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Former champion jockey Harry Skelton joins Star Sports as brand ambassador
Star Sports has signed Harry Skelton as a National Hunt brand ambassador.
Skelton won the 2020/21 Jump Jockeys’ Championship and is stable jockey to his brother Dan’s powerful yard in Warwickshire. Each week he will update Star Sports customers on his rides and the yard’s runners via a blog as well as providing regular video content and exposure on social media.
He joins recently retired jockey Davy Russell as a Star Sports ambassador and the pair will offer their insights and analysis each week, as well as each day during the major spring festivals.
“I’m really happy to be working with Star Sports,” said Skelton. “They have always invested in racing through sponsorships, Cheltenham preview nights and other activities. I’m looking forward to producing the blog and hopefully pointing their customers towards some decent winners over the next few months.
“Davy [Russell] is a top man and it will be great to catch up with him throughout the season. It will be strange not having him in the weighing room at Cheltenham in March, but I’m sure he’ll have lots of opinions on the English and Irish runners.”
Luke Tarr, Head of PR at Star Sports, said: “Harry is a great bloke and a brilliant jockey, and we are honoured to have him as our second National Hunt ambassador, joining the legend that is Davy Russell. How can you not love Harry’s airplane celebration? With Frankie Dettori in the final furlong of an amazing career, we need more characters in racing to attract new fans to the sport. Harry is just what the industry needs and with Davy alongside, the content we will be able to produce will be top class.”
Harry’s Five to Follow:
KATEIRA should be in for a good year. She’s stepping out of novice company for the first time, which we hope she will take in her stride. A possible starting point for her would be Wetherby, and we’ll look to go up in trip after that. She finished off last season with a great run at Aintree in a Grade 1. I think she’s a really tough mare, she’s by Kayf Tara, and hopefully she’ll only get better with age. All roads will hopefully lead to the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
HOE JOLY SMOKE is still a maiden and could be a bit more of a dark horse to follow this year. He’s by Black Sam Bellamy and has undergone a wind operation since he last ran in a Grade 2 at Kelso where he was going quite nicely but for stumbling after the second last and nearly pulling a shoe off. He was getting into the race nicely that day. He’s a nice big horse and hopefully he can lose that maiden tag fairly early on. He looks a nice type to follow down the handicap route in the early part of the season and we’ll see how and where he goes from there.
ETALON ran a nice race at the end of the season at Sandown in the EBF Final. He’s a nice, big horse who looks to go over fences now, where hopefully he can really progress. He’ll probably start off in handicaps, currently rated 120, and we hope he can move up the ranks and move into graded novice chases come the springtime.
TAKE NO CHANCES is due to go novice hurdling after three runs in bumpers. She ran very well twice but was slightly over the top by the time of her third run, so you can draw a line through that. She’ll probably start off around two or two-and-a-half miles. She showed some really nice form in a Listed bumper at Market Rasen last season behind Dysart Enos and Queens Gamble, so we hope that she can shake off her maiden tag early on and progress into better company in novice hurdles in the new year.
PIKAR is going to go novice chasing. He’s undergone a wind operation over the summer and has done very well physically. I think chasing is going to be his game – he’s a very good, neat jumper. We’ll start off over two miles and see if he needs to go up in trip. I could see this horse going into graded class – going chasing should suit him really well. He’s always been a good horse and has shown some decent form, but hopefully the wind op has worked and he can progress into those graded novice chases.
Skelton Stable Stars:
PROTEKTORAT is in great form. He’ll likely start off in the Betfair Chase and we’ll make further plans from there. He’s in great form at home and we’re really looking forward to Haydock. We hope he can defend his crown.
LE MILOS progressed up the weights last year after winning the Coral Gold Cup, from which we had our hearts set on the National. There’s a little bit of a different plan this year because he’s still young and probably has a little bit more to offer down the graded route. He’ll be out this side of Christmas and we’ll see where he takes us.
WEST BALBOA finished off the season very well at Aintree having won the Lanzarote prior to that. We now think three miles is going to be her game. She could start off at Wetherby in the West Yorkshire Hurdle, but that will depend on the ground. Then there’s the Stayers’ Hurdle and the three-mile hurdle at Aintree to look towards. A lot of water will go under the bridge before those two, but they will definitely be her main targets for the season. She was very progressive last season and the hope is that she is now ready for the big league.
MIDNIGHT RIVER will also probably start off at Wetherby before a tilt at the Coral Gold Cup. It’s a race that we won last year and it suits second-season novices. He’s progressed really well and is only now coming into his own, starting to get the hang of things. He was a boy who is now becoming a man. He’s up the weights, so he’s going to have to have a bit more in the locker in a very competitive handicap, but hopefully he’s ready for this now.
MY DROGO is back in after missing a year and a half. He seems in great form at home, but he’s a little bit hard to place at the moment given his experience and his rating. There aren’t that many options in the early season. He’s looking fit and well, though, so we’re looking to get started in the Old Roan at Aintree and will make more plans after that. He’s still got it and we’re very excited to get him back to the racecourse.
GALIA DES LITEAUX is all about very soft ground and three miles. There’s a Listed three-mile mares’ chase at Market Rasen which could be where she starts off. After that, we’ll know where we’re going with her. She’s a very honest mare, but those conditions are a must for her.
NURSE SUSAN is looking at the Listed mares’ novices’ chase which Galia Des Liteaux won last year at Bangor. Before she picked up a niggling injury, she looked pretty smart last season. She’s a great, big bull of a mare now – a whole different physique to what we had – and hopefully her time away has done her some good.
GREY DAWNING is going novice chasing. Three miles will probably be his trip and he will have learnt from last season – novices do make mistakes, that’s why they’re novices. He’s got all the ability in the world, even though he’s very unassuming at home and saves it for the track. He should be set for a good year in the novice chase division.
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.
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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.
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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.
Team K9 Esports crowned champions of BGMS Season 4; secure INR 60 lakh in prize money
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
Infront Bettor expands tennis portfolio through exclusive Australian Open video and data rights partnership
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