EGES 2026

EGES 2026

Hyatt Regency - Main Stage (ballroom 2)

19th June

EGES 2026

19th June

EGES 2026

9.30am
Doors Open

Stage Hosts:

host

Bubba Gaeddert

Senior Lecturer | University Campus of Esports

host

Bubba Gaeddert

Senior Lecturer | University Campus of Esports

Host

Jordan Whitaker

Interim Director of Esports | William & Mary

Host

Jordan Whitaker

Interim Director of Esports | William & Mary

10.00am
Opening Remarks & Welcome

Speaker

Stephen Hanna

CEO | ESIC

Speaker

Stephen Hanna

CEO | ESIC

10.05am
From Vision to Reality: Building the Future of Global Esports

In this keynote, Niccolò Maisto, CEO of ESL FACEIT Group, shares the journey behind the creation of one of the world’s most influential esports organisations. From the early days of competitive gaming to the formation of a global leader, this session explores the strategy, vision, and key decisions that have shaped ESL FACEIT Group’s growth. Attendees will gain insight into scaling an esports business at the highest level, navigating industry evolution, and what lies ahead for the future of competitive gaming.

Read More

Speaker

Niccolo Maisto

CEO | ESL FACEIT GROUP

10.25am
Publishers & the Rise of Global Competition

As esports matures, success isn't defined by isolated competitions or single titles—it’s about building connected ecosystems that can scale globally.


This panel will unpack how game publishers, tournament/event operators, data infrastructure providers and other stakeholders such as destinations are aligning to create more structured, sustainable competitive environments for all involved. From publisher-led ecosystems and national representation formats, to the growing importance of data in decision-making, talent development, and commercialisation.


What makes an ecosystem commercially viable? How do you balance grassroots accessibility with elite competition? Where are the biggest opportunities for stakeholders looking to enter or expand within esports, and what’s driving growth in today’s esports landscape?

Read More

Moderator

Loren Gold

Executive Vice President | Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau

Speaker

Shane Clarke

Managing Director | Runestone

Speaker

Brian Krämer

Director of Product ENC | Esports Foundation

Speaker

Ajay Jilka

EMEA | Moonton

11.00am
To be announced

Session details to be announced

11.20am
Morning Coffee & Networking Break
11.40am
To be announced

Session details to be announced

12.05pm
Control, Collaboration, Competition: The TOs Shaping Global Esports

Tournament organisers sit at the centre of esports—balancing publisher control, commercial realities, and the demands of a global competitive ecosystem. As the industry matures, their role is becoming more complex, influential, and contested.

In this panel, leaders from three of the world’s leading tournament organisers explore how they navigate the tension between competition and collaboration. From working with publishers and bodies like ESIC to expanding into new markets and building sustainable event models, the discussion will examine how TOs are shaping the future of global esports.

Key themes include shifting power dynamics, the rise of regional ecosystems, and the challenges of scaling competition worldwide. The panel will also address a central question: can TOs collaborate to grow the industry while still competing at the highest level?

Designed for senior stakeholders, this session offers a candid look at the trade-offs, alliances, and strategic decisions defining modern esports competition.

Read More

Moderator

Zvonimir Burazin

Head of Operations | HLTV

Speaker

Merlin Wiedeking

CEO | NODWIN International

Speaker

Merlin Wiedeking

CEO | NODWIN International

Speaker

Andrew Haworth

SVP Esports | BLAST

Speaker

Ulrich Schulze

SVP Esports | ESL FACEIT Group

Speaker

Ulrich Schulze

SVP Esports | ESL FACEIT Group

12.40pm
Emerging Markets, Opportunities & Esports Investment in 2026

As growth plateaus in some traditional strongholds, will the future of esports be largely defined by its success in emerging markets? What are the broader untapped areas that continue to offer opportunity and innovation?

This panel featuring high level esports and investment expertise from across the globe who've been there, done it (and still are), will dissect these topics live on stage.

Who's getting it right, what's exciting the panel, and what do they want to see more of?

Read More

Moderator

Anna Baumann

LEC Winning Esports Executive

Moderator

Anna Baumann

LEC Winning Esports Executive

Speaker

Akshat Rathee

Managing Director | NODWIN International

Speaker

Matthieu Dallon

Founding Partner | Trust Esport

Speaker

Matthieu Dallon

Founding Partner | Trust Esport

Speaker

David Harris

Managing Director | Guinevere Capital

1.05pm
Lunch
2.25pm
Performance & Gaming Hardware Innovation

How does esports impact innovation when it comes to hardware? When miliseconds count and truly personalised set ups matter more than ever re the money on the line, a player's equipment, whether it's their monitor, mouse, headset, chair or something else, is vital.

This session gathers some of the finest minds in this area to discuss the most exciting innovations in this space, from those on the market to those in the works, and the involvement of professional players and coaches across the ecosystem.

Read More

Speaker

Celsa Wu

Head of Esports | ZOWIE (BenQ)

Speaker

Neil Duffy

CCO | OverActive Media

3.00pm
Afternoon Networking Break
3.20pm
Ranking the Game: The Future of Competitive Integrity Systems

Ranking systems are central to competitive integrity in esports—but remain one of its most debated elements. Using CS2’s VRS system as a case study, this panel explores how rankings are built, where they fall short, and how they shape tournament access, team value, and the broader competitive landscape. Moderated by Good Game Global, the discussion will examine the balance between data, governance, and fairness in the future of esports.

Read More

Moderator

Nikola Stolnik

CEO | Good Game Global

Speaker

Nicolas Maurer

CSO | Team Vitality

Speaker

Nicolas Maurer

CSO | Team Vitality

Speaker

Alban Dechelotte

CEO | G2 Esports

Speaker

Anne Banschbach

Program Director | Valve & Supercell, BLAST

3.55pm
Protecting What You Build: IP Essentials for the Esports and Gaming Sectors

Intellectual property sits at the heart of every game, brand, and commercial deal in esports and gaming, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood areas for operators, teams, and rights holders alike.

In this fireside chat, WIPO introduces its dedicated IP Guide for the esports and gaming sector, exploring how studios, publishers, organisers, and investors can better protect and leverage their IP assets in an increasingly competitive global market.

Read More

Speaker

Rafael Vazquez Ferraz

WIPO

Speaker

Sergi Mesonero

Head of Esports | Video Games Europe

4.10pm
Closing Remarks

Speaker

Stephen Hanna

CEO | ESIC

Speaker

Stephen Hanna

CEO | ESIC

6.30pm
Esports Leaders Honours & Evening Reception
Hyatt Regency - Main Stage (ballroom 2)