Podcast•Feb 24, 2026•0 min
League of Legends Joins the Esports Nations Cup 2026
The episode announces that League of Legends will be featured in the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, joining 15 other titles in a nation‑versus‑nation format. It explains the competition structure: 32 nations, a new national team ranking to determine direct invites, play‑ins, group stages, and a November 21‑29 tournament schedule. The discussion also highlights the funding by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and the controversy over sports‑washing concerns. Host James Fudge provides context on how the ranking system works and the regional qualifiers leading up to the event.
By The Esports Advocate
Podcast•Feb 23, 2026•0 min
Evo Seeks to Assure Fans Following Acquisition by Qiddiya-Owned RTS
EVO announced that, despite being fully acquired by Saudi‑backed RTS (part of the Qiddiya megacity project), the tournament series will retain its community‑first values, legacy event formats, and brand identity. The organizers pledged new resources to support local fighting‑game scenes,...
By The Esports Advocate
Podcast•Feb 23, 2026•0 min
GameSquare Acquires TubeBuddy Assets
The episode details GameSquare Holdings' acquisition of TubeBuddy's assets from Ben Labs, exchanging 5 million shares of its new Series A2 Preferred Stock. TubeBuddy is an AI‑driven platform that helps creators and brands optimize YouTube performance through SEO, analytics, and workflow...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 20, 2026
The Road to EWC Begins at DreamHack Birmingham
ESL FACEIT Group unveiled the "Road to EWC" qualifiers at DreamHack Birmingham, scheduled for March 27‑29, with a combined $120,000 prize pool across Street Fighter 6, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and Trackmania. The events use double‑elimination formats and cap...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 20, 2026
Blacklyte Named Desk and Chair Sponsor of RLCS 2026 Boston Major
Blacklyte announced it will serve as the exclusive desk and chair sponsor for the Rocket League Championship Series 2026 Boston Major. The company’s Athena Pro Gaming Chair RLCS edition and Atlas Lite Desk will be featured onstage during the finals...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 19, 2026
Fighting Game Pro Ludovic Mbock Detained by ICE
Ludovic Mbock, a game advisor for The Hiero Group and logistics associate at Sam’s Club, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Maryland. Initial reports did not disclose his immigration status or the exact location of his arrest,...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 19, 2026
Qiddiya-Owned RTS Takes Control of Evolution Championship Series
Qiddiya City’s esports subsidiary RTS has acquired the remaining stake in the Evolution Championship Series (EVO) after India‑based NODWIN Gaming sold its equity. The transaction, whose financial terms were not disclosed, makes RTS the sole owner of the premier fighting‑game...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 19, 2026
EA’s Apex Legends Joins the Esports Nations Cup 2026
Electronic Arts’ free‑to‑play battle‑royale Apex Legends has been added to the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026, scheduled for November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The tournament will feature 40 national teams in a round‑robin group stage, with the top 20 advancing...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 19, 2026
Rocket League Championship Series Partners With Michelin
Rocket League Championship Series announced Michelin as its newest official partner, extending the tire maker’s brand into the esports arena. Michelin’s logo will appear in‑game, on broadcasts, social channels, and other media assets. The partnership was unveiled alongside the RLCS 2026...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 18, 2026
Runestone Expands Partnership With Roman Imperium Cup
Runestone announced an expanded partnership with Portugal’s Counter‑Strike 2 tournament, Roman Imperium Cup, becoming its official data partner for a multi‑event commitment through 2026. The deal gives the Cup access to Runestone’s secure live‑match data infrastructure, integrity monitoring, and fan‑focused analytics...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 17, 2026
NACE Heads to Full Sail University in April
The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) announced that the Spring 2026 Grand Finals will be held at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, from April 23‑26. Forty‑eight varsity teams from across North America will compete in six titles: League of...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 17, 2026
Saudi Government Changes the Name of Esports World Cup Foundation
Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers officially renamed the Esports World Cup Foundation to the Esports Foundation, reflecting its oversight of both the Esports World Cup and the Esports Nations Cup. The change was approved during a cabinet meeting that also...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 17, 2026
Team Vitality Partners With French Retailer E.Leclerc
Team Vitality announced a strategic partnership with French retail giant E.Leclerc, naming the retailer its main partner across all competitive divisions. The E.Leclerc logo will be featured on Vitality’s League of Legends, Valorant, Rocket League and Chess team jerseys. Both...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 16, 2026
GRID Partners With Forkast
Esports data platform GRID announced a partnership with prediction‑market firm Forkast, allowing GRID’s live match statistics to feed Forkast’s trading markets in real time. The deal’s financial terms and duration were not disclosed, and specifics of the integration were limited...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 15, 2026
Former G2 Executive Joins Esports World Cup Foundation
Sasha Alexandrov, former head of media at G2 Esports, announced his appointment as director of content and fan marketing for the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF). Alexandrov brings experience from Apple, The Guardian and other agencies to the Saudi‑funded EWCF,...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 15, 2026
Secretlab Named Official Chair & Desk Partner of PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
Secretlab has been named the official chair and desk partner for PGL's Counter‑Strike 2 tournament in Cluj‑Napoca 2026. The partnership supplies competitors with Secretlab chairs and desks and introduces a limited‑edition Titan EVO Edition chair bearing PGL branding. The event runs Feb. 9‑22,...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 14, 2026
BLAST Renews Partnership With Ubisoft for Rainbow Six Esports
BLAST has renewed its global partnership with Ubisoft to run Rainbow Six Siege esports through the 2028‑2029 season, extending the three‑year deal first signed in 2023. The agreement confirms major events for the 2026‑2027 circuit in Salt Lake City, Japan...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 13, 2026
Rivalry to Scale Back Operations
Rivalry Corp., a TSXV‑listed esports betting operator, announced it will dramatically scale back operations while evaluating strategic alternatives. The board approved immediate cost reductions, including a significant workforce cut and a pause on player activity with withdrawals permitted. Rivalry is...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 13, 2026
Qualcomm Signs Strategic Partnership Deal With Hero Esports
Qualcomm announced a strategic partnership with Chinese esports operator Hero Esports, designating its Snapdragon 8 Series as the official chip for four Tencent‑owned mobile leagues: King Pro League, Peace Elite League, CrossFire Mobile League and QQ Speed Mobile S League. The...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 13, 2026
Report: Savvy Games Group in Talks to Buy MOONTON Games
ByteDance is in advanced talks to sell its wholly owned studio MOONTON Games to Saudi sovereign‑wealth‑fund‑backed Savvy Games Group for roughly $6‑7 billion. MOONTON, creator of the hit mobile MOBA Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and its esports ecosystem, represents one of...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 12, 2026
Ghost Gaming Announces Build Together Game Jam
Ghost Gaming announced the three‑day "Build Together: Gaming, Storytelling & Belonging" event for Feb. 20‑22 in Atlanta, spanning Georgia State University and Spelman College. The initiative, backed by Ghost Launchpad, Shine A Light Gaming, Georgia Humanities and other partners, aims...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 12, 2026
Oddin.gg Secures Maryland Betting License
Oddin.gg announced it has secured a sports betting vendor license in Maryland, marking its seventh North American jurisdiction. The state’s betting market generated over $6.6 billion in wagers in 2025, adding significant volume to Oddin.gg’s portfolio. The company already operates in...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 12, 2026
Meet Boston Named Official Destination Partner for RLCS Major 2026
Meet Boston has signed a partnership to become the official destination partner for the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) 2026 Boston Major. The four‑day event will run Feb. 19‑22 at Boston University’s Agganis Arena, featuring 16 elite teams competing for a...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 12, 2026
The International Heads to Shanghai This Summer
Valve announced that The International 15 will be held in Shanghai from August 20‑23, 2026, at the Oriental Sports Center. The indoor arena can accommodate up to 18,000 fans depending on configuration. Sixteen teams will vie for the title after...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 12, 2026
FaZe Vegas Names Capriotti’s Its Official Sandwich Partner
FaZe Vegas, a top Call of Duty League franchise, announced a partnership with Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, naming the chain its official sandwich partner. The deal includes jersey branding, curated social‑media content, and fan‑perks that unlock special rewards after each team victory....
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 12, 2026
Toronto KOI Renews Partnership With SCUF Gaming
Toronto KOI, OverActive Media’s Call of Duty League franchise, has renewed its partnership with controller maker SCUF Gaming for a seventh straight year. While financial terms remain undisclosed, the agreement ensures SCUF will equip KOI players with elite‑level controllers and...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 11, 2026
ENASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series 2026 Season Detailed
iRacing and NASCAR unveiled the 2026 eNASCAR Coca‑Cola iRacing Series, expanding to 24 rounds and a $500,000 prize pool. The season splits into an 11‑round Qualifying Series featuring all three NASCAR national‑series vehicle classes, followed by a 13‑round Championship with...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 11, 2026
PUBG Global Series 2026 Partnered Teams Revealed
PUBG Esports unveiled the 12 global partner teams for the 2026 PUBG Global Series, including notable organizations such as Gen.G, Natus Vincere, and Virtus.pro. The partner program grants guaranteed entry to all PGS events, exclusive revenue‑sharing skin releases, and annual financial...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 10, 2026
ASUS ROG Partners With BLAST for BLAST Premier
International esports tournament operator BLAST has renewed its partnership with ASUS Republic of Gamers for the 2026 season of its Counter‑Strike 2 series. Under the agreement, ASUS ROG will provide official monitors, PCs, laptops, keyboards and mice for six BLAST Premier...
By The Esports Advocate
News•Feb 10, 2026
Savvy Games Group Signs Memorandum of Understanding With NMBRS
Savvy Games Group announced a Memorandum of Understanding with Stockholm‑based visual‑effects studio NMBRS at the D.I.C.E. conference, aiming to boost esports and game development in Saudi Arabia. NMBRS will establish a Riyadh presence, bringing VFX expertise from titles such as...
By The Esports Advocate