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VALORANT Esports EMEA is expanding – here’s what to expect!
In 2022, we aspire to make VALORANT the biggest FPS esports in the world – and it’s clear from the performances we’ve seen so far that EMEA is emerging as a true powerhouse region.
Following a phenomenal opening year, 2022 will see a number of significant, exciting changes made to VALORANT esports within EMEA.
By developing a new, multi-layered ecosystem, we can give opportunities to all players; from amateur and aspiring pro gamers participating in the newly created VALORANT Regional Leagues and VALORANT Regional Circuits, to the new wave of women taking VALORANT esports to the next level through our Game Changers programme; to the world’s truly elite VALORANT stars through the VALORANT Champions Tour.
Most importantly, the expansion of the EMEA ecosystem will also benefit our loyal fans, giving them more opportunities to support their country, local team or favourite player and witness the best in the region battle it out for glory.
VALORANT CHAMPIONS TOUR
The VALORANT Champions Tour is the pinnacle of FPS esports in EMEA and our 2021 season produced some incredible and memorable moments for teams and fans alike, especially from our top four EMEA teams (Acend, Gambit, Fnatic, Team Liquid) who fought hard to make it to the first ever VCT Champions competition! In 2022, the EMEA VCT structure will be adapted to suit the whole region, allowing all the localised territories in the wider EMEA umbrella to grow and maintain a healthy level of competition.
The four EMEA teams that participated in VALORANT Champions 2021 will be invited back to VCT Stage 1 in 2022. A further eight spots will be up for grabs through two open and closed qualifiers in each territory; four spots in EU, two from Turkey and two from CIS. Teams from MENA will be able to compete in any of these qualifiers.
Teams will be able to qualify to VCT Stage 2 through the VCT promotion tournament; where the winners of the eight VRLs (more on these below) in Stage 1 will compete to face off against the bottom two VCT teams, with two VCT spots on the line.
We will have more information on the overall format for VCT soon, so expect to hear more from us in early 2022.
Get ready to cheer on some of the most elite competitors VALORANT esports has to offer, as they compete not just for the title of the best in EMEA, but for global supremacy.
RLS
One of the new, exciting layers of the ecosystem we will be introducing to the VALORANT esports EMEA is the VALORANT Regional Leagues (VRLs).
The VRLs will become the peak of regional VALORANT esports, providing a highly competitive platform for talent development with a distinctly national flair.
In 2022, we will be launching eight new EMEA VRLs in:
- Spain (Players from Portugal and Italy are also eligible to compete in this league) operated by LVP
- France (Players within Benelux are also eligible to compete in this league) operated by Freaks 4U Gaming
- UK, Ireland & Nordics operated by Promod Esports
- Poland + EE (Players from Israel are also eligible to compete in this league) operated by FRENZY
- CIS operated by GIG Me
- MENA operated by Calyx Gaming
- Turkey operated by ESA Esports
- DACH operated by Freaks 4U Gaming
Each league will be operated by our partner organisers and will run for two stages across the year, with a regular season and playoffs crowning a champion in each league. A certain number of the participating teams will be decided through VRL open qualifiers, at least once per season. At the end of stage one, the winner of each VRL will qualify for the VCT Promotion Tournament. In stage 2, each VRL winner will then qualify for the VRL EMEA finals.
Note: The number of VRL qualifiers and available spots may vary based on the results of the aforementioned VCT promotion tournament
The new VRLs will provide highly-skilled players with deeply satisfying competitive experiences, as well as giving them the rare opportunity to improve their skills in a structured ecosystem that fosters healthy, top-level competition.
On top of this, VRLs offer keen VALORANT fans the chance to celebrate and cheer on their national teams as they go head-to-head with the rest of EMEA.
The 2022 VRL season will kick-off with qualifiers on January 24, with the first split beginning the week of February 14.
Stay tuned and get ready to show your regional pride as teams battle it out to become their national champions!
GAME CHANGERS EMEA
After an incredible year for the Game Changers initiative across the globe, our teams have proven they are #HERETOSLAY, – and now it’s time to show that VCT Game Changers EMEA is here to stay!
We’re planning three exciting VCT Game Changers EMEA series in 2022, kicking-off in January with the remaining two taking place in May and September. Teams who succeed in these events will qualify for a place in the Global Game Changers event planned for November.
We’re also introducing the Game Changers EMEA Academy, a place for new teams and friends to compete in a safe space in up to six tournaments throughout the year. We’re excited to see brand new faces bring the fire to our Game Changers tournaments, be bold and stake your claim!
Game Changers is an important platform for our women players – the start of their path to pro. So, to encourage these teams to aim higher than ever before, the VCT Game Changers EMEA 2022 circuit will run parallel to the series within the wider EMEA ecosystem avoiding any overlaps where possible, allowing our teams to compete in both the Game Changers tournaments alongside the VRL’s and VCT open qualifiers.
To our Game Changers community – this is your time. Your platform. The world is listening. Bring the fire.
VRCS
From 2022 onwards, we want to make sure we’re helping to develop and promote grassroots VALORANT talent across the region. With this goal in mind, we’ll be starting to roll out a series of new competitions specifically for these players called VALORANT Regional Circuits (VRCs).
We hope that these circuits will help elevate EMEA’s thriving amateur competitive ecosystem to new heights. They’ll provide players of all skill levels with a chance to experience the thrill of organised competition and prove themselves against other competitors in their region.
The typical circuit will give local players the opportunity to compete in individual competitions throughout the season, and earn circuit points for their team. At the end of the season, the teams with the most points will then battle it out in an effort to become the circuit champions.
Over the course of next year, players will see these Regional Circuits popping up across EMEA, with the hope that, in time, players all over EMEA will have a VRC to compete in.
BROADCASTING AND VIEWERSHIP
In 2022 we are significantly ramping up the number of VALORANT Esports competitions being broadcast in the EMEA region. Fans will be able to tune in and watch a huge number of VALORANT Esports competitions, including:
- VCT Qualifiers
- VCT Regular Season Stages 1 and 2
- VCT Masters Stages 1 and 2
- VCT Promotion Tournament
- The EMEA Last Chance Qualifier
- VCT Champions 2022
- Three EMEA Game Changers Tournaments
- All eight VALORANT Regional Leagues
- The VRL Finals
As an absolute minimum, we will be broadcasting all VCT events in eight languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Turkish, and Polish, Arabic. We will continue to update the community on any other languages we’ll be broadcasting in closer to the time of the event.
As we continue to work hard to further grow this burgeoning esport and reach a wider audience, we hope this new format will give certainty to fans and players alike as to how VALORANT esports in EMEA will look across the year. We truly believe that through this new ecosystem, we can build deeper engagement between teams and players, discover the future of VALORANT talent, and build up a lifelong fanbase.

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From BetBrothers to BC Brothers: Scaling in Regulated Markets
A few months ago, we had the pleasure of speaking with Borja Imbergamo, BetBrothers’ Head of Growth & Strategy, about their ambitious mission to become a leading affiliate company in regulated sports betting markets.
Since then, the company has rebranded as BC Brothers to reflect its multi-vertical vision, now overseeing both BetBrothers (sports betting) and CasinoBros (online casinos). We sat down with Borja again to discuss the strategy behind this move, the company’s growth, and its commitment to shaping a more transparent iGaming landscape.
BetBrothers has recently rebranded as BC Brothers. What was the thinking behind this move, and what does it mean for your strategy going forward?
The rebrand was a natural step in our evolution. BetBrothers had strong traction in sports betting, but as we expanded into online casinos with CasinoBros, we wanted an identity that could unite both brands under one mission. BC Brothers allows each brand to maintain its own voice and focus, while benefiting from a shared growth strategy. It’s about clarity, transparency, and staying true to our mission of connecting players with safer bets across multiple verticals.
Every company faces the pressure of quarterly results versus a long-term vision. How does BC Brothers strike that balance?
Our approach is built on organic growth. High-quality organic traffic takes time and consistent effort – it’s not an overnight success. But it’s also the most sustainable path forward.
For instance, in markets like Spain and Greece, where we’re seeing strong traction, we naturally focus on optimizing that performance. We celebrate quarterly results because they validate our initial strategies and provide the resources to invest further. Simultaneously, we dedicate significant resources for new markets and ventures. These are critical investments in our multi-year vision.
We invest today to secure growth for years ahead. It’s about consistent, quality growth rather than quick, unsustainable wins
Which markets are currently your strongest, and what new ones are on your radar?
Currently, our primary focus markets, and where we’re already seeing really good traction, are Spain and Greece. These markets were chosen strategically for their established regulatory frameworks and significant potential. Our team has a strong understanding of the local player base and operator needs there. That is certainly paying off in terms of performance.
Looking ahead, while Spain and Greece remain key, we’re very excited about the potential in a number of other regulated markets. Our approach is always to go where we can genuinely add value to both operators and players. This leads us to focus on regions like Mexico, Peru, and Denmark, among others. Our strategy, much like in Spain and Greece, is based on delivering high-quality, compliant traffic. This is precisely where our expertise shines. The focus is always on where we can add real value. We don’t just want to be present – we want to be effective.
Beyond geography, are there specific product verticals you’re most excited about?
Sports betting was our foundation, but entering the casino vertical was always part of our roadmap. That’s why we launched CasinoBros, a dedicated platform for online casinos. The strategy and vision here are exactly the same as with BetBrothers. We aim to give players the best and deepest information, guiding them to safe, regulated online operators.
What does “deep information” mean in the casino space, and why is it important?
It means helping players understand everything. From game mechanics, RTP percentages, and volatility to responsible gaming tools and bonus terms. Our goal is to empower players to make informed decisions and enjoy entertainment responsibly, instead of just chasing promotions.
From an operator perspective, what makes CasinoBros stand out?
From an operator’s perspective, our value lies in bringing highly informed players. These players understand game mechanics, responsible play, and promotions. For operators, this translates into stronger retention and healthier long-term relationships. Educated players are less likely to feel frustrated and more likely to stay with operators they trust. Everyone benefits from that.
You’ve mentioned your goal of becoming a globally recognized and trusted brand. How are you working toward that?
Trust is the ultimate currency in iGaming. The rebrand to BC Brothers was a big step. We are uniting BetBrothers and CasinoBros under one strategy while keeping each brand focused. Now we’re rolling it out across all touchpoints and building our community on social media. These channels are crucial for transparency and direct engagement. It’s a long process, but one we’re fully committed to. Our mission remains clear: connecting players with safer bets, across verticals, in regulated markets.
The post From BetBrothers to BC Brothers: Scaling in Regulated Markets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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GR8 Tech Hits the Road with New “Bet It Drives” Podcast—First Guest: Alex Pratt
iGaming just got a new ride. Bet It Drives, GR8 Tech’s new podcast, takes the industry’s most interesting voices out of the studio and into the fast lane. Hosted by Yevhen Krazhan, CSO, each episode is filmed entirely in a moving car, with cameras rolling and London as the backdrop.
No predictable Q&As: Bet It Drives pairs high-energy visuals with relaxed, unscripted dialogue. Shot by the award-winning crew behind campaigns for global brands, the format blends high-energy visuals with the kind of candid moments you only get when people are truly relaxed.
“Bet It Drives was born from a simple idea—great conversations happen when people feel at ease,” said Yevhen Krazhan. “Driving through London strips away the formality, lets personalities shine, and captures the pace and unpredictability that define the iGaming industry.”
The premiere kicks off with Alex Pratt, Group Managing Director of Clarion Gaming, who oversees a portfolio of leading B2B events and media brands, including ICE, iGB Affiliate, and iGaming Business. With over two decades in the iGaming industry, Pratt has been instrumental in shaping its evolution and is recognized for his insights into emerging markets, technological advancements, and fostering community within the gaming sector.
During the ride, Alex opened up about:
- ICE vs. iGB Live—which is his personal favorite, and why.
- Organizing world-class iGaming events and how major decisions like moving ICE to Barcelona come together behind the scenes.
- Partnering with big tech and how such collaborations shape the future of iGaming.
- Advice for startups attending conferences.
- Alex’s Spotify playlist and the tracks that keep him going.
- The most jaw-dropping booths he’s ever seen on the exhibition floor.
- Which panels or attendees would he ban for the greater good of the industry.
- Memorable after-parties—the kind you don’t forget, even if you wish you could.
“Alex really showed us what is happening on the front and the back of high-end igaming events,” said Krazhan. “From the strategic calls that shape entire conferences to the wild stories that never make the press, this episode is a perfect mix of insider knowledge, candid moments, and the kind of energy that makes you wish the ride was longer.”
With upcoming guests including Stephen Crystal, Rohini Sardana, and Helen Walton, Bet It Drives is set to deliver brilliant storytelling, unscripted moments, and a visual style unlike anything else in iGaming media.
Access Episode 1 with Alex Pratt on YouTube or Spotify—and buckle up.
The post GR8 Tech Hits the Road with New “Bet It Drives” Podcast—First Guest: Alex Pratt appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Hyprop and MTN Launch SHIFT COD Tournament as Part of 2025 Shift Gaming Experience
With four spots, one stage and R60 000 on the line, South Africa’s sharpest squads are gearing up for a Call of Duty clash like no other.
The 2025 Hyprop MTN Shift Gaming Experience is about to get louder, faster and more intense. Hyprop, in collaboration with MTN, is introducing SHIFT COD – a Call of Duty tournament designed to test South Africa’s sharpest squads in a no-excuses, high-pressure arena. Four online qualifiers. One LAN finale. R60,000 in prize money. Only the best survive.
The format stays sharp and unforgiving: each qualifier is a single-elimination best-of-five series. Teams will battle across Hardpoint, Search and Destroy, and Control. Only the top squad from each of the four qualifier events will earn a shot at the LAN finale, taking place at Canal Walk on 12 and 13 September. Finalists will cover their own travel and accommodation, but the stage – and the spotlight – will be waiting.
“The Shift Gaming Experience is about putting real competition at the centre of public spaces and connecting people through the power of play,” said Christie Stanbridge, Brand and Campaigns Marketing Manager at Hyprop. “Adding Call of Duty to the lineup takes the intensity up a notch. We’re giving gamers a serious platform to show what they can do – live, on stage and in front of a crowd.”
The four qualifiers took place online, where teams signed up for free:
All qualifier finals were broadcast, giving fans full access to the action and allowing players to gain exposure beyond the scoreboard.
Four teams qualify for the LAN finale, where they’ll compete in a double-elimination bracket for a prize pool structured as follows:
- 1st place: R30,000
- 2nd place: R15,000
- 3rd place: R10,000
- 4th place: R5,000
Now in its third year, the Hyprop MTN Shift Gaming Experience has become one of the country’s most visible platforms for esports and casual gaming. Hosted at Hyprop-owned malls including Canal Walk, Clearwater and The Glen, the experience blends competitive tournaments with public engagement to bring gaming into the mainstream.
“MTN SHIFT isn’t about gimmicks. It’s built for players, whether you’re grinding in ranked or showing up to prove a point on LAN,” said Stanbridge. “We’ve seen how gaming can energise our spaces and create new communities. SHIFT COD builds on that energy.”
With only four LAN spots available, the window to make your mark is narrow, and the competition will be ruthless. Visit acgl.gg/mtnshift.
Remaining Tournament Dates & Venues:
SHIFT COD is part of the MTN Shift Gaming Experience which takes place at:
Capegate – Online Qualifier: 31 Aug | In-Centre Event: 5 – 7 Sep
Canal Walk – Online Qualifier: 7 Sep | In-Centre Event: 17 – 21 Sep
The post Hyprop and MTN Launch SHIFT COD Tournament as Part of 2025 Shift Gaming Experience appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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