The Global Esports Federation (GEF) and the European Olympic Committees (EOC) confirmed that #EGE23 will run from June 30 to July 2. The International Congress Center (MCK) in Katowice will become the epicenter of digital competition and is set to be a landmark event in the region's sporting calendar.

The Open and Women Categories for eFootball™ 2023 and Open Category for Rocket League at #EGE23 will allow esports athletes from across the continent to compete for national glory.

 

Commenting on the groundbreaking nature of #EGE23, Aurelia Ruetsch, GEF Board Member and Chair of the EGE23 Coordination Commission, said, “The European Games Esports Championships represents a pioneering moment for esports in Europe. Having been part of the team at the inaugural European Games Baku 2015, I am thrilled to see another first with the EOC as we convene top-level esports competitions alongside traditional sports, celebrating youth culture in the heart of Europe.”

 

“We are delighted to see esports in this prestigious event – the European Games. The #EGE23 is a significant milestone in the development of esports in Europe. It’s a joyful celebration of youth, esports, and sport all together,” added Chris Chan, President of the GEF.

 

In addition to the esports competitions, the #EGE23 will feature the GEFestival – a celebration of esports’ inclusive culture, games, music, and entertainment – and GEFcon, a global convention of thought leaders and idea creators in business, esports, sport, and technology on an international stage for sharing and learning.

 

Spyros Capralos, EOC President, said, “The Esports Championships is an extraordinary addition to the European Games lineup and underscores the progressive vision of the diversity and inclusivity of the sports world, highlighting the common ground they share in terms of dedication, strategy, and the pursuit of excellence.

 

“We are delighted to collaborate with the Global Esports Federation on the first of many planned initiatives.”

 

Hasan Arat, Chair of the EOC Coordination Commission for the European Games 2023, said, “The EOC is delighted to have partnered with the Global Esports Federation to host the Esports Championships in Katowice this summer.

 

“Esports is hugely popular worldwide, especially among the younger generation, and as the European Games continues to look for ways to innovate and attract a younger audience, this is a significant step.

 

“The International Congress Center in Katowice will be the perfect venue for the competition, and I know that it will be a memorable occasion for all the esports athletes taking part.”

 

The #worldconnected community of GEF is thriving and expanding, with a diverse and thrilling range of global events this year. These include the Pan American Esports Championships in Santiago and the Riyadh 2023 Global Esports Games in Saudi Arabia. These events are aimed at bringing together exceptional talents in esports while highlighting the diversity and enthusiasm of #worldconnected.

The Road to Riyadh

Chris Chan (L) hands over the Global Esports Federation flag to HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud at the Closing Ceremony of Istanbul 2022 Global Esports Games.

As the Istanbul 2022 Global Esports Games wrapped, eyes are turned to Saudi Arabia’s capital, to be the host of the 2023 Global Esports Federation’s flagship event – Riyadh 2023 Global Esports Games. After a wonderful time in Türkey, the organizers are rallying to stage a thrilling event in December 2023.

For HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, GEF Vice President, President of the Saudi Esports Federation and Arab Esports Federation, there is further responsibility in his new role as Chair of the Coordination Commission of the Global Esports Games 2023 in Saudi Arabia and 2024 in China.

HRH Prince Faisal is excited to welcome the world to the Saudi capital and looks forward to showcasing the progress of the development of esports and gaming in the process.

“There is an outdated perception of gamers as people locked in basements. Gamers are athletes, they are sociable, and they are good people. They love to be part of a community,” said HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud.

The Saudi esports scene is helping to showcase that point. “Sixty-eight percent of our community consider themselves gamers, and it is well-balanced between men and women,” he added.

 

The Global Esports Games will be staged in Riyadh in December 2023, providing a prestigious platform for national teams to represent their flags and showcase to the world their talents and skills as athletes.

With Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) being the member representing South Africa, MSSA will be doing everything within its power to ensure that South Africa will be represented at Riyadh.

MSSA sees the Global Esports Games as an important event in the overall development of esports as a sport.

Additional reading:

• 2023 Calendar of Events
• Affiliation: Private Clubs
• Affiliation - School
• GEF - The Road to Riyadh
• Titles - esports: Premier Championships
• Titles - esports: Student Championships

The Global Esports Federation Approves Commissions for 2021

 The Global Esports Federation announces the Commissions for 2021 to continue the robust work the GEF Board and Commissions have accomplished over the launch year.

The 10 GEF Commissions and 2 Advisory Councils will be led by members of the GEF Board, with contributions from world-leading experts from the esports and sports communities, corporate governance, technology, and business sectors. The Commissions will help guide the GEF in fulfilling its mission to promote the credibility, legitimacy, and prestige of esports, and in developing a safe, healthy, and sustainable esports ecosystem.

“The Global Esports Federation will continue to draw on a diverse range of experience and expertise from the world’s esports and sporting communities. I trust that the GEF Commissions and all appointed members will play an active role in advising the GEF Board and facilitating the dynamic work and development in convening the world’s esports community,” said Chris Chan, President, Global Esports Federation.

“These important Commissions drive the evolution of the organisation. We have assembled more than 120 Commission members representative of the community whom we serve, convene, and collaborate with. The Commissions are a driving force within the GEF and a central point of our organizational governance structures,” remarked T.A. Ganda Sithole, GEF Vice President & Chair, Governance, Ethics & Membership Commission.

The Global Esports Federation Commissions 2021:

1. Athletes, Players, Community (APC)

2. Brand, Marketing, Commercial, Communications (BMCC)

3. Digital, Technology, Innovation, Active Esports (DTIA)

4. Education, Culture, Youth (ECY)

5. Finance, Legal, Administration (FLA)

6. Governance, Ethics & Membership (GEM)

7. Health & Wellness (HWC)

8. Technical, Standards & Properties (TSP)

9. International Relations & Development (IRD)

10. Global Esports Games 2021 Coordination (CoCom)

11. International Federations Advisory Council (IFAC)

12. Publishers and Developers Advisory Council (PDAC)

Inaugural #worldconnected Series Launched to Convene the World’s Esports Community

 

The Global Esports Federation marks a major milestone this  December, celebrating its first anniversary with the inaugural edition of the #worldconnected series (#wcs20) – a community initiative inspired by the Global Esports Federation’s values of equality, fair  play, diversity, inclusion, and innovation. 

The #wcs20, which runs from 17-19 December 2020, comprising GEFcon – the Global Esports  Convention – and a global collective of esports community events. GEFcon is a thought leadership  platform as well as leading ideas and innovation incubator, developed in partnership with the GEF’s  partner, Sports Innovation Lab. GEFcon will feature exclusive live webinar sessions and a series of  sessions on-demand that are designed for the collective benefit of esports. Visit www.GEFcon.org for  full program and registration details. 

“It has been an eventful year since we embarked on the mission to establish the credibility, legitimacy,  and prestige for esports at the worldwide launch of the Global Esports Federation in Singapore,” said  Chris Chan, President, Global Esports Federation. “The first #worldconnected series and GEFcon  is truly a global platform bringing together our Member Federations and Partners in support of our  mission – cultivating collaborations, forging synergies, developing and growing the connections between esports and sport in communities across the world.” 

“Sports Innovation Lab is proud to partner with the Global Esports Federation to develop GEFcon,  bringing leaders from across the esports and sporting communities to share ideas, and to ignite the  essential conversations about values that need to happen today,” said Angela Ruggiero, Co-founder  and Chief Executive Officer, Sports Innovation Lab.  

The Esports Community Events welcomes the world’s esports community to a series of Regional  Esports Competitions hosted by the GEF’s Member Federations across seven regions in the world – Caribbean, Europe, Middle East & North Africa, North America, South America, Southeast Asia, and  Sub-Sahara Africa.

“We are overwhelmed at the support from our Member Federations across the world in hosting this  community initiative,” said Kelvin Tan, Director of Esports, Global Esports Federation. “The #wcs20  cements the Global Esports Federation’s commitment in developing forward-thinking and future  oriented initiatives in service to the esports community. We look forward to welcoming the world’s  esports athletes and players in this global celebration.” 

The #wcs20 Esports Community Events* is presented by:  

1. Caribbean: Caribbean Esports Federation Alliance (CEFA) 

2. Europe: Poland – Esports Association Polska 

3. Middle East & North Africa: Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronic and Intellectual  Sports (SAFEIS) 

4. North America: USA – United States Esports Association 

5. South America: Paraguay – Asociación de Esports del Paraguay and Brazil – Brazilian Games and  Esports Confederation 

6. Southeast Asia: Singapore – Singapore Esports Association (SGEA) 

7. Sub-Sahara Africa: Nigeria – Lagos ESports Forum 

*Interested gamers can find out more information from the region’s respective federation. 

For more information on the Global Esports Federation, visit www.globalesports.org.  #worldconnected #wcs20 

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Media Contact:  

Issued by the Global Esports Federation. For media inquiries, please email  media@globalesports.org, or contact Gabriel Q Chan at (65) 9182 7713. 

About The Global Esports Federation 

The Global Esports Federation promotes the credibility, legitimacy and prestige of esports. We convene  athletes, players, the world’s publishers, developers, industry partners and sporting organizations on  one inclusive platform. We encourage and support the connection between sport, esports and  technology. We develop visible initiatives that are in service to the esports community, powered by  active, strategic partnerships that celebrate and inspire youth. 

Founding Global Partner: Tencent 

Global Partner: Refract 

Global Supporter: Sports Innovation Lab 

International Sports Broadcasting Company 

Global Supplier: Nielsen 

Strategic Partners:

• The Commonwealth Games Federation 
• Olympic Council of Asia  
• Organización Deportiva Suramericana (ODESUR) 
• International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 
• Dentsu Inc 
• Global Sports Innovation Center Powered by Microsoft (GSIC) 

#worldconnected. www.globalesports.org