The sixth edition of Marvel Rivals Fight Night has concluded for both the European (EU) and North American (NA) brackets.

This Fight Night saw some surprise wins and losses. European organisation Virtus.pro was at the top of its game, while Shikigami proved to be a dark horse in North America’s esports scene.

All games took place in a single-elimination bracket, with matches being best-of-five. Two invited teams duked it out to progress to the finals, where they faced off against the last Fight Night winners.

First place winners of both EU and NA received a $1,000 prize, and will be invited to Marvel Rivals Fight Night #7 as the ‘team to beat’.

Virtus.pro once again proves to be amongst the strongest teams in the Marvel Rivals EU esports scene. Looking strong after the EMEA Invitational, the organisation was able to come out on top against competitors ROYAL BEAMERS (RB) and Luminosity Gaming EU.

The end result was 3-1 to Virtus.pro, marking its third win against Luminosity Gaming EU in Marvel Rivals Fight Night. It is an identical result from Fight Night #5 EU.

With such a strong performance in Season 1 and 1.5, many are confident the team will continue its momentum when the Season 2: Hellfire Gala changes are released.

During the livestream Jacob ‘JAKE’ Lyon, a commentator for Fight Night EU, said: “I think VP still hasn’t shown all their cards. We’re going to see some big changes in the meta coming up with Season 2, but I’m just excited to see what VP will show us. I’m not worried at all for their competitive strength, I still think they’re going to be the best team in EU.”

Across the world, Shikigami claimed a surprise victory against NA Invitational champions 100 Thieves in Marvel Rivals Fight Night #6 NA.

After beating BOOM Crew 3-0, Shikigami were considered the underdogs as the team faced the previous winners of Fight Night #5 NA in the finals. After nearly 2 hours of play, Shikigami shocked the scene after taking home the win.

It is interesting to note that this is the first time these two teams have faced off against one another in a tournament scene, as Shikigami never progressed far enough back in NA Invitational #2 to face 100 Thieves.

While Shikigami celebrates it win, concerns are being raised about 100 Thieves performance in the last weeks of the season. The organisation also lost to Sentinels back in MRC Season 1, in the NA PC bracket. Only time will tell if 100 Thieves will recover in Season 2.

Andrew ‘ZP’ Rush, one of the casters for Fight Night NA, said: “A brand new season means a team chalk full of talent like 100 Thieves can get time to look at the new meta, revamp, retool, and come back in and show that they still got it.

“It’s been a tough two weeks for 100 Thieves, whether it be MRC or Marvel Rivals Fight Night here. This is a learning experience, and I do think 100 Thieves will come back stronger than ever. But you got to give the flowers here to Shikigami for just defying all expectations and having incredible performances across their entire roster.”

With BLAST Slam III kicking off on May 5th, BLAST.tv has officially revealed the 10 invited teams that will compete in one of the biggest Dota 2 events of the year for the trophy and a massive $1m (~£770,635) prize pool.

Taking place at BLAST Studios in Copenhagen, the tournament will feature defending champions Tundra Esports alongside BetBoom Team, the inaugural Slam winners that are looking to bounce back after an underwhelming performance in Slam II.

Check out the complete list of participating teams below:

The tournament will begin with the teams being divided into two groups, with five teams each, competing in a single round-robin format. The top five teams from each group will move on to the single-elimination playoffs. 

The first-place team from each group will advance directly to the Semifinals, while second-place teams will be seeded into the Quarterfinals. Teams finishing 3rd will start their journey in Round 2, while the 4th and 5th place teams will have to battle starting from Round 1. 

All group stage matches will be best-of-one, while the playoffs will feature best-of-three series, except best-of-five Grand Final taking place on May 11th to crown the winner.

“Prepare for an action-packed adventure as these elite teams engage in high-stakes clashes, filled with awe-inspiring gameplay and impeccable strategy in Slam’s unique tournament format, with an unparalleled viewing experience, delivered straight from the BLAST Studios,” the official announcement stated.

The full schedule and prize pool distribution for BLAST Slam III will be announced soon. Fans will be able to catch all the action live on the BLAST Slam Dota 2 Twitch and YouTube channels, along with BLAST.tv’s official website.

European esports organisation Team Secret has announced it has signed chess grandmaster Anish Giri.

Giri will represent the organisation during the 2025 edition of the Esports World Cup alongside the second leg of the Champions Chess Tour.

The announcement was made by Team Secret on April 9th, 2025, as the organisation becomes the latest to add a chess player to its ranks ahead of the Esports World Cup where chess will make its debut.

Giri is one of 15 grandmasters that has signed for an organisation in the weeks leading up to the tournament which features a $1.5m (~£1.1m) prize pool.

“We’ve always looked for talent that’s not only world-class but also forward-thinking,” said John Yao, CEO of Team Secret. “Anish is that and more. He’s a brilliant competitor and also a hilarious and winning personality. We’re beyond excited to have him on board.”

Giri, currently ranked 18th in the world, became a grandmaster at 14 years old. Since then, he has become a four-time Dutch champion and built an online following of nearly one million followers.

Team Secret is one of several esports organisations that has expanded into chess in recent weeks. The likes of Team Liquid, Team Falcons, Wolves Esports, and more have also signed top-ranked players in preparation for the Esports World Cup which will feature a $70m (~£53.5m) prize pool split across 25 titles and the Club competition.

The inclusion of chess at the Esports World Cup is a contributing factor as to why esports organisations are signing chess players.

With a record-breaking amount of prize money on offer at 2025’s event, fielding the best players in the world gives organisations the best chance to earn points for the Club competition in which the winner takes home $7m (~£5.3m).

2024’s Club Championship was won by Saudi Arabian esports organisation Team Falcons after it achieved ten top-three placements and two victories.

Asian esports organisation TALON Esports has announced a partnership with sportsbooK Mel.bet. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.

According to the deal, Mel.bet will become TALON’s official sportsbook partner for its Dota 2 team, strengthening its presence in the game title.

TALON will feature Mel.bet BRADNING during competitive matches, on official team merchandise, and across Talon Dota’s social platforms, growing Melbet’s visibility in the Southeast Asian esports community.

For the collaboration, Talon will work on creating interactive content and promotional activations, as well as behind-the-scenes of its Dota 2’s competitive journey.

Sean Zhang, CEO of TALON, commented on the partnership: “We are thrilled to have Melbet on board as our official sportsbook partner. Melbet’s support will enable us to focus on our performance and take our game to the next level. We can’t wait to share this journey with our fans!”

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Hong Kong, TALON Esports fields teams across a total of 11 game titles, including VALORANT, League of Legends. Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG Mobile, Street Fighter, and TEKKEN 8, among others.

The esports organisation has been heavily expanding its portfolio of partners in the past few months. Last month, it closed a deal with online gaming software and technology firm ExitLag and, at the start of the year, brought in hardware brand ZOWIE for its VALORANT team in VCT Pacific.

Other brands include furniture company Secretlab, streetwear boutique Carniva, gaming hardware company ThundeRobot, multinational financial technology corporation Visa, and energy drink brand Monster Energy, as well as partners from the web3 space such as Perion Labs and the NFT MOBA game Apeiron.

At the start of the 2025 season, however, TALON terminated its partnership with football club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), losing the naming sponsorship for its League of Legends team.

Siege X was revealed on March 14, ahead of a June 10, 2025, release date, along with a variety of unique features and mechanical upgrades. Classic maps are being modernized to improve their visuals and add new ways to engage with the environment, like functional metal detectors and explosive gas pipes.

Environmental destruction is getting an update, but many players wonder what that may mean for competitive Siege. Destructible ingredients will change the esports scene forever, so here’s what you need to know to prepare for Siege X.

Destructible ingredients are a new way to interact with set pieces around a map. When Siege X launches, the ingredients will be exclusive to five modernized maps and the Dual Front mode, though more classic locales will be updated over time.

In Rainbow Six Siege, you’ll find that cameras, walls, and window boards are breakable but not much else. Siege X aims to expand upon the shooter’s environmental destruction by adding map accessories that can turn the tide of a battle.

There are three new ingredients, including a fire extinguisher, metal detector, and gas pipe. The detector offers an alarm system, while the gas pipe shoots fire that can melt through enemies.

Last but not least, fire extinguishers can be destroyed, providing a temporary smoke screen that’ll blind players. This ingredient may affect the competitive viability of operators who use smoke grenades since one of their abilities is now integrated into the map.

We’ve listed each destructible ingredient below, along with a short explanation about how they’ll function.

Ubisoft has made it clear that they’d like to expand esports in Siege X, and destructible ingredients are a big part of that plan. Here’s how enhanced environmental destruction will transform the competitive scene.

Trap operators like Frost and Lesion have been the best at ambushing enemies for a long time. Soon, destructible ingredients will provide a new way to trick your opponent. In tense situations, the smoke screen from a fire extinguisher can cause just enough confusion to escape or take out your foe with an explosive.

Pros will likely make heavy use of gas pipes, which can damage enemy players with fire. Aim your sights at the pipe, then wait until your opponent rounds the corner, firing into the object to create a wall of flames.

There are many new ways to outsmart opponents in Siege X, plus these methods are independent of a specific operator, so the competitive meta could shift to slower-paced combat in general.

There are a few operators in Siege that rely heavily on smoke grenades and detection gadgets. Operators like Smoke and Lion won’t become completely useless, but the addition of environmental mechanics that mimic gadgets will make certain characters less viable on the esports stage.

Some operators will see more use, though. Warden can see through smoke, but that ability isn’t especially useful in regular Rainbow Six Siege. The fire extinguisher will offer constant opportunities to make use of Warden’s niche gadget, increasing his competitive viability.

Each destructible ingredient furthers the accessibility of Siege X. You’ll no longer have to select a specific operator to access a smoke grenade or detection system, as they’re built straight into every modernized map.

Destructible ingredients are a wild card in any match. Esports athletes aren’t accustomed to competing on modernized maps with advanced environmental destruction, so we’ll have to wait and see how competitive teams adapt.

Players with a patient play style will benefit the most by waiting for the perfect moment, while some defending teams may even opt to destroy ingredients in the prep phase.

During the Siege X reveal, a show match was held between Team MeatyMarley and Team Skittlz. Despite lacking experience with destructible ingredients, the competitors quickly found advantageous ways to use fire extinguishers. The competing teams displayed how easily this ingredient can disrupt the flow of battle, even if nobody actually dies.

Some competitive Warden players, like Spoit, may even have a tactical advantage against fire extinguishers right off the bat. The usefulness of destructible ingredients is up to each player. Many athletes will make the most of them, while others will be left in the dust.

Advanced destruction is one of the best things about the modernized maps in Siege X, but they could be difficult to learn for beginners and pros alike. Fire extinguishers will cause constant impairment, while metal detectors make it more difficult to move through a map undetected.

For competitive Siege players, it may be jarring to learn all the new map mechanics and switch up which operators they main. However, gadgets offering the same abilities exist to match every ingredient, so top-tier competitors shouldn’t have too much trouble adjusting.

Ubisoft has made it clear that they’re willing to make changes to the core systems in Siege X to create a balanced playing field. Competitive athletes and streamers typically make the most use of map destruction, and Ubisoft takes their feedback seriously.

Operators and gadgets receive balancing updates constantly, so we’re expecting similar treatment for destructible ingredients. More interactable mechanics could even be introduced over time, though that would likely be years down the road.

Rainbow Six Siege and Fortnite both offer in-depth environmental destruction. Entire buildings can be destroyed in Fortnite, but this still isn’t the case with Siege X. Currently, you can destroy walls, window boards, and a limited number of set pieces.

Ubisoft developers want players to use specific ingredients to gain a tactical advantage, not simply destroy the modernized maps. Though games like Fortnite and Battlefield offer unique opportunities to interact with the world, Siege X is more limited in scope.

In the long term, destructible ingredients could inspire other shooters, like Call of Duty, to take a similar approach to environmental destruction.

Destructible ingredients are set to shake up competitive play. Environmental destruction hasn’t seen many updates since Rainbow Six Siege was released nearly a decade ago, so Siege X is the perfect opportunity to upgrade the base game by modernizing competitive maps. Each new mechanic will change how teams build their operator roster, so expect to see more Warden and Glaz on the battlefield.

Some operators may become obsolete, while many pro players will struggle to keep up with the random nature of destructible ingredients. Map destruction can change the flow of a battle in an instant, so you need to use ingredients to your advantage or simply destroy them should they hinder your play style.

We’ll have to wait until the R6 Reload to see which esports teams can adapt to Siege X. You can find out more about the upcoming competition on the Ubisoft Website.

Esports players don’t just play to win; they play to earn a living. This is especially true in games like League of Legends (LoL), where prize money can go into the millions for players and league teams. In the past decade, prize pools have jumped exponentially, spurring many tense and fun competitions to grab the final prize money. However, other factors are responsible for the huge income that esports players make in the industry, such as sponsorships and merchandise.

Several LoL events are held annually, such as the regional leagues, which are usually held from the Spring season to the League of Legends World Championship in October. This event draws all qualified teams and players from around the world.

In 2024, the Championship had a massive $2.25 million prize pool, but the 2025 event is going to double that amount, with an incredible $5 million in prize money up for grabs. With this in mind, we’re going to break down a LoL esports player’s earnings, where much of this income comes from, as well as look into the prize money available in other centralized and open esports tournaments.

The estimated earnings of esports players vary widely due to multiple factors — it’s not just about prize money. These include:

Different games in esports can offer varying prize pools. This is dependent on several factors, such as the size of the event, the sponsorships, merchandise, the popularity of the game, and much more. 

In 2025, the most popular esports games have the following prize money at their respective events:

Although League of Legends is widely agreed to be the most popular esports game in 2025, it’s Valve’s Dota 2 that consistently offers the most prize money, with as much as $40 million being offered to players and teams who end up winning at The International tournament, the game’s annual esports event.

However, LoL esports players’ earnings are high as the tournaments consistently offer significant prize money regardless. This is due to several revenue streams, such as sponsorships and exclusive broadcasting rights for streamers and TV networks to showcase the championships around the world.

Ultimately, there’s lots of money to be made in any of the most popular esports games in 2025, but if you want to try and make as much as you can, it won’t be in LoL.

When it comes to the League of Legends competitive scene in esports, there are plenty of tournaments held annually that players and viewers take part in. These include:

There are several players and teams in LoL that bring in lots of viewers and fans to several esports tournaments around the world.

Several teams have established themselves in the competitive landscape, such as T1, known for dominating championships like Worlds and LCK, especially with Faker leading the group. EDward Gaming, G2 Esports, and MAD Lions are also some of the most influential teams for LoL, consistently bringing in high viewership at multiple tournaments.

League of Legends is known for harboring several influential players, such as Faker, who is still regarded as one of its best players of all time. ShowMaker and Canyon from DAMWON KIA have also impacted several matches with their talents and showmanship. Caps of G2 Esports is also well-known for his respectful leadership, bringing the team to several wins over the years.

Established Pros like Faker and Uzi are well known in LoL for shaping how the game came to be established in several esports tournaments around the world. Faker is a three-time world champion, while ShowMaker and Canyon draw in millions of viewers via Twitch and other streaming platforms.

With any game in the esports scene, there will always be emerging players who are making their mark in the industry. Mun “Oner“ Hyeon-ju is a great example, having been mainly responsible for taking the T1 team to several wins in previous years, such as the LCK Cup in March 2025. Another is Juice, part of Royal Club, who joined the main roster in December 2024. He’s already making an impression with some notable wins in recent matches, such as in the League of Legends Development League (LDL) Split in February 2025.

A League of Legends players salary isn’t just about earning prize money once an esports tournament is over. Other factors, such as sponsorships and merchandise, also play their part in driving revenue for established players and teams alike.

With esports set to grow even more in 2025 by way of trends like mobile gaming, new games appearing at events, and much more, there is plenty of potential for earning more income. This, and many other factors, is why all players, not just League of Legends pro players, see plenty of opportunity in the industry. Although players like Duke and Bang have made over $300,000, it’s not an impossibility for that figure to triple within the next few years.

Brazil has taken another significant step in regulating its online gambling market by requiring all betting operators to register on the government-run platform, Consumidor.gov.br.

This directive, announced by the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon) under the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, aims to bolster consumer protection and ensure transparency in the rapidly growing sector.

The new mandate underscores Brazil’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens as the country embraces legal online gambling.

According to Wadih Damous, Secretary of National Consumer Affairs, this initiative provides bettors with a direct and efficient channel to lodge complaints and resolve disputes.

The platform has seemingly proven to be effective already, boasting an 81% resolution rate across over 8.9bn finalized complaints.

Régis Dudena, Secretary of Prizes and Bets, emphasised that this move reflects the Ministry of Finance’s dedication to enforcing legal standards and respecting consumer rights. By integrating betting firms into Consumidor.gov.br, regulatory bodies will have real-time oversight of complaints, enabling greater security and reliability for both operators and players.

Compliance with this regulation is now a prerequisite for operating legally in Brazil’s online gambling market.

Companies must register their businesses on Consumidor.gov.br and adhere to strict protocols for handling consumer disputes. Failure to comply could result in penalties or loss of operating licenses.

This requirement complements other recent measures introduced under Brazil’s Law 14.790/2023, which governs the online betting industry. The law mandates responsible gaming practices, fiscal transparency, and rigorous Know Your Customer protocols to prevent fraud and protect vulnerable populations

Since launching its regulated betting market on January 1, 2025, Brazil has emerged as a global hotspot for online gambling.

With over 200m residents and a sports-centric culture, the nation is poised to become one of the world’s leading betting markets.

However, challenges remain, including public concerns over gambling addiction and operational hurdles like compliance with strict advertising rules.

The registration requirement on Consumidor.gov.br is expected to improve public perception by demonstrating the industry’s commitment to accountability. It also aligns with broader efforts to curb illegal gambling operations, which have plagued Brazil’s market for years.

As Brazil continues refining its gambling regulations in 2025, these measures are likely to set a precedent for other countries exploring similar frameworks. The government’s focus on consumer rights and market transparency strengthens its domestic industry and positions Brazil as a model for regulated online gambling worldwide.