The SportsTech Brief

The business of sports tech, in brief.

Esports news

Showing
Sport
Esports · 3 Apr 2026 · GB

“How do you fix EMEA?” The VCT EMEA is falling behind, but can it catch up?

VCT EMEA Stage 1 has just kicked off this week. The tournament sees twelve teams compete in the region’s semi-franchised tier-one VALORANT circuit for three slots at the next VCT global event, Masters London in June. However, EMEA’s latest international showing didn’t inspire confidence in the…

Esports Insider
Esports · 2 Apr 2026 · Global

2XKO is not going to last in the FGC, and it’s Riot Games’ fault

2XKO has been handled wrong from the beginning, and I think it’s fair to say it won’t be in the FGC for much longer. It’s a bit jarring, of course. I used to write a lot of articles about how 2XKO would save fighting game esports. It was backed by Riot, which could actually put … Continued

Esports Insider
Esports · 31 Mar 2026 · Global

But I believe Aang can save the FGC: We need simple fun, like Avatar Legends

I previously argued against Avatar Legends, I’ll admit it. I said they’re just turning anything into a fighting game these days. It’s just the easiest, cheapest option, but most of these games are slop. I’m not taking that back, but I do think Avatar Legends may be a special case. And it may even…

Esports Insider
Esports · 23 Mar 2026 · Global

Street Fighter 6 won’t be getting any gen AI content, marking the FGC safe from slop

There is nothing the gaming community has united on more than a hatred of AI, and that has carried over into the more niche esports scenes as well. The FGC is one of those scenes, fighting back against any sign of AI, like in the Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves’ Season 2 trailer. Maybe … Continued

Esports Insider
Esports · 9 Mar 2026 · Global

PGL commits $22m to Tier 1 Counter-Strike in 2027 and 2028

Esports tournament organiser PGL has announced it will commit at least $22m (~£16.5m) to the Counter-Strike 2 ecosystem over the next two years. As a result, the organiser will host six Tier 1 tournaments in 2027 and 2028, offering stability and sustainability within the first-person shooter…

Esports Insider
Esports · 9 Mar 2026 · JP

Crazy Raccoon unveils OWCS roster for 2026

Japanese esports organisation Crazy Raccoon has revealed its Overwatch esports roster for 2026. Seven players, which includes a mixture of new and returning names, will represent the organisation in the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS) circuit this season. Since the start of 2026, two new players…

Esports Insider
Esports · 9 Mar 2026 · CN

FURIA and Gentle Mates suffer VALORANT Masters Santiago elimination

VCT Americas first seed FURIA and EMEA side Gentle Mates have become the first Playoffs contestants to be eliminated from VALORANT Masters Santiago. The two teams were sent home by BBL Esports (EMEA) and All Gamers (China), respectively, with both organisations remaining in the running for the…

Esports Insider
Esports · 9 Mar 2026 · SE

MOUZ and Team Spirit qualify for ESL Pro League Season 23 playoffs

MOUZ and Team Spirit have become the first teams to qualify for the ESL Pro League Season 23 playoffs after winning three matches during the second online stage of the tournament. The two teams will form part of an eight-team field that will compete at Stockholm’s Annexet to be crowned champion…

Esports Insider
Esports · 9 Mar 2026 · BR, CN

JD Gaming secures the last spot for First Stand 2026

Chinese esports organisation JD Gaming is the last team to qualify for First Stand, the first international tournament on the 2026 League of Legends esports calendar. The team locked its qualification after advancing to the grand final of the LPL Split 1 Playoffs, and will head to São Paulo…

Esports Insider
Esports · 8 Mar 2026 · CN

BBL Esports and All Gamers sent to VALORANT Masters Santiago Playoffs lower bracket

Yesterday’s second playoff day at VALORANT Masters Santiago saw regional first seeds BBL Esports (EMEA) and All Gamers (China) record opening match losses. Meanwhile, reigning VALORANT Champions winner NRG and fellow Americas team G2 Esports will next face off against Paper Rex and Nongshim…

Esports Insider
Esports · 7 Mar 2026 · CA

Paper Rex and Nongshim RedForce win first VALORANT Masters Santiago Playoffs matches

VALORANT Masters Santiago kicked off its Playoffs stage yesterday with victories from Masters Toronto champion Paper Rex and fellow VCT Pacific team Nongshim RedForce. The teams’ opponents, FURIA (Americas) and Gentle Mates (EMEA), have now dropped to the lower bracket. Paper Rex Denied FURIA Upset…

Esports Insider
Esports · 6 Mar 2026 · US

Sentinels signs JonahP to its VCT 2026 roster

Sentinels has announced the signing of Jonah ‘JonahP’ Pulice to its 2026 VCT roster ahead of Stage 1 Americas. The North American organisation hasn’t officially announced who the Professor will replace on the team. However, considering Mirel ‘Kyu‘ Hrustemovic has Sentinels listed as one of his…

Esports Insider
Esports · 6 Mar 2026 · CN

2026 Honor of Kings Major League Spring loses three teams due to travel issues

The Honor of Kings Major League Committee has announced that it will be making changes to the 2026 Major League Spring. According to a statement released online, teams Astar Esports, Alpha7 Esports, and Leviatán will not compete in the tournament due to “uncertainty around connecting flights.” On…

Esports Insider