also gaining popularity in the digital sports revolution. By combining physical activity with AR technology, HADO offers a unique and immersive experience that perfectly aligns with the modern digital age. Positive Outlook for HADO: - Innovative Gameplay:HADO’s blend of physical and digital elements creates an engaging sport that appeals to both traditional sports fans and tech-savvy gamers. - Growing Popularity:As more people discover AR sports, HADO is poised for exponential growth. Its inclusion in events like the Olympic Esports Games could propel it into the mainstream, attracting new fans and participants worldwide. - Health and Fitness:Unlike traditional esports, HADO emphasizes physical activity, making it a healthier alternative and appealing to a broader audience concerned with fitness and well-being. In conclusion, the advent of the Olympic Esports Games and the rise of innovative sports like HADO highlight a vibrant future for digital and augmented reality sports. These developments promise to bring new energy and inclusivity to the world of sports, inspiring millions globally. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the historic launch of the Olympic Esports Games in 2025! #HADO #AR #augmentedreality #technosport #Esports

🌟 Esports World Cup 2024: A Game-Changer in Competitive Gaming 🌟 As the Esports World Cup continues, it's evident that the landscape of competitive gaming is reaching new heights. The League of Legends tournament that finished only hours ago showcased not only the pinnacle of player skill in the IP but also advancements in the industry that will shape the future of esports. 🏆 Key Highlights: Unforgettable Matches: The level of competition was extraordinary, with matches that demonstrated remarkable strategic brilliance and individual talent. Congrats T1. Rising Stars: New players emerged on the global stage, highlighting the continuous influx of fresh talent into the League of Legends ecosystem. Fan Engagement: Viewer interaction hit record levels, with millions engaging across multiple platforms, emphasising the growing fan base and community involvement. 💡 Industry Insights from Game Focus Consulting: Innovative Broadcasting: The use of VR and AR technologies provided an immersive viewing experience, setting a new standard for esports broadcasts. Sponsorship Growth: The investment from prominent brands such as Pepsi and Adidas underscores the mainstream appeal and substantial market potential of esports. The Esports World Cup 2024 has already been proven to be a pivotal event, showcasing the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of competitive gaming. At Game Focus Consulting, we are excited about the opportunities this growth presents for stakeholders across the industry. From strategic innovation to community engagement, the future of esports looks brighter than ever. Personally, I might be a little biased, but I can't wait for Week 7 featuring StarCraft 2. Bring it on #GLHF! Congratulations to all the teams, players, and organisers for an exceptional EWC event as it continues. #Esports #LeagueOfLegends #EsportsWorldCup2024 #GamingIndustry #Innovation #Community #FutureOfEsports #GameFocusConsulting

🚀 Game changers: The esports industry’s underdog story Esports World Cup Foundation Director of Team and Player Relations Hans Jagnow spoke with CNN about how much the esports industry has already grown and how much further the Esports World Cup aims to take it 🔜 🌍 Over eight weeks, the EWC attracted over two million visitors to Riyadh and captured an extraordinary audience of over 500 million —dwarfing the 123 million that watched the 2024 Super Bowl. “We’re on track to become one of, if not the, biggest sports in the world.” 🔀 The EWC showcased the tremendous variety of the world of esports with 21 game titles in a variety of genres with over 500 teams and 1500 players competing. This allowed esports fans to experience new games and discover new heroes while supporting their favourite teams. “Nurturing this curiosity is our goal, as we want fans to explore and learn more about the world of esports.” 🚀 Taking the esports industry to the next level is the ultimate goal. It was inspiring to see 1,200 industry leaders gather at the New Global Sport Conference to discuss, collaborate and plan on how we can increase esports’ growth and momentum. “The Esports World Cup is just one piece of this puzzle, we’re scaling the ecosystem.” 👋 Over 3 billion, nearly half of the world’s population, play video games and we want to reach them. Our ultimate goal is to convert gaming hobbyists into esports diehards who see gaming tournaments as a key piece of entertainment in their lives. “There’s so much potential, we’re looking at the global esports communities and their long-term ambitions to figure out how we can collaborate and grow from there.” We are proud to be a part of the Esports World Cup Foundation success story this year, more to come soon. #esports #ewc2025 #ewc #gaming #newglobalsport https://lnkd.in/emQT9Dc3

The Esports World Cup Foundation announced the list of teams participating in the Esports World Cup Club Support Program. The organizations include: Cloud9 Esports, Inc., Blacklist International, FaZe Clan, Fnatic, FURIA, G2 Esports, Gaimin Gladiators, Karmine Corp, Gen.G, Guild Esports, Movistar KOI, OG Esports, NRG Esports, Weibo Corporation Gaming, T1 Entertainment & Sports, TALON, Twisted Minds, Natus Vincere, Team Secret, Team Vitality, TSM, LGDGaming, LOUD, Team Liquid, Tundra Esports, Team Falcons, Virtus.pro, Spacestation Gaming, 100 Thieves, and Ninjas in Pyjamas. Europe and North America are heavily represented among the esports orgs’ regions, with Asia, South America, and the Middle East having the lowest representation in the bunch. The program will support esports organizations in receiving six figure funding to enter into new esports titles. The program will also allow orgs to expand into new international markets by signing athletes and rosters outside their home region. The club support program expanded its number of available slots from 28 to 30, given more than 150 applications were received. Eight of the 30 clubs were selected through an open application period that measured an org’s esports pedigree, its forward looking competitive strategy and goals, and its creative approach to content and fan engagement. With the Esports World Cup coming up soon, there will be $60 million in prize pool on the line across 20 different titles. The event itself will span from July 3rd through August 25th across 8 weeks and various titles spanning multiple weeks. For reference, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is a part of the funding for the Esports World Cup, which sees ties to Savvy Games Group and ESL FACEIT Group - EFG which owns ESL Gaming, FACEIT, and DreamHack. Follow #MoreMark for #Business content in #Gaming, #Esports, and #Creators!

⚡ 𝐄𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 2025 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐩 🎯The three-year partnership with Smilegate, a global game development and publishing company, will bring one of the most popular games, CROSSFIRE, to the 2025 Esports World Cup, the world’s largest gaming and esports event, set to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, next summer. 🌍 The global number 1 FPS game boasts over 1.1 billion lifetime users across more than 80 countries and holds a record of 8 million concurrent users. 📽️ The game’s popularity spans more than a decade and has led to the development of multiple media adaptations, including a streaming series based on CROSSFIRE esports, which drew more than 1.8 billion viewers in the first weeks of the show in 2020. 🏆 CROSSFIRE’s global esports league, CROSSFIRE Stars, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023. We are thrilled to welcome CROSSFIRE to the Esports World Cup 2025,” said Fabian Scheuermann, Chief Games Officer, Esports World Cup Foundation. “CROSSFIRE has built an incredible legacy as one of the most beloved games in China, Asia-Pacific, and many other countries across the world, and continues to grow its passionate fanbase.” He added, “We’re grateful to the CROSSFIRE team for their dedication and collaboration in forming this three-year partnership. The mutual trust we’ve built reflects our shared vision of bringing CROSSFIRE to the biggest stage in Riyadh and working together to collectively support the sustainable growth of esports as a global sport.” “The inclusion of CROSSFIRE in the Esports World Cup 2025 marks a significant milestone for both the game and its global esports ecosystem,” said Ina Jang, CEO at Smilegate Entertainment. “As one of the most popular FPS titles worldwide, CROSSFIRE has fostered a dedicated community of players and fans over the past decade. Joining the EWC provides an exciting platform to showcase the skill, passion, and competitive spirit of CROSSFIRE esports to a broader audience, further solidifying its place on the global stage. We look forward to working alongside the Esports World Cup Foundation to deliver a world-class experience for our players, fans, and partners.” #EsportsWorldCup #Crossfire #EWCF #EWC2025 #Smilegate #Esports #Gaming