All stories
Everything published in Esports Observer, newest first.
ENCE promote their academy squad as an interim CS2 roster
Three weeks after benching its international lineup, ENCE moved its academy team up as the Counter-Strike 2 main roster on April 1, with HENU in for Matz.
IntegrityESIC bans nifee for four years over ESL Pro League match manipulation
The Esports Integrity Commission ruled on April 1 that nifee contrived in-game incidents for betting at ESL Pro League Season 22. He is ineligible until October 20, 2029.
OrganizationsEsports Foundation names the 40 clubs of its 2026 Club Partner Program
Forty clubs join the third edition of the US$20 million program tied to the Esports World Cup. Eight were invited, the others came through more than 175 applications.
PublishersHow the Apex Legends Global Series works in Year 6
From the Online Open to the Championship in Sapporo: the leagues, the three LAN events, Championship Points and the roster rules Electronic Arts set for ALGS Year 6.
TournamentsManchester City Beat Leeds United to Win the ePremier League 2026
Manchester City's Bonanno and Jafonso beat Leeds United's Tekkz and NiKSNEB 8-6 on aggregate to win the ePremier League 2026, the club's fourth title.
TournamentsFaZe Vegas Win Call of Duty League Major 2 at DreamHack Birmingham
FaZe Vegas beat OpTic Texas 4-1 in the Call of Duty League's second Major of the season, its first trophy in almost a year.
TournamentsNAVI Win PUBG Global Series 2026 Circuit 1: Series 2 in Seoul
NAVI came from fifth place on the final day to win PUBG Global Series 2026 Circuit 1: Series 2 in Seoul, overtaking Anyone's Legend with two decisive map wins.
Salaries6GPA Expelled From Prime League 2 Over Unpaid Wages
German club 6GPA lost its Prime League 2 slot and its Valorant Challengers DACH spot after failing to pay players and staff owed since October 2025.
Prize MoneyESL puts US$11.45 million on the table for 2027 and redraws Kraków
ESL published on March 25 what it will pay Counter-Strike teams in 2027: US$11.45 million with one Grand Slam, a new IEM Kraków prize table and playoffs that count for the club incentive.
National TeamsSix Brazilian clubs named national partner for the Esports Nations Cup
Fluxo W7M, FURIA, LOUD, MIBR, paiN Gaming and Red Canids will run Brazil's national teams at the first Esports Nations Cup, as Spain selects a joint bid of its own clubs.
TransfersTeam Falcons sign jume as Shaiiko leaves for G2 Esports in Siege
Ubisoft's official record shows jume joining Team Falcons and Shaiiko moving to G2 Esports on March 25, five days before the Europe MENA League Kickoff.
RegulationThe P-1A visa for esports players: what a US petition requires
Foreign players who come to compete in the United States can be petitioned for as P-1A athletes. What USCIS asks of a petition, from recognition to evidence, length of stay and trades.
PublishersSupercell Launches Brawl Stars Challengers as New Pro Pathway
Supercell introduced Brawl Stars Challengers, a regional tournament pathway feeding into the BSC 2026 Last Chance Qualifier, with finals set for Istanbul.
RankingsBilibili Gaming take first place in Riot's Global Power Rankings
Riot Games updated its League of Legends Global Power Rankings on March 23, 2026, the day after First Stand. Bilibili Gaming lead, Gen.G drop to second and G2 Esports reach third.
RostersBetBoom field FL4MUS and zorte as stand-ins at three LAN events
BetBoom announced on March 23 that FL4MUS and zorte replace d1Ledez and ArtFr0st at three tournaments, two weeks before the Cologne Major invitation cut-off.
PlayersRiot's 2026 code of conduct: what it asks of LoL and Valorant players
How the 2026 edition of Riot's Esports Global Code of Conduct works for players: who it binds, its 24 conduct rules, account sharing, time limits and sanctions.
LeaguesLCK 2026 opens April 1 with nine weeks, a Hanoi trip and Road to MSI
The LCK's 2026 season starts on April 1 with a regular season through May 31, a T1 home weekend in Incheon, KRX matches in Hanoi and two MSI places at stake.
TournamentsMSI 2026 gets its Daejeon dates as Worlds grows to 19 teams
Riot Games has set MSI 2026 for June 28 to July 12 in Daejeon and Worlds for October 15 to November 14 in three US cities, with a second CBLOL place at Worlds.
LeaguesVCT EMEA Stage 1: bottom two of each group go out before the playoffs
Riot Games has set the format of VCT EMEA Stage 1: two groups of six from April 1, four teams out after the groups, and a playoff bracket where seeding decides who gets a second chance.
InvestmentSavvy Games Group agrees to buy Mobile Legends maker Moonton
ByteDance has agreed to sell Moonton, the studio behind Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, to Saudi-owned Savvy Games Group, Bloomberg and Reuters report. No price is officially disclosed.