The GEF Powers Up 2022, Scales for More Growth & Development

Global Esports Games 2021 captured over 500 million views

The GEF launches strategic key hubs – Global Innovation and Research Centers (IRCs) around the world

2021 was a breakthrough year for the Global Esports Federation with many firsts. The inaugural Singapore 2021 Global Esports Games captured over 4.4 million live views at the flagship tournament and reached over 500 million accumulated views to date.

“These impressive results from the first Global Esports Games are clear indicators of the limitless potential of our esports community. With the support of the GEF Board and Administration, the Coordination Commission congratulates the Singapore 2021 Global Esports Games Chair, Ng Shin Ein; Executive Director, Mark Chay; the Singapore Esports Association; Sports Singapore; and all the Partners who created the GEF’s flagship event for our #worldconnected family of athletes and players. We look forward to taking the learnings and joy of esports to the Istanbul 2022 Global Esports Games in December this year,” shared Angela Ruggiero and Luzeng Song, Co-Chairs of the GEF Coordination Commission.

The GEF welcomes 2022 with robust plans and is set to double its administration with the launch of the Global Innovation and Research Centers (IRCs) in strategic key cities around the world. The IRCs are a response to the demand from its network and community as esports continues to grow exponentially. The GEF’s worldwide headquarters in Singapore will function as the center of the global hub, with IRCs in key cities to serve the needs for development, education, collaboration and innovation, and our diverse community worldwide.

“The Global Innovation and Research Centers emerged from over a year in stealth mode ideation and refinement with our teams at GEF*lab – the GEF’s incubator – and has been approved by the GEF Board. We learned a lot over the past years by listening to the needs of our global community and the stakeholders that are shaping the esports world. The community thrives when we connect and lean in to support each other and collaborate,” said Paul J. Foster, CEO of the GEF. “The IRCs will offer our partners opportunities to cultivate sustainable partnerships that will shape and contribute to the future state of play into the metaverse in a truly #worldconnected.”

The GEF Board has also confirmed 15 GEF Commissions and Councils for 2022, including a new Metaverse Council, and a Gen-Z-focused Youth Council following the success of the Global Esports Future Leaders Program. Two GEF Future Leaders from the global internship program have been appointed full-time roles with the organization and a second cohort will start in April this year.

As January turns to February, the GEF is ready to power up the new year with more exciting new activities in the lead-up to December’s Istanbul 2022 Global Esports Games. Stay tuned for more updates soon.