Business Global Esports Industry Week Moves to IEM Cologne and Turns Cologne Into Esports Hotspot Two months before gamescom, Cologne will become a hotspot for esports. For the first time, the Global Esports Industry Week will take place in Cologne alongside IEM Cologne, a series of events for esports creators and partners. By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read
Sébastien Ratto - Senior Director Competitive Products Ubisoft © Joao Ferreira / Ubisoft Business The Importance of the Rainbow Six Esports Ecosystem for Ubisoft The R6 Major took place in Munich at the end of 2025. Now it's time for the Six Invitational in Paris. GamesMarkt spoke to Sébastien Ratto, Ubisoft's Senior Director of Competitive Products, about esports as an entertaining event, the German R6 community, and ways to strengthen esports. By Marcel Kleffmann • 8 min read
The Esports World Cup Foundation has confirmed a $45 million commitment to players, clubs, and national teams for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup in 2026. The ENC 2026 will take place from 2 to 29 November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. © Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) Business Esports Nations Cup 2026 Debuts in November With a $45m Funding Commitment The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced the dates of the competition and the prize model for the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC). This new global esports competition is built around national teams, national pride and iconic rivalries. By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
Winamax Partners with G2 Esports and Riot Games © Winamax Business Winamax Partners with G2 Esports and Riot Games Winamax is sponsoring the professional League of Legends team, G2 Esports. The French sports betting operator will also become the 'Official Sports Betting Operator' of Riot Games for European and international League of Legends and Valorant competitions. By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
The Esports World Cup 2026 prize pool rises to $75m © Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) Esports Esports World Cup 2026: $75m Prize Pool, Full Games Line-up and Schedule The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has confirmed a total prize pool of $75 million, as well as the full game line-up and schedule for the Esports World Cup 2026 (EWC). The world's largest esports event will return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 6 July to 23 August 2026. By Marcel Kleffmann • 5 min read
LEC Roadtrip 2026 © Riot Games Esports League of Legends EMEA Championship Roadtrips to Spain and France Riot Games is planning to host more League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) roadtrips in 2026. For the first time ever, the LEC will stop in Barcelona, before heading to Madrid and Évry-Courcouronnes, which is south of Paris. By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
Esports KitKat and Razer Are Partners at Valorant Esports EMEA Valorant Esports, specifically the Valorant Champions Tour and Game Changers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, has announced two partnerships: one with KitKat and one with Razer. By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
Esports Nations Cup © ENC/EWCF Business Esports Nations Cup 2026: Application for National Team Partners The EWCF has opened the application process for official National Team Partners for the 2026 Esports Nations Cup (ENC). To support the long-term growth of nation-based esports, the EWCF is establishing the ENC Development Fund, committing a minimum of $20 million each year. By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
epf / Dextro Energy Business Dextro Energy and esports player foundation Partner Up Dextro Energy becomes the newest partner of the esports player foundation. Apart from product sponsoring, so-called Dextro Athletes within the epf are planned to combine esports with traditional sports. By Pascal Wagner • 1 min read
Esports Nations Cup 2026 © Esports World Cup Foundation Esports Competition Format for the Inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026 The Esports Nations Cup aims to bring national pride to the global esports arena on an ongoing basis. Sixteen games and a multi-layered qualification process have been confirmed for the inaugural global esports event. By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
Christopher Flato (left, ESBD) and Felix Falk (game) approve of the non-profit status for esports that is to come. Esports Update Non-Profit-Status for Esports : Tax Law Amendment Passes Bundesrat As expected, the tax change decided by the Federal Council was also passed by the Federal Council today. This clears the last formal hurdle to the recognition of esports as a non-profit status in Germany. By Pascal Wagner • 2 min read
Markus Möckel, branch manager of the ESBD © Alina Ehmann Esports Deutsche Mobile Gaming and E-Sport-Bund Deutschland Foster Mobile Esports in Germany Deutsche Mobile Gaming e.V. (establishing) is launching an esports qualifier in collaboration with E-Sport-Bund Deutschland e.V. (ESBD). The aim is to build a national squad for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), but also to promote mobile esports in Germany. By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
