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Football Legends Ronaldo and Kaká to Face Off in EA FC for Esports World Cup 2025 Showmatch
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) announced that football icons Ronaldo Nazário and Kaká will go head-to-head in the Esports World Cup 2025 Showmatch on August 9, 2025. Taking place during the EWC 2025 EA FC game week, live on stage in the STC Arena of the EWC Festival in Riyadh, the Showmatch blends elite football legacy with competitive gaming in a crossover moment that celebrates the rise of esports as a global sport.
The 2025 edition builds on the success of last year’s Showmatch debut ft. Neymar Jr. and Team Falcons’ Mossad “Msdossary” Al-Dossary. That foundation now returns on a bigger scale, as the Esports World Cup 2025 continues to blur the lines between sporting legacy and digital competition. The format is being elevated into a best-of-three digital derby featuring EA SPORTS FC 25 competition. With Cristiano Ronaldo recently named Global Ambassador of the EWC 2025, the Showmatch embodies the tournament’s commitment to bridging traditional sport and esports on a global stage.
“Ronaldo and Kaká embody competitive excellence and legacy, drawing passionate support from fans around the world – everything great sport aspires to achieve,” said Mike McCabe, COO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “Their presence at the Esports World Cup reflects values that connect traditional sport and gaming, showing how those worlds are coming together in ways that truly resonate with fans. Bringing together legends who inspire multiple generations and communities is what makes this Showmatch truly special. We’re honoured to have them with us on this stage, especially during football week.”
Adding to the spectacle, Ronaldo and Kaká are also scheduled to appear on EWC Spotlight, the tournament’s premium broadcast series, offering insight into their role in the future of global sport and entertainment.
The match will feature a bespoke creative set-up inspired by Brazilian street football, old-school collectible cards, and graffiti art, incorporating EWC 2025 elements in a nostalgic yet modern expression of sport, elite esports competition, and fandom. Dedicated cheering sections, post-match Q&As, and exclusive fan rewards will ensure that attendees and viewers are fully immersed in the experience.
Celebrating football week at EWC 2025, the Showmatch and EA SPORTS FC Pro World Championship are joined by the Kings League MENA Presentation on August 10th, marking the competition’s regional debut. Founded by Gerard Piqué, the fast-paced, seven-a-side competition, which blends football with fan-led rules and digital interactivity, kicks off its MENA expansion at EWC 2025. At the event, Piqué will unveil team names, logos, and club presidents, including top regional creators.
The EWC Showmatch 2025 and Kings League MENA Presentation are some of the headline entertainment experiences of this summer’s EWC, the world’s largest esports event, hosted in Riyadh through to August 24, 2025. The tournament’s unique cross-game format brings together over 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs, competing across 25 tournaments in 24 games for a life-changing $70m+ prize pool.
This year, icons Magnus Carlsen and Cristiano Ronaldo join the Esports World Cup as Global Ambassadors, bringing their competitive legacy and global reach to the world’s biggest esports stage. Carlsen, the reigning chess champion, also competes in the inaugural EWC Chess Tournament (July 29–31).
The post Football Legends Ronaldo and Kaká to Face Off in EA FC for Esports World Cup 2025 Showmatch appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Gregorio Araneta to Sell its Entire 57% Stake in PhilWeb to Nexora Holdings and Velora Holdings
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Philippine eGames provider PhilWeb’s principal shareholder Gregorio Araneta Inc (GAINC) is going to sell its entire 57% stake in PhilWeb to Nexora Holdings Inc and Velora Holdings Inc for a total consideration of Php1.8 billion (US$30.8 million), representing 829,574,354 common shares.
GAINC is owned by Gregorio “Greggy” Araneta III, a member of the powerful Araneta family and the brother-in-law of Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Given that the transaction would involve control of more than 35% of the outstanding voting shares of PhilWeb, the buyers will be required to conduct a mandatory tender offer to remaining shareholders to acquire full control of the company as per local laws.
PhilWeb noted that the buyers are closely linked to the company, with current PhilWeb President & Director Edgar Brian K. Ng also serving as President, Chairman & a Director of Nexora, while current PhilWeb Vice Chairman and Director Crisanto Roy B. Alcid is a Director and the Treasurer of Nexora.
The post Gregorio Araneta to Sell its Entire 57% Stake in PhilWeb to Nexora Holdings and Velora Holdings appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Betsson Supported Crete Half Marathon as Official Sponsor
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Continuing its longstanding commitment to supporting sports and local communities, Betsson Greece was once again present at one of the island’s most anticipated sporting events.
Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, the Crete Half Marathon has become a flagship event for the region, attracting thousands of runners from Greece and abroad. Participants took part in the 21.1 km, 10 km and 5 km races, as well as children’s and inclusive races for people with disabilities, reinforcing the event’s inclusive spirit.
Betsson brought vibrant energy to the event, with its lively fan zone becoming a central meeting point for runners and spectators alike, offering gifts, activities and smiles throughout the day. Representing the company at the event, Thanos Marinos, Managing Director of Betsson Greece, took part in the awards ceremony and emphasised Betsson’s commitment to initiatives that promote sports and celebrate the rich culture of Crete.
Adding to the day’s excitement, OFI football players Giannis Theodossoulakis and Manolis Faitakis joined the festivities, engaging with participants, posing for photos and sharing words of encouragement, further amplifying the spirit of community and togetherness that defines the event.
Through its sponsorship of the International Crete Half Marathon, Betsson Greece once again underlines its dedication to promoting sports, fair play and social inclusion. Supporting major and local sporting events across Greece, Betsson continues to champion initiatives that strengthen community bonds and highlight the positive power of sport in society.
The post Betsson Supported Crete Half Marathon as Official Sponsor appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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DigiPlus Announces Partnership with Bayad
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DigiPlus Interactive Corp. (DigiPlus), the pioneer in digital entertainment in the Philippines, announced an exclusive partnership with Bayad, a trusted authority in bills payment services, to expand over-the-counter (OTC) or physical payment options for players of BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone.
The partnership was formally signed on October 8, 2025, led by top executives from both companies: Eusebio H. Tanco, Chairman of DigiPlus; Jasper Vicencio, President of AB Leisure Exponent Inc., a subsidiary of DigiPlus; Ray C. Espinosa, Chairman of Bayad; and Lawrence Y. Ferrer, President and CEO of Bayad. The agreement is effective immediately, making DigiPlus Bayad’s only gaming partner for OTC cash transactions.
Through this collaboration, DigiPlus customers gain access to Bayad’s extensive network of payment touchpoints, present across 800+ Bayad Center branches and Bayad Partners in malls, supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide.
Bayad is accredited by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as an Electronic Money Issuer (EMI). DigiPlus partners only with BSP-accredited payment channels in accordance with the requirements of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), ensuring that all player wallet transactions are processed through secure and compliant payment platforms.
BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone players can now make cash-ins or deposits through Bayad. Additional features including cash-outs or withdrawals and access through the Bayad App will be rolled out in next phases, providing DigiPlus customers with more options to manage their funds conveniently and safely.
“At DigiPlus, our priority is to deliver engaging entertainment while ensuring safe and reliable services for our players. This partnership with Bayad provides customers with more secure and convenient ways to manage their transactions, reinforcing our commitment to player protection and dependable service at every touchpoint,” said Eusebio H. Tanco, Chairman of DigiPlus Interactive Corp.
“Today, we take another meaningful step forward through our partnership with DigiPlus. Together, we’re expanding access to digital channels and offering new, engaging, and responsible ways for Filipinos to experience convenience and entertainment made possible by accessible and inclusive financial services,” said Atty. Ray C. Espinosa, Chairman of the Board at Bayad.
The Bayad payment channels partnership adds to DigiPlus’ growing customer service network and player support, which already includes its in-house 24/7 customer support, 130+ physical BingoPlus stores nationwide and a surety bond for player wallets. These expanding service touchpoints reflect DigiPlus’ continued commitment to delivering digital entertainment with safe, reliable and accessible service for Filipinos.
The post DigiPlus Announces Partnership with Bayad appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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