Mike

We're bringing a new dynasty of Counter-Strike to China 🇨🇳 #IEM Beijing 2026 🏆 🏟️ Bloomage Biotech·Biohyalux ECM Arena ⚔️ EPT Masters with 16 teams 💰 $1,250,000 total winnings 📅 November 2 - 8, 2026

#IEM Atlanta 2026 Official Trailer 🇺🇸

@BigBigBig_Jeff @sjokz “from your Broadcast for marketing and promotional purposes” is meant to be pretty explicit, there’s no intent here to do anything else.

@sjokz You would hope so but the wording raises questions

Should be the standard for ALL COSTREAMERS across esports imo Watching the broadcast in full at the very least

@SirScoots Honestly the clause exists because we don’t want to have to comb our YT archive in 10 years and purge what might have been used in a highlight clip etc.

@SirScoots That’s a fair position, that being said this is an entirely optional program to opt into, a lot less “intrusive” than a lot of the forever rights contracts that exist within esports.

Likeness License: You grant ESL a perpetual, royalty-free license to use your likeness, voice, and excerpts from your Broadcast for marketing and promotional purposes. Forever rights are always fun...

@messioso The first half of the year is also having more breathing room, so it could be good for 'visa difficult' majors to typically take place during June.

@messioso If the sport is coming first, the best solution would probably be a fixing the cutoff along with the RFP. I think releasing locations is difficult, the VRS already biases against Schengen and it's much better TOs can have more time. Perhaps continent is an okay compromise.

I do have concerns about there being potential inconsistencies in the future regarding the VRS date potentially moving dependant on the visa required - this short of a period would never work for USA, potentially not for China and others for example. I think Valve need to commit to sharing the locations of the majors, and the cutoffs, before the deadline of announcing Tier 1 events for that year in the future so TO's can prepare better and undersand what events will/won't be included.

New places, some adjusted formats, no more online CS and no fully studio events, 2027 (and honestly the rest of 2026) is going to be good!

#ESLProTour 2027 Updates! 💰 $11,450,000+ Up for grabs 👥 8 Team playoffs for all 2027 events 🏟️ Live audience finals for all 2027 events 🏙️ At least 3 new cities 🚨 And more...

Hiring a few roles on my team. Location is the UK/Western Europe, but can be flexible for the right candidate. Project Manager: eslfaceitgroup.com/career/job/?gh… Technical Line Producer: eslfaceitgroup.com/career/job/?gh…

Don't forget - your ticket to #ESLOne Birmingham also grants you access to #DreamHack! 🤩 Here's everything to expect from the best gaming expo in the world 😎 👇 dreamhack.com/birmingham/

@HLTVorg @el_jack0 @theMAKKU On LAN and on stage!

ESL Pro League is back on LAN 🤩🏟️ 📸 @theMAKKU

@adelasznajder Meant to say hello but you always looked busy, great work!

I worked #IEM Kraków as a lead photographer for the first time ever and not only everyone survived, we also delivered some solid content for you guys (I think) 📸 Huge experience and lots and lots to learn 🫣 (Apologies to my star filter for working overtime.)

@Professeur_CS @HLTVconfirmed Do it.

Hyped for some CS in my second home, Stockholm. Maybe some @HLTVconfirmed activity too?

@SirScoots Man, Clauf feels like another life time.

Been tried several times, just because something works for sports, does not mean it will work for esports. Have we not learned that by now around here? You gonna suggest city based esports franchises and closed leagues next?

@Jebailey Haha, it was a no brainer.

@AdebisiSC Thank you for giving me the chance in the first place!

CAREER UPDATE: As 2025 comes to a close, so does nearly a decade of working and living a dream through EFG as a TO. At EFG I proudly managed fighting games for DreamHack, the DreamHack Fighters brand and most recently the Esports World Cup with Street Fighter, TEKKEN and Fatal Fury.  I feel gratitude and appreciation for everything I was able to accomplish representing fighting games for as long as I did. 

To everyone all over the world I've had the pleasure of working with over 30+ DreamHacks in the US, Sweden, Rotterdam, India, Japan, Canada and more, simply thank you. To the teams I got to work on two EWCs with making fighting games look good, thank you. None of this ever truly felt like work because I got to share my passion for fighting games in places I never imagined I would get to see. Thank you to those that helped me learn and grow along the way in the world of gaming. 
 Fighting games will continue to be an important part of EFG/EWC (which is also very important to me) as I’ve spent the last few weeks before my exit sharing all my experiences, knowledge and passion for the FGC - so it will be in good hands for those who come after.  The last decade of experiences at EFG gave me everything I need to succeed and continue to give back to gaming, my biggest passion in this life. I still have a lot left to give to the community through CEO and my next full time position. In 2026, I will begin a new chapter of my career that I’m truly excited about. New chapter, Same passion. More details soon. 
 PS: Plans for the future of CEO after a successful return to Orlando in 2025 haven’t changed and won’t be affected by what comes next for me. You can look forward to CEO 2026 on August 14-16 launch details soon. Fighting Games Forever

Plex Submits $35 Bid For Warner Bros. theonion.com/plex-submits-3…