Latest News
World Pool returns to UK and Ireland with launch of £50,000 jockeys’ charity prize
World Pool, the largest globally commingled horse racing pools created and powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, will make its UK seasonal bow at Newmarket Racecourse on Saturday 4 May, where a brand new £50,000 initiative is being launched for jockeys.
For the first time the opening two Classics of the UK Flat season will both be World Pool events, with the QIPCO 1000 Guineas on Sunday 5 May becoming a new World Pool race this year and joining the 2000 Guineas run the day before.
Guineas weekend will also see the start of a new World Pool initiative, the World Pool UK & Ireland Jockeys’ Championship, where jockeys will compete to accumulate points across World Pool fixtures in the UK & Ireland.
For the winning jockey of every World Pool race in the UK and Ireland, points will be awarded based on the World Pool win dividend. The concept of this point system offers a level playing field for all jockeys, from leaders to rising stars, and their chances of winning are dictated by the public as reflected by their World Pool odds.
Beginning with the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, the competition will conclude on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on 19 October, with the winner receiving £50,000 to be donated to a charity of their choice.
A further new addition to the World Pool calendar this year will be the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas on Sunday 26 May. The Tattersalls Gold Cup, run on the same day, will also be a World Pool race for the first time, with prize money increased from €450,000 in 2023 to €500,000 this year.
Following the successful introduction of World Pool Moment of the Year in 2022 in Great Britain and Ireland, this will continue in 2024 covering all full World Pool meetings and will reward stable staff with cash prizes, as well as a VIP trip to Hong Kong for four people in 2025 to the overall winner.
One World Pool Moment of the Day will be selected at each full World Pool meeting with the winning groom receiving HK$40,000 (or equivalent – £4,000 in the UK and €4,000 in Ireland).
Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director, Wagering Products of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “It’s fantastic to be returning to the UK and Ireland with an extended World Pool fixture list this year now featuring the English and Irish 1000 Guineas, and we look forward to making these historic fillies’ Classics available to customers from around the world.
“In addition to the popular World Moment of the Day initiative, we’re excited to announce the new World Pool UK & Ireland Jockeys’ Championship, which will provide a different dimension and further competition to World Pool racedays right up until QIPCO British Champions Day in October.
“It’s a unique competition, with a jockey’s points being determined by World Pool win dividends, and a great initiative as there’s £50,000 up for grabs for the leading rider to donate to a charity of their choice. We are committed to giving money back to racing and good causes, and this seemed the perfect way to do that.”
Alex Frost, Chief Executive of the UK Tote Group, said: “It’s always an exciting time of year as the Flat season gets underway and we’re delighted that both the UK’s first Classics are World Pool events. City Of Troy has the potential to be a global superstar and we look forward to his seasonal reappearance being watched and bet on by 28 countries who play into the UK’s first World Pool event of 2024.
“Racing fans in the UK and Ireland will be able to access the huge global pools at tote.co.uk, on the Tote App and at racecourses which means excellent value is on offer, while the sport benefits from this increasingly important revenue stream.”
Martin Stevenson, Chief Executive Officer of Racecourse Media Group (RMG), which represents the media interests of The Jockey Club, Goodwood, and York Racecourses, said: “RMG looks forward to another exciting World Pool season in UK and Ireland, and will continue to work closely with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, UK Tote and our racecourses to grow both the sport’s revenues and global appeal.”
Amy Starkey, Managing Director, Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and thank them for their support as we deliver three exciting World Pool days across the QIPCO Guineas Festival and the Betfred Derby Festival.
“For the first time in the UK, we have worked alongside World Pool to host a nine-race card on QIPCO 2000 Guineas Day. This will include the first Classic of the season, whilst we are also delighted to feature the following day’s three-year-old Classic Fillies’ race, the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, as a World Pool race for the first time.
“World Pool enables strong reinvestment back into British racing and working alongside them to secure these additional races is an important step as we continue to strengthen links with Hong Kong, engage more fans with British racing and strive to grow our sport.”
Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of the Curragh Racecourse, said: “We are delighted to extend our relationship with World Pool in 2024 with the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas and the Tattersalls Gold Cup on 26 May and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby meeting on 30 June included in the programme.
“We had a very positive first experience with World Pool last year and look forward to building on it this year, bringing our racing to a wider audience. Irish horses have enjoyed great success internationally in recent years and we are delighted to be showcasing our best races through World Pool.
“Inclusion in World Pool has enabled us to increase prizemoney at the Curragh in 2024 and we look forward to developing this relationship further in the future.”
Upcoming UK and Irish World Pool events in first half of 2024:
May
Saturday 4: 2000 Guineas Day – Newmarket Racecourse (F)
Sunday 5: 1000 Guineas Day – Newmarket Racecourse (S)
Saturday 18: Lockinge Stakes Day – Newbury Racecourse (P)
Sunday 26: Irish 1000 Guineas Day – Curragh Racecourse (P)
June
Saturday 1: Derby Stakes Day – Epsom Racecourse (F)
Tuesday 18: Queen Anne Stakes Day – Ascot Racecourse (F)
Wednesday 19: Prince of Wales’s Stakes Day – Ascot Racecourse (F)
Thursday 20: Gold Cup Day – Ascot Racecourse (F)
Friday 21: Commonwealth Cup Day – Ascot Racecourse (F)
Saturday 22: Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes Day – Ascot Racecourse (F)
Sunday 30: Irish Derby Day – Curragh Racecourse (F)
*F: Full meeting – World Pool coverage on all races in the relevant meeting
P: Part meeting – World Pool coverage only on selected races in the relevant meeting
S: Single race – World Pool coverage only on this race in the relevant meeting
The post World Pool returns to UK and Ireland with launch of £50,000 jockeys’ charity prize appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News
Team K9 Esports crowned champions of BGMS Season 4; secure INR 60 lakh in prize money
Hydro was crowned the tournament’s MVP with 27 finishes, while TraceGod received the TVS Most Wicked Player award for his 113 finishes across the season
The three-day LAN finals garnered over 10 million views on YouTube and more than 500k views on JioHotstar across the Hindi, English, and Gujarati live streams.
The curtains have come down on the OnePlus Android Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS) Season 4, with Team K9 Esports emerging as the undisputed champions of India’s most-watched esports tournament. After three days of high-octane LAN action at the NODWIN Gaming Arena in Chhatarpur, New Delhi, the champions walked away with the coveted BGMS trophy and the lion’s share of the INR 1.5 crore prize pool.
The grand finals, held from September 12 to 14, brought together the top 16 teams in the country for 12 intense matches and were broadcast live on NODWIN Gaming’s YouTube channel as well as on Star Sports Khel and JioHotstar, making it the only esports tournament in India with a national television presence. On YouTube, the finals drew more than 10 million views across Hindi, English, and Gujarati broadcasts over the three days, while on JioHotstar, they registered over 500k views during the same period, surpassing 200k on the final day alone.
OnePlus K9 Esports, led by in-game leader (IGL) Sahil Jakhar (Omega) and comprising Akshit Kumar (Arclyn), Harshit Yadav (Beast), Tanjot Singh (NinjaBoi), and Raghuraj Singh (Slug), dominated across all three days of competition. After topping the table on both Day 1 and Day 2 with consistent performances, the team carried their momentum into the final day to finish with a total of 107 points and three Winner Winner Chicken Dinners, claiming the BGMS Season 4 championship and securing INR 60 lakh in prize money.
They were followed closely by Sinewy Esports, who had qualified through the Battlegrounds Mobile India Challenger Series (BGCS), finishing second with 96 points and earning INR 22.6 lakh. iQOO SouL also ended with 96 points but were placed third on tiebreakers, recording 53 finishes compared to Sinewy’s 54. Infinix True Rippers and iQOO Revenant XSpark rounded off the top five with 93 and 89 points, respectively.
The MVP of the tournament was awarded to TRHydro of Team True Rippers, whose 27 finishes stood out as the highlight of the grand finals. The TVS Most Wicked Player award went to Joel Thomas (TraceGod) of Team Revenant XSpark for his remarkable tally of 113 finishes throughout the tournament.
When asked about their hard-fought victory, Sahil Jakhar, aka Omega, IGL of OnePlus K9 Esports, summed up the team’s emotions perfectly: “One in the bag, more to go!”
Organised by NODWIN Gaming, South Asia’s leading gaming and esports company, the fourth season of BGMS spanned over 28 days in its innovative dual-format structure. This season marked a significant evolution with the introduction of the BGCS as the official feeder league, giving grassroots talent the chance to rise to the professional stage. Through partner-led qualifiers such as OnePlus Campus Dominate and TVS Raider Wicked Battles, new teams and young players earned the opportunity to compete alongside India’s top-tier squads. In a historic step towards inclusivity, all-women rosters also took part in BGCS, breaking barriers and inspiring a new generation of female gamers to envision a future in competitive esports.
“BGMS Season 4 has truly set new benchmarks for esports in India. From the introduction of the dual-format league and the inclusion of all-women teams to welcoming new brands into the fold, this season has been about opening doors and broadening horizons for the entire ecosystem. Congratulations to K9 Esports for delivering an outstanding performance that defined this season. What makes me especially proud is that we continue to bring this action into Indian homes on national television and OTT platforms, ensuring that the very best of esports reaches the masses and cements its place in the mainstream. This journey was also strengthened by the trust and commitment of our Title Sponsor, OnePlus, along with all our partners whose support has helped BGMS evolve from a tournament into a movement that truly resonates across the country,” commented Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming.
BGMS Season 4 was powered by an exceptional lineup of partners, each playing a vital role in making the tournament a success. OnePlus returned as the Title Sponsor and Official Smartphone Partner, while Android continued its association as the Co-Title Sponsor.
TVS Motor Company marked its third consecutive year of partnership, and Red Bull returned for the second year to energise players throughout the competition. Duolingo English Test made its debut as the Official Learning Partner, promoting accessibility and global opportunities for India’s youth. Swiggy came on board for the first time as the Official Food Delivery Partner, keeping players and crew fuelled, while Bisleri joined as the Official Hydration Partner. In a landmark moment, Tesla also made its esports debut in India by showcasing its Model Y cars at the BGMS Grand Finals.
With BGMS Season 4, NODWIN Gaming has not only redefined the scale of competitive gaming in the country but also cemented the tournament’s status as a cultural phenomenon that embodies the energy and aspirations of India’s youth.
The post Team K9 Esports crowned champions of BGMS Season 4; secure INR 60 lakh in prize money appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Rocket League World Championship concludes in Lyon: NRG Esports crowned champions in front of nearly 10,000 fans; Major 2 comes to Paris La Défense Arena next year
- Record-breaking Rocket League World Championship 2025 concluded yesterday with around 10,000 fans per day at LDLC Arena
- NRG takes home the $300,000 prize as this year’s Rocket League World Champions
- Paris La Défense Arena (25,000 capacity) confirmed to host RLCS Major 2, May 20-24, 2026
After two landmark weekends for global esports with the Fortnite Global Championships and the Rocket League Championship Series in France, Rocket League is set for an even bigger arena in 2026.
Following a record-breaking World Championship in Lyon, the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) Major 2 will take over La Défense Arena in Paris from May 20-24, 2026, marking the largest venue to host a Rocket League event in history.
The Rocket League World Championship 2025 came to a thrilling close on Sunday evening as NRG Esports lifted the trophy in front of nearly 10,000 fans at the LDLC Arena in Lyon-Décines, France. Taking in the glory, the champions secured $300,000 and were declared Rocket League World Champions!
20 of the best Rocket League teams and 60 players from across the globe were onstage all together, representing every major region. North American team NRG’s Massimo “Atomic” Franceschi, Landon “BeastMode” Konerman and Daniel “Daniel” Piecenski dominated through the Group Stage before delivering a statement performance in the Grand Final, with a decisive 4-1 victory over Raleigh Major winners and RLCS 2025’s highest-scoring LAN team, Team Falcons.
Esports has dominated the French spotlight these past two weekends – with the Fortnite Global Championship and the Rocket League World Championship 2025 drawing record crowds and combining to deliver $50 million in economic impact for the city of Lyon.
Spectators from across more than 26 different countries travelled to France to watch 20 of the world’s best Rocket League teams compete for the title of World Champion. The energy of the Lyon crowd confirmed France’s status as one of esports’ true global homes, setting the stage perfectly for next year’s RLCS Major 2 in Paris.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, the RLCS will scale up once again as La Défense Arena – Europe’s largest indoor venue and a regular home for large-scale sporting events – will welcome an expanded three full days of live audience action next May. With a capacity of 25,000, the arena will be one of the biggest venues in Europe to host an event in esports.
Additional details of the 2026 season were also revealed in Lyon, with the new season set to kick off this November with online Opens, followed by a brand-new Kick-Off LAN studio event in Copenhagen, Denmark this December. The RLCS Major 1 will take place in North America with further dates and locations for the first Major of the year and the Rocket League World Championships to be announced in the coming months.
For more details on the 2026 Rocket League Championship Series, including sign-up information and full schedules, visit the Rocket League Esports official site.
In case you missed it, Rocket League also announced Season 20 this weekend, which will be live on September 17 – check out the blog for more details on the new season.
The post Rocket League World Championship concludes in Lyon: NRG Esports crowned champions in front of nearly 10,000 fans; Major 2 comes to Paris La Défense Arena next year appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Infront Bettor expands tennis portfolio through exclusive Australian Open video and data rights partnership
New agreement with Tennis Australia (TA) includes top grand slam event, Qualifying and TA tournaments
Infront, through its dedicated division Infront Bettor, has significantly broadened its footprint in tennis after being named the data and video streaming partner for Tennis Australia.
The multi-year agreement includes the Australian Open, one of tennis’s four grand slams, and will provide licensed sportsbooks access to high-quality live content and reliable data thanks to market-leading strategic partners for streaming and data distribution. It marks the latest step in Infront Bettor’s growing presence in top-tier tennis, building on the five-year Official Data partnership with the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
In addition, Infront Bettor will collaborate closely with Tennis Australia’s Game Insights Group, focusing on exploring opportunities in data innovation and commercial data strategy.
Drawing on experience from its ITF partnership, Infront Bettor will also bring an emphasis on data harmonisation across the sport. This allows consumers of data to have consistent definitions regardless of the tennis competition and supports Tennis Australia’s ambition to create products and platforms that enhance the way fans and partners experience tennis.
Tennis Australia’s Chief Commercial Officer Cedric Cornelis said: “Partnering with Infront Bettor ensures we can deliver the highest standard of content to audiences globally, while maintaining a strong commitment to integrity and innovation. Their platform and experience in the sport will help us identify, reach, and delight new markets.”
Chris Catling, Head of Infront Bettor, added: “This is a landmark addition to our tennis offering and a major step in strengthening our global footprint in the sport. The Australian Open sits at the very top of the calendar and complements our existing partnership with the ITF by extending our reach across both elite and grassroots levels. We’re proud to be trusted by Tennis Australia and look forward to delivering value through reliable content, integrity-led operations, and a truly global distribution network.”
The partnership will also see Infront work closely with Tennis Australia’s Integrity Unit, combining best-in-class monitoring tools, risk assessments, and global market analysis to help uphold the integrity of all covered matches.
Infront Bettor is part of the Group’s Media, Betting and Technology unit led by Amikam Kranz as Senior Vice President. This combination of Infront’s media rights business with betting and technology provides more holistic commercial opportunities to rightsholders and innovative technology solutions to the betting industry.
The post Infront Bettor expands tennis portfolio through exclusive Australian Open video and data rights partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News3 months ago
Brand-new projects debuting at iGB L!VE: Casino&You and Win&You Partners!
-
Latest News1 month ago
Light & Wonder to Participate in the 2025 Australasian Gaming Expo
-
Latest News1 month ago
ReferOn Shortlisted for Acquisition & Retention Partner of the Year at SBC Lisbon 2025
-
Latest News1 month ago
Gavin Hamilton Joins Sports & Wellbeing Analytics as Chairman to Accelerate Global Expansion
-
Latest News2 months ago
2025 PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP KICKS OFF WITH GROUP DRAW AHEAD OF ESPORTS WORLD CUP
-
Latest News3 months ago
HIPTHER Community Voices: Interview with the CEO and co-founder of Nordcurrent Victoria Trofimova
-
Latest News2 months ago
CEO of MEDIA24 Interviewed: Industry Scams, Business Insights and SEO
-
Latest News2 months ago
HIPTHER Community Voices: Interview with CEO of Media 24 Martins Lasmanis
You must be logged in to post a comment Login