From sponsorships to industry-wide announcements, Insider Sport has you covered when it comes to the world of esports.
This week’s edition highlights the latest developments in the esports sector, including the FIA launching a new competition targeted at women and girls.
The world governing body of motorsport has launched the FIA Girls on Track Esports Cup, a new competition open to any female aged 16 and above who is eligible to compete. Importantly, no prior experience is required to participate.
iRacing, a leading sim racing platform, and Advanced SimRacing, a professional rig manufacturer, have been announced as official partners of the initiative.
Online qualification is already underway, with participants competing to set the fastest lap in iRacing’s Time Attack mode. This stage will run until 6 May, after which the top 10 performers will be invited to the 2025 FIA Extraordinary General Assemblies Week in Macau this June.
There, the finalists will take part in a multi-day, in-person event, with the ultimate winner crowned as the first-ever FIA Girls on Track Esports Champion.
Niroshan Pereira, President of the FIA Esports Commission, commented: “We know that Esports is the future – but for the discipline to truly grow and develop, we need to encourage more girls and women to get involved.
“We hope that this competition will act as a catalyst, encouraging aspiring racers to try out our discipline and consider pursuing a career in motorsport.”
Hoby Darling appointed President of Riot Games
Riot Games has named former Logitech Executive Hoby Darling as its new President.
In this role, Darling will collaborate with teams across the company to help staff “dream big, unlock creativity, and serve players around the world,” according to a company release.
Darling stated: “The first time I walked into Riot, I felt a scrappy, soulful, and courageous energy I knew I needed to be a part of. I’ve worked with a lot of companies, and there’s something special about a place that takes risks, challenges convention, and stays fiercely committed to its mission.
“Riot has a long history of creating experiences that truly matter to players, and I couldn’t be more excited to work alongside passionate Rioters who push each other to do their best work every day.”
Darling brings a wealth of experience from previous roles at Logitech, Skullcandy/Astro Gaming, Nike and Volcom. At Logitech, he served on the global executive team, leading several portfolio companies and co-founding a new division focused on esports athletes, creators and the future of play.
Dylan Jadeja, CEO of Riot Games, commented: “Hoby has spent his career at companies that serve the most passionate communities there are, from sports to gaming and beyond. He knows how to bring out the best in teams, and he’ll help Rioters tap into their creativity, sharpen their focus, and channel their competitive fire.
“Most importantly, he understands the importance of nurturing our creative heart and will challenge us to keep raising the bar for each other and for players.”
Interview with Fabian Scheuermann on EWC 2025 plans
Insider Sport sat down with Fabian Scheuermann, Chief Games Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, ahead of the upcoming 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This year’s tournament is set to break records once again, featuring a prize pool of over $70m, the largest in esports history, surpassing last year’s total by more than $10m. While some have viewed the prize money as a marketing tactic, Scheuermann emphasised that the focus is on long-term sustainability.
Scheuermann said: “The $70m+ prize pool at EWC 2025 is both a reflection of the growth and maturity of esports and a signal of our long-term commitment to the ecosystem.”
He highlighted that EWC’s vision goes beyond headline numbers. A cornerstone of its strategy is the Club Partner Program, designed to promote sustainable growth across the esports landscape.
“The program helps clubs to scale up, strengthen their brands, and gain greater visibility through fan-first content,” he added.
Discussing feedback from clubs, he noted: “All of our members have experienced the benefits of the program first-hand. It’s a very important part of our mission to build a sustainable future for esports clubs worldwide while also creating opportunities for organisations from some of the world’s fastest-growing markets.”
The full interview also explores how EWC 2025 is evolving from last year’s edition. Click HERE to read the full story.
