GRID Partners With Smilegate for Crossfire Esports Data

GRID, a specialized esports gaming data and betting technology platform, has entered into a partnership with South Korean game publisher Smilegate to manage the official match data infrastructure and distribution for the Crossfire esports ecosystem. The collaboration aims to leverage live match data to drive commercial growth, improve fan engagement, and enhance player experiences across the franchise. While the financial terms of the agreement remain undisclosed, the integration is scheduled to begin in 2026.

The partnership focuses on the Crossfire first-person shooter franchise, which boasts a significant global footprint with over one billion lifetime registered players across more than 80 countries. Smilegate’s global esports league, Crossfire Stars, maintains a particularly strong presence in Southeast Asia and Latin America, having reportedly attracted over one billion viewers. By formalizing data distribution, Smilegate intends to innovate around its intellectual property and further cultivate its international community.

This deal expands GRID’s existing portfolio, which already includes official data partnerships for major titles such as League of Legends, Valorant, Rainbow Six Siege, and PUBG, as well as the Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 ecosystems. The move aligns with GRID’s broader strategy of securing official data rights to support the expanding esports betting and analytics market. The partnership represents a significant step for both companies in professionalizing the data infrastructure surrounding one of the world’s most widely played shooter franchises.