The Esports Advocate
Esports business news: deals, legal, and governance.
Documents
2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Esports Lineup
The Olympic Council of Asia has finalized the esports lineup for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, scheduled to take place from September 9 to October 4.
- The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will feature 11 medal-contending esports titles, with the roster split between six Chinese-developed and five Japanese-developed games.
- Dota 2 has been excluded from the 2026 lineup due to concerns over match duration variability, which complicates scheduling and live broadcast requirements compared to more consistent titles like League of Legends.
- The selected esports titles include Street Fighter, Tekken, King of Fighters, Pokemon UNITE, Honor of Kings, League of Legends, PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Identity V, Naraka: Bladepoint, Gran Turismo 7, eFootball, and Puyo Puyo Champions.
FocusFuel Partners With Ubisoft and GNC for Assassin’s Creed Shadows Promotion
Ubisoft and supplement brand FocusFuel have entered a retail partnership with GNC to promote the upcoming launch of the video game Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
- Ubisoft and FocusFuel have partnered with GNC to launch a promotional bundle featuring caffeine gummies and in-game content for the upcoming title Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
- The promotion will be available in 2,000 GNC retail locations across the United States, with the new 'Citrus Yuzu' flavor priced at $5.49.
- Purchasers of the promotional product receive an in-game code for a cosmetic item, a currency pack, and an exclusive FocusFuel-inspired naginata weapon.
Restructuring at ESL FACEIT Group: Layoffs at Burbank Office Signal a Strategic Shift
ESL FACEIT Group is undergoing a strategic restructuring that involves the closure of its Burbank, California, office and the consolidation of its North American operations into a single studio facility in Columbus, Ohio.
- ESL FACEIT Group is closing its Burbank, California office and laying off staff as part of a broader effort to consolidate its North American operations.
- While initial reports indicated a majority of the Burbank staff would be terminated, an ESL spokesperson stated that only a small number of employees are affected, with others being offered relocation to Ohio or remote work options.
- The Burbank facility housed approximately 20 to 30 employees who were integrated into the company following the March 2023 acquisition of Vindex and its subsidiary, Esports Engine.
Tencent Signs Strategic Partnership With Xiaohongshu for King Pro League
Tencent has entered into a strategic partnership with the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, also known as Rednote, to integrate the platform into the King Pro League (KPL) ecosystem.
- Tencent has entered a strategic partnership with the social media platform Xiaohongshu (Rednote) to make it an official streaming and community partner for the King Pro League (KPL) in 2025.
- Tencent holds a 13.19% equity stake in Rednote, which marks the platform's first official entry into the Chinese esports scene.
- The partnership aligns with demographic synergies, as over 50% of KPL viewers are women and over 70% of Rednote’s user base is female.
China's Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Pro League Signs First Key Partners
Moonton Games has secured its inaugural group of commercial partners for the newly established Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Pro League (MLBBPL) in China.
- Moonton Games has secured its first set of commercial partners for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Pro League (MLBBPL) in China.
- Realme has signed on as the league's strategic partner and official smartphone equipment provider for competing players.
- China Unicom, Durex, and China Minsheng Bank have joined the league as official Chinese special partners.
NineBot Becomes Official Chinese Partner of Valorant Champions Tour and Valorant Masters
NineBot, a China-based electronic motorcycle manufacturer, has entered into a strategic partnership with TJ Sports to become the official Chinese partner for the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) and Valorant Masters.
- NineBot has signed a partnership with TJ Sports to become the official Chinese partner for the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) China region and Valorant Masters.
- The partnership will debut at Valorant Masters Bangkok, which runs from February 20 to March 2, 2025.
- Financial terms of the deal between NineBot and TJ Sports were not disclosed.
International Olympic Committee Announces First Esports Olympic Games in 2027
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially confirmed that the inaugural Olympic Esports Games will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027.
- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027.
- The event is the result of a 12-year partnership agreement signed in 2024 between the IOC and the Saudi Arabian government.
- The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has been named a founding partner for the games, with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) facilitating the event.
IESF Formally Announces 2025 Games Line-Up
The International Esports Federation (IESF) has officially confirmed its competitive game lineup for the 2025 season, marking the 17th year of the organization’s operations.
- The International Esports Federation (IESF) has finalized its 2025 competitive game line-up, featuring Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, eFootball, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and PUBG Mobile.
- This selection marks the third consecutive year the IESF has maintained an identical roster of titles for its tournament circuit.
- The 2025 season represents the 17th year of operation for the federation.
Riot Games Signs Three-Year Deal with the Esports World Cup Foundation
Riot Games has entered into a three-year partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation to integrate three of its flagship titles—League of Legends, Valorant, and Teamfight Tactics—into the annual Esports World Cup held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Riot Games has signed a three-year partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation to feature League of Legends, Valorant, and Teamfight Tactics in the annual summer competition held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- The agreement includes a global commercial partnership between the Esports World Cup Foundation and Riot’s competitive circuits, encompassing in-broadcast activations across LoL Esports, the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT), and the TFT 2025 circuit.
- Financial terms of the three-year deal were not disclosed by either party.
Kosovo to Host the IESF European Esports Championship 2025
The International Esports Federation (IESF) has officially selected Pristina, Kosovo, as the host city for the 2025 European Esports Championship.
- Pristina, Kosovo, will host the International Esports Federation (IESF) European Esports Championship in July 2025.
- The event will feature over 250 athletes from across Europe competing in PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike 2 (Open and Women’s divisions).
- The tournament is being organized in partnership with the Esports Federation of Kosovo, with support from the nation’s government and the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Sports.
FATAL FURY Joins the 2025 Esports World Cup Line-Up
The Esports World Cup Foundation has entered into a three-year partnership with SNK Corporation to integrate the Fatal Fury fighting game franchise into its annual multi-week tournament series.
- The Esports World Cup Foundation has signed a three-year partnership with SNK to feature the Fatal Fury franchise in its annual multi-week summer competition.
- The upcoming title, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, will be included in the 2025 Esports World Cup lineup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is scheduled for a multi-platform release in April 2025 and marks the first entry in the fighting game series in 26 years.
ESL FACEIT Group Renews Multi-Year Partnership With Intel
The ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) has officially renewed its long-standing partnership with Intel, securing a multi-year agreement to continue their collaboration in the global esports sector.
- ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) and Intel have renewed their long-standing partnership through a new multi-year deal to support global Counter-Strike 2 competitions.
- Intel will remain the marquee sponsor for EFG’s Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) and ESL Pro Tour tournament series, extending a collaborative relationship that has spanned 24 years.
- The announcement precedes the IEM Katowice Grand Finals, scheduled for February 7–9, 2025, at the Spodek Arena in Poland, which features a $1.25 million USD total prize pool.