Vodafone expands support of esports through ESL partnership

Vodafone has become a premium partner of the world's largest esports company ESL, it announced on Thursday, and will sponsor ESL's flagship event series - Intel Extreme Masters, ESL One and ESL Pro League.

The FTSE 100 telco giant said the esports category was one of the fastest-growing international sports, with ESL tournaments taking place in arenas around the world with the best players and teams playing of live audiences, and millions of fans watching online.

It said the collaboration with ESL highlighted how Vodafone's international network could bring together gamers and fans from 25 countries, where Vodafone has more than 500 million mobile connections - including 104 million on 4G - and 19 million fixed broadband connections.

The partnership would also provide a showcase for the development of new 5G technologies set to “transform” gaming.

Vodafone would also work with ESL to support a series of initiatives to promote diversity and female participation in historically male-dominated esports activities.

The company would become a premium partner of the female esports challenge held during the IEM Sydney event in May, and would collaborate with the world's top female esports personalities to highlight the opportunities for women to participate professionally in esports or pursue a career in the esports industry.

“We are delighted to launch this partnership with ESL and create one of the biggest international networks for esports at a time when audiences are growing rapidly and new technologies are poised to deliver better experiences,” said Vodafone’s chief operations and strategy officer Serpil Timuray.

“I look forward to joining our customers across 25 countries in viewing ESL's exciting esports tournaments, both at home and on their mobile devices.”

ESL CEO Ralf Reichert said his firm was “thrilled” to partner with Vodafone as its new telecommunication partner for various events.

“Together with Vodafone we are looking forward to connect even more people and create diversity in esports by ensuring better technological conditions for professional players, fans and ESL employees, fostering corporate responsibility projects and creating awareness around the esports industry to a broader audience” Reichart explained.

“Vodafone is committed to support ESL with all their knowledge and strength and we could not be happier about that.”

Vodafone would be premium partner upcoming live events in Sydney, Birmingham and Cologne,, with further dates to be announced in due course:

The sponsorship agreement with ESL included a new live broadcast segment titled 'The Vodafone View', content and advertising distribution, as well as branding and activation at the events.

Vodafone said the ESL partnership built on its growing involvement in esports, including the recent sponsorship of "Vodafone Giants" in Spain, and Mousesports, the most successful German professional esports team.