It's the grand finale! This Friday marks the sixth and final installment of Espoo Gaming Fridays, the thrilling 6-week online tournament series powered by SportsGamer.gg and the City of Espoo! It's been an incredible journey, and we're closing it out with a bang.

Whether you’ve been with us from the start or are looking for one last chance to compete, Espoo Gaming Fridays has a place for you. The tournament is open to all European residents, regardless of where you live. You don’t need to be from Espoo to participate!

⚽ This Friday: The FINAL EA FC 25 | 1v1 Tournament!

Our last tournament takes place this Friday, June 13, and features EA FC 25 in 1v1 format. This is your final opportunity to compete solo, test your skills, and represent your skill level in one of three divisions:
    •    Beginner – New to tournaments or esports
    •    Experienced – Played in competitive events before
    •    Pro – Competing at the highest levels

🕕 Start time: 18:00 CEST
🎮 Platform: EA FC 25 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
📆 Signups close: Friday at 12:00 CEST
🔗 Register using the links below or read more at SportsGamer.gg/Fridays (in Finnish)

• Friday 13.6. Sixth tournament - EA FC 25 - 1v1
  • Beginner
  • Experienced
  • Pro

🏆 Weekly Prizes – €160 per Tournament!

Each tournament features €160 in digital gift cards, distributed across the three divisions:
    •    🥇 Pro – €100
    •    🥇 Experienced – €40
    •    🥇 Beginner – €20

Gift cards can be used on PlayStation Store, Steam, or Xbox Store, and are distributed after each tournament. A total of €960 in prizes will be awarded across the 6-week series.

Prizes are non-transferable, and attempting to resell them may result in disqualification.

🗓️  Tournament Schedule (All completed tournaments marked with ✅)
    •    ✅ May 9 – NHL 25 | 4v4 🏒
    •    ✅ May 16 – EA FC 25 | 2v2 ⚽
    •    ✅ May 23 – NHL 25 | 4v4 🏒
    •    ✅ May 30 – EA FC 25 | 1v1 ⚽
    •    ✅ June 6 – NHL 25 | 4v4 🏒
    •    June 13 – EA FC 25 | 1v1 ⚽ ⚠️

ℹ️ Quick Notes
    •    All tournaments are free to join
    •    This final tournament is in the 1v1 format for EA FC
    •    A SportsGamer.gg account and player card are required to compete
    •    All matches are played online, with a typical duration of 3–5 hours

Get Involved!

Sign up by Friday at noon, and enjoy one last great evening of competition and community in the Espoo Gaming Fridays series! For full rules, FAQs, and registration links, visit:

 👉 SportsGamer.gg/Fridays

Let’s make the last tournament of Espoo Gaming Fridays unforgettable — see you on the pitch!

We’re halfway through Espoo Gaming Fridays, the fun and accessible 6-week online tournament series powered by SportsGamer.gg and the City of Espoo! With three tournaments completed and three more to go, there’s still plenty of time to jump in and win.

Whether you’re just starting out or already competing at a high level, Espoo Gaming Fridays has a place for you. The tournament is open to all European residents, regardless of where you live. You don’t need to be from Espoo to participate!

⚽ This Friday: EA FC 25 | 1v1 Tournament

Our next tournament takes place this Friday, May 30, and features EA FC 25 in 1v1 format. Compete solo, test your skills, and represent your skill level in one of three divisions:
    •    Beginner – New to tournaments or esports
    •    Experienced – Played in competitive events before
    •    Pro – Competing at the highest levels

🕕 Start time: 18:00 CEST
🎮 Platform: EA FC 25 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
📆 Signups close: Friday at 12:00 CEST
🔗 Register at using the links below or read more at SportsGamer.gg/Fridays (in Finnish)

Click below to reveal full list of registration links.

🏆 Weekly Prizes – €160 per Tournament!

Each tournament features €160 in digital gift cards, distributed across the three divisions:
    •    🥇 Pro – €100
    •    🥇 Experienced – €40
    •    🥇 Beginner – €20

Gift cards can be used on PlayStation Store, Steam, or Xbox Store, and are distributed after each tournament. A total of €960 in prizes will be awarded across the 6-week series.

Prizes are non-transferable and attempting to resell them may result in disqualification.

🗓️  Tournament Schedule
    •    ✅ May 9 – NHL 25 | 4v4 🏒
    •    ✅ May 16 – EA FC 25 | 2v2 ⚽
    •    ✅ May 23 – NHL 25 | 4v4 🏒
    •    May 30 – EA FC 25 | 1v1 ⚽
    •    June 6 – NHL 25 | 4v4 🏒
    •    June 13 – EA FC 25 | 1v1 ⚽

ℹ️ Quick Notes
    •    All tournaments are free to join
    •    NHL requires at least two players per team, EA FC is in the 1v1 format
    •    A SportsGamer.gg account and player card are required to compete
    •    All matches are played online, with a typical duration of 3–5 hours

Get Involved!

Grab a friend or go solo, sign up by Friday at noon, and enjoy a great evening of competition and community. For full rules, FAQs, and registration links, visit:

👉 SportsGamer.gg/Fridays

Let’s make the second half of Espoo Gaming Fridays bigger than ever — see you on the pitch!

SportsGamer Twitch and YouTube Channels Are Now Reactio Media

As part of a broader effort to grow and diversify our channel, the SportsGamer Twitch and YouTube platforms are now operating under the name Reactio Media.

What’s changing? In short — just the name. All of the broadcasts, tournaments, and content you’ve come to expect from SportsGamer will continue as before. SportsGamer remains an active and central part of the channel’s programming.

The new identity simply creates space for additional creators and content formats to emerge alongside our core esports coverage. While this new content may not always be tied directly to SportsGamer, the goal is to strengthen the entire platform — expanding reach, building a wider audience, and ultimately unlocking more opportunities for everyone involved.

This shift also supports our ability to attract sponsorships and partnerships, which in turn helps us continue improving SportsGamer’s own content and production value.

“How does this change things for me as a SportsGamer member?”

It doesn’t — aside from giving you the chance to tune in to something different when there’s no SportsGamer content live. Everything you care about is still here.

So when you see Reactio Media live on Twitch or YouTube — remember, it’s still us. Come say hi, join the stream, and be part of what’s next.

🎮 Up next on the channel: the ECL ’25: Spring Elite Quarterfinals, starting on Monday live at twitch.tv/ReactioMedia!

Follow SportsGamer on all platforms:

• 💬 Discord:  SportsGamer.gg/Discord 
• 📘 Facebook: @SportsGamerGG
• 📸 Instagram: @SportsGamerGG
• 📺 Kick: @SportsGamerGG
• 🎵 TikTok: @SportsGamerGG
• 🧵 Threads: @SportsGamerGG
• 🎥 Twitch: @ReactioMedia
• 🐦 Twitter (X): @SportsGamerGG
• ▶️ YouTube: @ReactioMedia

Espoo, Finland – May 2025 – SportsGamer.gg proudly presents Espoo Gaming Fridays, a fun and accessible 6-week online tournament series that brings together the communities of EA FC 25 and NHL 25. Whether you’re brand new to esports or already competing at a high level, there’s a place for everyone.

Organized for the City of Espoo, Finland’s second-largest municipality and a growing hub for gaming and technology, the tournament is open to all citizens of Europe, regardless of location. You don’t need to live in Espoo to participate!

The competition runs every Friday from May 9 to June 13, alternating between NHL 25 (4v4) and EA FC 25 (1v1) formats. Players compete in one of three divisions based on experience: Beginner, Experienced, or Pro.

🗓️ Tournament Schedule

• May 9 – NHL 25 | 4v4 🏒
• May 16 – EA FC 25 | 2v2 ⚽
• May 23 – NHL 25 | 4v4 🏒
• May 30 – EA FC 25 | 1v1 ⚽
• June 6 – NHL 25 | 4v4 🏒
• June 13 – EA FC 25 | 1v1 ⚽

All matches are played online via PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (EA FC only).

Tournaments start at 18:00 CEST and are estimated to last a maximum of 3-5h, depending on the number of participants and the success of your team.

🏆 Prizes

Each tournament awards a total of €160 in digital gift cards, broken down by division:

• 🥇 Pro – €100
• 🥇 Experienced – €40
• 🥇 Beginner – €20

In total, €960 in prizes will be awarded across the six events. Gift cards are redeemable for popular platforms like PlayStation Store, Steam, or Xbox Store. Prizes can not be resold, and attempting to do so can lead to disqualification and suspensions.

✅ How to Join

Each week has its own registration page, separated by skill level. Signups are open until Friday at 12:00 CEST before each tournament. The exception will be the first tournament on Friday, May 9th, where signups will close at 16:00 CEST.

Browse available cups and register here: 👉 SportsGamer.gg/Fridays (Finnish site)

Click below to reveal full list of registration links.

ℹ️ Who Can Play?

• Beginner: New to tournaments, first time playing in a team setting
• Experienced: Played competitively before
• Pro: Competing at the highest levels in SportsGamer or EA events

Each game mode requires teams of at least two players, and all players must have a SportsGamer.gg account and player card.

Get involved, compete with your friends, and represent your region on the virtual pitch and rink!

For full details, rules and info, visit the Espoo Gaming Fridays page.

Update: EA FC Tournaments have been switched over to the 1v1 mode.

SportsGamers,

Over the course of the years, we've set a high standard for NHL and other esports competitions with our leagues, tournaments, and content production around them. We have a lot of great people working behind the scenes, but in order to keep up with all the necessary tasks with greater efficiency, we are reaching out to you for help.
 

We are recruiting staff for several different positions and are looking for new staff members to work both with our leagues and tournaments. Most importantly, we are reaching out to our community to recruit a new Editor to take our written content production to the next level.

As an Editor at SportsGamer.GG, your main responsibilities will revolve around all written content published on social media, our website, or even communicated through our partners' channels in various circumstances. You will also be expected e to generate your own content and have a vision of how to develop our content creation moving forward. There are possibilities to expand the role once you get comfortable in your position. 

Editor: 

• Collaborate with content creators to refine and polish written and visual content for publication.
• Craft and develop the SportsGamer brand voice, style guidelines, and quality standards.
• Stay updated on industry trends in order to improve our content strategy. 

Mandatory skills include an excellent understanding of the English language, and the ability to produce coherent text in English by yourself. Additional Nordic languages, especially Finnish and Swedish are very useful in the position, even if not a requirement. As you will be working with content on our social media platforms, an understanding of Instagram, Threads, X, TikTok and Facebook would be beneficial. You will also benefit from understanding SEO at least on a basic level. 

Writers:

• Stay up to date with our leagues, tournaments and the latest industry news while creating interesting written content revolving around these.
• Have a knack for storytelling and finding the right ones to tell.
• Brainstorm ideas and content planning together with the Editor and other Writers.

Mandatory skills include good proficiency in the English language and the ability to produce coherent text in English by yourself. We expect you to be able to work independently and meet deadlines set together with the Editor. As a SportsGamer writer, you'll have the freedom to pitch ideas and influence the content generated on our platform.
 

Please send in a portfolio of your previous work as a reference. In case you don't have previous journalistic references to send in, feel free to sweep us off our feet with your application instead.

Reference from former Editor Janne @OGjahajaha Tarvonen:
As a long-time SportsGamer staff member, I can personally vouch for this being an excellent stepping stone into the industry and that hard work in the position will provide you with great opportunities. In my time with SportsGamer, I've gained lots of experience in journalism, worked with professionals in that industry and received valuable feedback on my work. Through the years I've also been given the opportunity to work with our partners in projects, such as the eLiiga or with the Finnish Football Association. My work has also been published in Ilta-Sanomat and Aftonbladet as a direct result of working with SportsGamer. 

As a SportsGamer Staff member, you will have a lot on your plate and we expect a certain level of work ethic, but in return you are provided with an interesting opportunity to enter the esports industry and develop your skills in a supportive environment. Several of our long-time members have made great improvements and taken steps towards a career in esports. 

Contact

Please send your application as an email to careers@sportsgamer.gg or reach out to @Kenu.
Please attach an introduction, your resume and a portfolio if you have one.

Interested in contributing outside of the areas listed above? Please fill out this form!

As we gear up for ECL ’25: Spring, we’re highlighting a set of valuable perks available to the members of the SportsGamer community. These benefits are designed to support players on their journey toward better performance, well-being, and team unity – both in and out of the game.

These are companies that have made the commitment to support our community and hope to grow with us, so we hope you check them out and like what they have to offer!

Free 3-Month Membership to the SportsGamer Health & Performance Program

All SportsGamer community members are eligible for a free 3-month membership to the Health & Performance Program, developed in partnership with Wellnet.

The platform offers a variety of training content and recovery-focused resources tailored to the needs of competitive players and esports athletes. It’s suitable for all fitness levels and is accessible worldwide.

To activate your free membership:

🔗 Visit health.sportsgamer.gg

🔓 Use code GAMER3

The platform includes:

• Exclusive content produced for SportsGamer users

• A large selection of English-language material

• Extensive content available in Finnish

• Select material also offered in Swedish

You'll also be happy to hear that there is no credit card required.

10 € Off Game Changer Supplements (Finland Only)

Players based in Finland can redeem a €10 gift card on Game Changer supplements using the code SPORTSGAMER10 at checkout.

Choose the formula that suits your needs:

• Level Up – For sharper concentration and mental clarity 🧠
• Level Down – To help relax and recover after intense gaming or workouts 🌙
• Immunity Boost – To support overall wellness and daily defense 🛡️
• Performance – For lasting energy and improved endurance ⚡

Please note: Game Changer currently ships within Finland only, but let's show them our support and hope for internal shipping options soon.

Instagram Giveaway (Finland Only)

Finnish players can also participate in our Instagram giveaway for a chance to win a Game Changer supplement package containing all four Game Changer products. Enter by April 3rd.

How to enter:

1. Visit the IG giveaway post
2. Tag two friends in the comments
3. Follow the Game Changer Instagram account
4. That’s it – you’re in! Winners will be announced April 4th.

ECL ’25: Spring – 6v6 - Registration Still Open

Spots are still available for the upcoming ECL ’25: Spring season, but registration is closing soon. Make sure your team is signed up and ready to compete.

🔗 Read more and register for ECL ’25: Spring

Stay Connected

Whether you’re here to improve your health, elevate your gameplay, or compete at the highest level – we’re glad to have you as part of the SportsGamer community.

More perks and performance-focused features are in the works, so stay tuned.

Follow us on:

• Discord
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• TikTok
• Twitch
• Twitter/X
• YouTube

Gamers, it’s time to take your performance to the next level—both in and out of the game! We’re excited to introduce the SportsGamer Health & Performance Program, designed in collaboration with Wellnet to help you stay at the top of your game.

Exclusive Perk for ECL License Holders 🎁

As a valued ECL License holder, you’re eligible for 3 MONTHS FREE access to the program!

• Check your email for details on how to claim your exclusive code!
  • 👉 Can’t find the email? No problem! Send us a message at health@sportsgamer.gg, and we’ll help you out.

What’s Inside the Program?

✅ Expert-Curated Training & Health Content
✅ Personalized Progress Tracking
✅ Workout Time Leaderboards – Compare your team’s total workout hours with other ECL teams!
✅ Diverse Content in English, Finnish & Swedish

This is your chance to enhance your endurance, mobility, muscle fitness, and recovery—all tailored to fit your gaming lifestyle.

How to Join the Program

• 🔹 For ECL License Holders – 3 Months FREE
  • ➡ Check your email for details on how to activate your free 3-month membership.
  • 👉 Can’t find the email? Contact us at health@sportsgamer.gg, and we’ll get you set up!
     
• 🔹 For Everyone Else – 1 Month FREE
  • 1️⃣ Go to health.sportsgamer.gg
  • 2️⃣ Enter your details
  • 3️⃣ Use code SPORTSGAMER1 to activate a FREE 1-month membership

No credit card required—this is a 100% free opportunity to start your health journey!

📈 Track Your Progress & Compete with Your Team!

📊 Want to see how your team stacks up? The platform tracks total workout hours across ECL teams—so whether you’re training solo or with your squad, you can compare your efforts and see how your team ranks!

(👀 Don’t worry, only total time spent is shared—your personal workouts remain private.)

💪 Monitor Your Health & Performance Data

Your personal My Health Data page keeps track of your activity and can even suggest new fitness areas to explore—whether it’s mobility, endurance, muscle fitness, or recovery.

It’s completely up to you how you engage with the program. Whether you prefer sticking to a few favorite workouts or mixing it up with new challenges, any progress is a step toward better performance.

Join the Movement – Start Today!

We’re excited to bring this opportunity to the SportsGamer community. If you’re an ECL License holder, check your email now to claim your exclusive 3-month free access!

👉 Need help? Reach out to us at health@sportsgamer.gg.

💪 Get started now: health.sportsgamer.gg
 

SportsGamers,

Over the course of the years, we've set a high standard for NHL and other esports competitions with our leagues, tournaments, and content production around them. We have a lot of great people working behind the scenes, but in order to keep up with all the necessary tasks with greater efficiency, we are reaching out to you for help.
 

We are recruiting staff for several different positions and are looking for new staff members to work both with our leagues and tournaments. Most importantly, we are reaching out to our community to recruit a new Editor to take our written content production to the next level.

As an Editor at SportsGamer.GG, your main responsibilities will revolve around all written content published on social media, our website, or even communicated through our partners' channels in various circumstances. You will also be expected e to generate your own content and have a vision of how to develop our content creation moving forward. There are possibilities to expand the role once you get comfortable in your position. 

Editor: 

• Collaborate with content creators to refine and polish written and visual content for publication.
• Craft and develop the SportsGamer brand voice, style guidelines, and quality standards.
• Stay updated on industry trends in order to improve our content strategy. 

Mandatory skills include an excellent understanding of the English language, and the ability to produce coherent text in English by yourself. Additional Nordic languages, especially Finnish and Swedish are very useful in the position, even if not a requirement. As you will be working with content on our social media platforms, an understanding of Instagram, Threads, X, TikTok and Facebook would be beneficial. You will also benefit from understanding SEO at least on a basic level. 

Writers:

• Stay up to date with our leagues, tournaments and the latest industry news while creating interesting written content revolving around these.
• Have a knack for storytelling and finding the right ones to tell.
• Brainstorm ideas and content planning together with the Editor and other Writers.

Mandatory skills include good proficiency in the English language and the ability to produce coherent text in English by yourself. We expect you to be able to work independently and meet deadlines set together with the Editor. As a SportsGamer writer, you'll have the freedom to pitch ideas and influence the content generated on our platform.
 

Please send in a portfolio of your previous work as a reference. In case you don't have previous journalistic references to send in, feel free to sweep us off our feet with your application instead.

Reference from former Editor Janne @OGjahajaha Tarvonen:
As a long-time SportsGamer staff member, I can personally vouch for this being an excellent stepping stone into the industry and that hard work in the position will provide you with great opportunities. In my time with SportsGamer, I've gained lots of experience in journalism, worked with professionals in that industry and received valuable feedback on my work. Through the years I've also been given the opportunity to work with our partners in projects, such as the eLiiga or with the Finnish Football Association. My work has also been published in Ilta-Sanomat and Aftonbladet as a direct result of working with SportsGamer. 

As a SportsGamer Staff member, you will have a lot on your plate and we expect a certain level of work ethic, but in return you are provided with an interesting opportunity to enter the esports industry and develop your skills in a supportive environment. Several of our long-time members have made great improvements and taken steps towards a career in esports. 

Contact

Please send your application as an email to careers@sportsgamer.gg.
Please attach an introduction, your resume and a portfolio if you have one.

Interested in contributing outside of the areas listed above? Please fill out this form!

At SportsGamer, we’re more than just a platform; we’re a community of passionate gamers, creators, and innovators. While our recent search for talented editors and writers continues (you can read more about these opportunities here), there are numerous other ways to contribute and grow with us.

Wide Range of Opportunities

Whether you’re into the technical side of gaming, love managing thriving communities, or have a knack for content creation, we might have a place for you. Here are some examples of areas where we look to expand and improve:

• Content Creation (Video): Bring games to life by creating engaging video content that captures the essence of gameplay and community events.

• Discord Development and Moderation: Help enhance and moderate our active Discord server to maintain a welcoming and dynamic environment for all members.

• Helpdesk / Support: Assist our members with inquiries and provide support to ensure everyone has the best experience possible on our platform.

• New Player & Team Onboarding: Actively engage with new members, helping them navigate our site and answering any questions they may have to ensure a smooth introduction to our community.

• Social Media: Manage our presence across various social platforms, engaging with our audience and spreading the word about all the great things happening at SportsGamer.

• Twitch Moderator: Keep our Twitch streams friendly and engaging, ensuring a great viewing experience.

• Other: Is there something that you're excited about and would like to share with the world or gain experience in? Please feel free to make a suggestion using the below linked form.

How to Apply

See anything that you would like to do or curious about other ways you can get involved? We’d love to hear from you! Please fill out our application form to get started. Whether you’re looking to find a career in gaming or want to contribute to your favorite hobby, let’s explore what we can achieve together.

We're looking forward to hearing from you!

SportsGamers,

Over the course of the years, we've set a high standard for NHL and other esports competitions with our leagues, tournaments, and content production around them. We have a lot of great people working behind the scenes, but in order to keep up with all the necessary tasks with greater efficiency, we are reaching out to you for help.
 

We are recruiting staff for several different positions and are looking for new staff members to work both with our leagues and tournaments. Most importantly, we are reaching out to our community to recruit a new Editor to take our written content production to the next level.

As an Editor at SportsGamer.GG, your main responsibilities will revolve around all written content published on social media, our website, or even communicated through our partners' channels in various circumstances. You will also be expected e to generate your own content and have a vision of how to develop our content creation moving forward. There are possibilities to expand the role once you get comfortable in your position. 

Editor: 

• Collaborate with content creators to refine and polish written and visual content for publication.
• Craft and develop the SportsGamer brand voice, style guidelines, and quality standards.
• Stay updated on industry trends in order to improve our content strategy. 

Mandatory skills include an excellent understanding of the English language, and the ability to produce coherent text in English by yourself. Additional Nordic languages, especially Finnish and Swedish are very useful in the position, even if not a requirement. As you will be working with content on our social media platforms, an understanding of Instagram, Threads, X, TikTok and Facebook would be beneficial. You will also benefit from understanding SEO at least on a basic level. 

Writers:

• Stay up to date with our leagues, tournaments and the latest industry news while creating interesting written content revolving around these.
• Have a knack for storytelling and finding the right ones to tell.
• Brainstorm ideas and content planning together with the Editor and other Writers.

Mandatory skills include good proficiency in the English language and the ability to produce coherent text in English by yourself. We expect you to be able to work independently and meet deadlines set together with the Editor. As a SportsGamer writer, you'll have the freedom to pitch ideas and influence the content generated on our platform.
 

Please send in a portfolio of your previous work as a reference. In case you don't have previous journalistic references to send in, feel free to sweep us off our feet with your application instead.

Reference from former Editor Janne @OGjahajaha Tarvonen:
As a long-time SportsGamer staff member, I can personally vouch for this being an excellent stepping stone into the industry and that hard work in the position will provide you with great opportunities. In my time with SportsGamer, I've gained lots of experience in journalism, worked with professionals in that industry and received valuable feedback on my work. Through the years I've also been given the opportunity to work with our partners in projects, such as the eLiiga or with the Finnish Football Association. My work has also been published in Ilta-Sanomat and Aftonbladet as a direct result of working with SportsGamer. 

As a SportsGamer Staff member, you will have a lot on your plate and we expect a certain level of work ethic, but in return you are provided with an interesting opportunity to enter the esports industry and develop your skills in a supportive environment. Several of our long-time members have made great improvements and taken steps towards a career in esports. 

Contact

Please send your application as an email to careers@sportsgamer.gg or reach out to @Kenu.
Please attach an introduction, your resume and a portfolio if you have one.

Interested in contributing outside of the areas listed above? Please fill out this form!

SportsGamers,

Over the course of the years, we've set a high standard for NHL and other esports competition with our leagues, tournaments, and content production around them. We have a lot of great people working behind the scenes, but in order to keep up with all the necessary tasks with greater efficiency, we are reaching out to you for help.
 

We are recruiting staff for several different positions and are looking for new staff members to work both with our leagues and tournaments. Most importantly, we are reaching out to our community to recruit a new Editor to take our written content production to the next level.

As an Editor at SportsGamer.GG, your main responsibilities will revolve around all written content published on social media, our website, or even communicated through our partners' channels in various circumstances. You will also be expected e to generate your own content and have a vision of how to develop our content creation moving forward. There are possibilities to expand the role once you get comfortable in your position. 

Editor: 

• Collaborate with content creators to refine and polish written and visual content for publication.
• Craft and develop the SportsGamer brand voice, style guidelines, and quality standards.
• Stay updated on industry trends in order to improve our content strategy. 

Mandatory skills include an excellent understanding of the English language, and the ability to produce coherent text in English by yourself. Additional Nordic languages, especially Finnish and Swedish are very useful in the position, even if not a requirement. As you will be working with content on our social media platforms, an understanding of Instagram, Threads, X, TikTok and Facebook would be beneficial. You will also benefit from understanding SEO at least on a basic level. 

Writers:

• Stay up to date with our leagues, tournaments and the latest industry news while creating interesting written content revolving around these.
• Have a knack for storytelling and finding the right ones to tell.
• Brainstorm ideas and content planning together with the Editor and other Writers.

Mandatory skills include good proficiency in the English language and the ability to produce coherent text in English by yourself. We expect you to be able to work independently and meet deadlines set together with the Editor. As a SportsGamer writer, you'll have the freedom to pitch ideas and influence the content generated on our platform.
 

Please send in a portfolio of your previous work as a reference. In case you don't have previous journalistic references to send in, feel free to sweep us off our feet with your application instead.

Reference from former Editor Janne @OGjahajaha Tarvonen:
As a long-time SportsGamer staff member, I can personally vouch for this being an excellent stepping stone into the industry and that hard work in the position will provide you with great opportunities. In my time with SportsGamer, I've gained lots of experience in journalism, worked with professionals in that industry and received valuable feedback on my work. Through the years I've also been given the opportunity to work with our partners in projects, such as the eLiiga or with the Finnish Football Association. My work has also been published in Ilta-Sanomat and Aftonbladet as a direct result of working with SportsGamer. 

As a SportsGamer Staff member, you will have a lot on your plate and we expect a certain level of work ethic, but in return you are provided with an interesting opportunity to enter the esports industry and develop your skills in a supportive environment. Several of our long-time members have made great improvements and taken steps towards a career in esports. 

Contact

Please send your application as an email to careers@sportsgamer.gg.
Please attach an introduction, your resume and a portfolio if you have one.

Interested in contributing outside of the areas listed above? Please reach out and let us know where you'd like to contribute!

HockeyGM is a Finnish NHL coaching game. The service lets you build your own team of NHL players and act as a GM. HGM NHL 24 Varjopleijarit is a casual low-threshold NHL 24 tournament, consisting of a one-night 1v1 tournament. Games are played in Online Versus mode on PlayStation 5 consoles, and product prizes are awarded to the best players.

The tournament is aimed at novice NHL 24 players, so this is a great opportunity to get a taste of competitive gaming and show off your skills. Check the tournament rules* for entry restrictions:

HGM NHL 24 Shadow Players Rules

The tournament will be played on Friday 26.4.2024

AWARDS

The following prizes will be awarded to the best players in the tournament:

1. 6 months Sports Magazines + Hockey GM season code
2. 6 months Sports Magazines + Hockey GM season code
3. 6 months Sports Magazines + Hockey GM season code
4. Hockey GM season code

All those who participate in the tournament and complete their games will be entered into a prize draw for a Hockey GM season code.

ENTER HERE

 REGISTER FOR THE TOURNAMENT 

* Participation requires a home address in Finland

The Espoo eHockey Open is a casual, low-threshold NHL 24 tournament that is suitable for all levels of NHL players. The tournament is played in 4v4 mode and was open to teams of two or more players on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles. Product prizes will be awarded to the top teams.

The tournament games have been played mainly online, but the finalists will face each other this Saturday, 13th of April, at the final event in the Shopping Centre Ainoa in Espoo, Finland. At the event, you can enjoy playing NHL 24 in good company and watch the tournament's toughest teams go head-to-head.

The program for the final event:

10:00-13:00 Free play

13:30-14:30 Final - Espoo eHockey Open: Beginners - (4) Valkealan Kiekko vs IceVikings (8)

14:45-16:00 Final - Espoo eHockey Open: Experienced players - (1) Naski vs ROBE Esports (3)

16:15-17:30 Final - Espoo eHockey Open: Professionals - (4) GOONS vs JYP All-Stars (6)

17:30-19:00 Free play

The final matchups will be decided in a best-of-three series. The schedule is approximate.

As usual, if you can't make it to the venue, you'll also be able to watch the stream live at https://www.twitch.tv/sportsgamergg!

Hello SportsGamers!

We are rolling out a Customer Satisfaction Survey specifically designed for our esteemed esports platform users. This survey only takes 5-10 minutes, and your insights are invaluable! The survey contains a blend of multiple-choice questions, rating scales, and open-ended questions where you can really get your point across.

Your responses will be kept confidential and used solely for the purpose of improving our platform and services.

Why participate?
-    Your voice has a chance to shape the future of our platform!
-    Chance to win 20 EUR (or equal value) PSN/Xbox gift cards (winners will be contacted via SG Community Private Message)!
-    It only takes about 5-10 minutes of your time!

How to participate

For your convenience, we have created the survey in three languages: English, Finnish, and Swedish. Feel free to fill out in whichever language you are most comfortable with, but please only fill out the form in one language.

-    Take the Survey in English 🇬🇧 🇺🇸
-    Take the Survey in Finnish 🇫🇮
-    Take the Survey in Swedish 🇸🇪

Take the survey at the latest on 24th of March 🗓️
As this survey is also analyzed and being utilized by a community member writing their thesis, it will only be open for 10 days, so please submit your feedback at your earliest convenience.

Thank you in advance!

Note: Click here for information in Finnish

The Espoo eHockey Open is a relaxed, low-threshold NHL 24 tournament suitable for players of all levels. Participants mainly compete online, but the finalists will meet at the final event in Kauppakeskus Ainoa, Espoo, on April 13. The tournament's opening event was also celebrated at the NHL Hockey Day in Finland event in Espoo a couple of weeks ago on March 1st.

The tournament is played in the World of Chel 4v4 mode (officially called 3v3 in NHL 24), and teams of two or more members can participate. The best teams will be awarded product prizes in the form of goodie bags. Games are played on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles. Participation is free. Registration ends Wednesday, March 13th at the end of the day.

The tournament consists of three different levels suitable for NHL 24 players of all levels:

Beginner (Aloittelija) - players who have never participated in tournaments and want to have their first experience of team play.

Experienced (Kokenut) - a team, or most of the team's players, have played competitively before.

Professional (Ammattilainen) - the team plays at the highest levels of SportsGamer or EA Sports.

While players are free to join from outside of Finland, the finals for each of the three levels will be played live and participants will be expected to appear on location.

Tournament Schedule:

• Friday, March 1st: Opening event at the NHL Hockey Day in Finland event in Espoo. Free play and challenge games are available.
• Wednesday, March 13th: Registration ends
• Thursday, March 15th: Tournament begins online
• Wednesday, April 3rd: The online part of the tournament ends
• Saturday, April 13th: The tournament culminates in the final event at Kauppakeskus Ainoa in Espoo. Free play for eHockey, tournament finals, and exhibition matches will be available.

Please note that the schedule is indicative and may change depending on the number of participants.

Sign up your team here:

Welcome to the Leijonat eHockey Open!

The Leijonat eHockey Open is a relaxed low-threshold NHL 24 tournament package for players in Finland, consisting of four one-night tournaments. Tournaments will be offered in both 1v1 and 4v4 modes and the best players and teams will be rewarded with Team Finland product prizes. 1v1 games will be played on PlayStation 5 consoles and the 4v4 mode will be available on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles.

The tournament is aimed at novice NHL 24 players, so this is a great opportunity to get a taste of competitive gaming and show off your skills. Check the tournament rules for entry restrictions:
Lions eHockey Open - 1v1 Rules
Lions eHockey Open - 4v4 Rules

The tournament will be played from 12.1.2024, on Friday evenings for four weeks as follows:

• 12.1. the Lions eHockey Open 1v1
• 19.1. 19.1. Lions eHockey Open 4v4
• 26.1. Lions eHockey Open 1v1
• 2.2. Lions eHockey Open 4v4

The 1v1 games are played in the Online Versus format as individuals and the 4v4 games are played in the World of Chel format with a team of 2-4 players.

PRIZES
In each weekly tournament, the top two players/teams will be offered great Lions prizes:

1v1
1. Team Finland fan kit (jersey, beanie & scarf)
2. Team Finland jersey

4v4
1. Team Finland fan sets (jersey, beanie & scarf)
2. Team Finland beanies

All those who participated in the tournament and completed the tournament with honors will be entered into a draw for a Leijonat fan kit.

PARTICIPATE USING THE LINKS BELOW
 

SportsGamers,

This is your reminder to sign up for our Casual NHL and FIFA leagues starting in just over a week! Now is a great time to pick up the controller and get ready for the new game by meeting new players and having some fun to cap off the '23 season. 

While both the eHockey and eSoccer leagues will be running simultaneously, the emphasis is on having fun at a relaxed pace. These leagues are skill capped in order to allow for casual players to enter and have an enjoyable gaming experience. Now is the time to sign up for either the Casual eHockey League, Casual eSoccer League, or perhaps both! Participation is free for ECL '23 Player License holders!

Here are the dates for the Casual Leagues:

• Start/Week 1 -  20.8
• Week 2 - 27.8
• Week 3 - 3.9
• Week 4 - 10.9
• Final day  - 17.9

Visit the landing pages here to read more and sign up:

Casual eHockey League

Casual eSoccer League

Details

Casual eHockey League - NHL 23:

• Played in two divisions:
  • New Gen: PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X/S
  • Old Gen: PlayStation 4 & Xbox One
• World of Chel 3v3 (Teams of 2-4 players)
• Entry fee 10€/player (free entry for ECL ‘23 Player License holders)
• Skill cap - participants must not have:
  - Matches played at ECL Pro or Elite league levels in the current or last four seasons (ECL '23 Winter, ECL '22 Spring, ECL '22 Winter or ECL 12)
  - Matches played in the TOP 8 ranked team in SportsGamer's national 6v6 tournaments in the last two years.
  - TOP 16 positions in national or international 1v1 tournaments.
   

Casual eSoccer League - FIFA 23:

• Played in two divisions:
  • New Gen: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
  • Old Gen: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• FUT (1v1)
• Entry fee 10 €/player (free entry for ECL ‘23 Player License holders)
• Skill cap - participants must not have:
  - Earned FGS points
  - Played Elite division in FIFA 23

Prizes

Both the eHockey and eSoccer league will feature cash prizes for top performers. 

The total prize pool for both leagues is going to be 2 500€ each. This prize pool will be split as follows between the top 4 teams/players:

#1 40%
#2 20 %
#3 10%
#4 10%

The exact prize pool split between the Old Gen (PS4/XB1) and New Gen (PS5/XSX) divisions will be determined based on the number of participating players in each division. 

With weekly matches, a friendly community of players, and a range of skill levels, there's no better way to jump into the world of esports. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for our Casual eHockey or eSoccer League today and start playing!

SportsGamers,

We've heard the feedback from the community regarding the timing and your availability for the Casual Leagues and thus we have extended the period for sign-ups and the new start date for the Casual Leagues is August 20th!

As a reminder, while both the eHockey and eSoccer leagues will be running simultaneously, the emphasis is on having fun at a relaxed pace. These leagues are skill capped in order to allow for casual players to enter and have an enjoyable gaming experience. Now is the time to sign up for either the Casual eHockey League, Casual eSoccer League, or perhaps both! Despite the new dates, participation remains free for ECL '23 Player License holders!

Here are the updated dates for the Casual Leagues:

• Start/Week 1 -  20.8
• Week 2 - 27.8
• Week 3 - 3.9
• Week 4 - 10.9
• Final day  - 17.9

Visit the landing pages here to read more and sign up:

Casual eHockey League

Casual eSoccer League

Details

Casual eHockey League - NHL 23:

• Played in two divisions:
  • New Gen: PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X/S
  • Old Gen: PlayStation 4 & Xbox One
• World of Chel 3v3 (Teams of 2-4 players)
• Entry fee 10€/player (free entry for ECL ‘23 Player License holders)
• Skill cap - participants must not have:
  - Matches played at ECL Pro or Elite league levels in the current or last four seasons (ECL '23 Winter, ECL '22 Spring, ECL '22 Winter or ECL 12)
  - Matches played in the TOP 8 ranked team in SportsGamer's national 6v6 tournaments in the last two years.
  - TOP 16 positions in national or international 1v1 tournaments.
   

Casual eSoccer League - FIFA 23:

• Played in two divisions:
  • New Gen: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
  • Old Gen: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• FUT (1v1)
• Entry fee 10 €/player (free entry for ECL ‘23 Player License holders)
• Skill cap - participants must not have:
  - Earned FGS points
  - Played Elite division in FIFA 23

Prizes

Both the eHockey and eSoccer league will feature cash prizes for top performers. 

The total prize pool for both leagues is going to be 2 500€ each. This prize pool will be split as follows between the top 4 teams/players:

#1 40%
#2 20 %
#3 10%
#4 10%

The exact prize pool split between the Old Gen (PS4/XB1) and New Gen (PS5/XSX) divisions will be determined based on the number of participating players in each division. 

With weekly matches, a friendly community of players, and a range of skill levels, there's no better way to jump into the world of esports. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for our Casual eHockey or eSoccer League today and start playing!

SportsGamers,

Please note: We've heard the feedback from the community regarding the timing for the Casual Leagues and thus we have extended the period for sign-ups and the new start date for the Casual Leagues is August 20th!

Action for the Casual Leagues will be kicking off on Sunday, August 20th and while both the eHockey and eSoccer leagues will be running simultaneously, the emphasis is on having fun at a relaxed pace. Participation is free for ECL '23 Player License holders!

These leagues are skill capped in order to allow for casual players to enter and have an enjoyable gaming experience. Now is the time to sign up for either the Casual eHockey League, Casual eSoccer League, or perhaps both!

Details

Casual eHockey League - NHL 23:

• Played in two divisions:
  • New Gen: PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X/S
  • Old Gen: PlayStation 4 & Xbox One
• World of Chel 3v3 (Teams of 2-4 players)
• Entry fee 10€/player (free entry for ECL ‘23 Player License holders)
• Skill cap - participants must not have:
  - Matches played at ECL Pro or Elite league levels in the current or last four seasons (ECL '23 Winter, ECL '22 Spring, ECL '22 Winter or ECL 12)
  - Matches played in the TOP 8 ranked team in SportsGamer's national 6v6 tournaments in the last two years.
  - TOP 16 positions in national or international 1v1 tournaments.
   

Casual eSoccer League - FIFA 23:

• Played in two divisions:
  • New Gen: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
  • Old Gen: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• FUT (1v1)
• Entry fee 10 €/player (free entry for ECL ‘23 Player License holders)
• Skill cap - participants must not have:
  - Earned FGS points
  - Played Elite division in FIFA 23

Prizes

Both the eHockey and eSoccer league will feature cash prizes for top performers. 

The total prize pool for both leagues is going to be 2 500€ each. This prize pool will be split as follows between the top 4 teams/players:

#1 40%
#2 20 %
#3 10%
#4 10%

The exact prize pool split between the Old Gen (PS4/XB1) and New Gen (PS5/XSX) divisions will be determined based on the number of participating players in each division. 

With weekly matches, a friendly community of players, and a range of skill levels, there's no better way to jump into the world of esports. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for our Casual eHockey or eSoccer League today and start playing!

SportsGamers, the Player Spotlight series is making its return with the objective of showcasing gamers that would perhaps otherwise fall outside normal reporting, but that we want to get to know better. Our strength is this community, so let's get to know each other!

After lots of eHockey action we are back with yet another highly requested episode of our "Player Spotlight" series! This time we are back with Josh @Hasek-39-- Plattner. Austrian Goalie, Inter Iceland legend and current captain of Eisbären Lauf Gaming! 

1. When did you start playing EASHL?
I started playing EASHL back in NHL13. I started to play with Stephan @Krinke Krinke and Alexander @Fire_019 Eder. We are still very good friends and we have played several ECL and GCL seasons together!

2. You have played your first ECL back in Season 4. What are your highlights of your EASHL career so far?
The time with the legendary Silver Sword Griffins back in ECL 6, 7 and 8. A very skilled team full of loyal and friendly characters. I am glad that I met people such as Rihards @xLVxRitchey Bartuševičs, P @PSchibra Schibra and Ak @ProMinx24 Kungs. I will never forget ECL 6 Elite - defensivewise the best team I ever played for.

3. After serving several seasons as Captain of the legendary "Inter Iceland", what do you enjoy most about playing for Eisbären Lauf Gaming now?
I really started to enjoy the game again. No drama, less stress, just focussing on the game itself. I am really impressed by the team spirit within the squad and it is really fun to see how every individual player manages to improve steadily. On top of that I am very happy to help the team with my experience and try to give them the edge in tough situations.

4. What is your favourite dish?
I have to go with Calamari fritti!

5. You're GM for a day and have to pick your favourite GCL (only DACH-players) and ECL lineup. Who would you pick and why?

GCL:

@Keuschemisch - @Original-SnuS - @IDangledYouOut

                      @Toneee9 - @xXPsykoSkillsXx

                                  @afc_Tschitsch

I have to go with Sven @Original-SnuS Julmi at Center. Several consecutive seasons on the highest level and matured in his defensive game a lot. On the left wing I would pick Kevin @Keuschemisch Berg who is currently probably the best player in the DACH-area. Incredible skillset and good two-way-game. Alex @IDangledYouOut Wagner gets my spot on the right wing. Every team would be glad to have a player like him in their team. My two defensemen have to be Max @Toneee9 Tonitz and Niklas @xXPsykoSkillsXx Schmitz. Great decisionmaking, solid defense but also a threat in the offensive end on the ice. Both are the best on their positions for years now! Reto @afc_Tschitsch Ulrich is my favourite Goalie in the GCL. Developed to one of the best between the pipes and his stats during the last seasons underline that!

Honorable Mentions: Simon @PlaymakerSJ Junker, Stefan @Stefan_397 Hämmerle & Patrick @RPH_31 Braun

ECL:

@Vilupoika - @ADETIKKI - @Eki

      @l-Furyan-l - @xLVxRitchey

                          @ICappeI 

6. Would you rather be an average hockeyplayer or the best EA Sports NHL player?
I would rather be an average hockeyplayer. As a kid I always dreamed of becoming a professional hockey goalie but unfortunately it was not possible due to financial reasons.

7. How do you spend you freetime besides playing EA Sports NHL?
In the summertime you will find me at the lakeside here in Kärnten, Austria. This really helps me to relax after a stressful day at work. Besides that I really like to grind Rainbow Six Siege with my friends!

8. What’s the most memorable NHL gaming moment of your career so far?
Actually I have to pick the promotion with Eisbären Lauf Gaming into ECL '23 Spring Pro! After my retirement as Inter Iceland captain I still kept the Pro Qualifier spot. Nobody really believed in us before we started into the season but it makes me proud to see how the team develops and how we manage to win games and gain important points to try to stay in the league. It is an honour to play with such great teammates!

9. Pizza with or without pineapple?
Definitely without. I am an oldschool-guy and always go for pepperoni on my Pizza!

10. High-scoring game or OT drama?
As a Goalie I have to go for OT drama. Those are the games why I'm playing EASHL!

11. Which hockey team do you support in real life?
I am a big fan of the New York Rangers. Back then I always admired Hendrik Lundqvist!

12. Do you have any certain rituals before league games?
I listen to music, try to calm down, relax and think of good moments from earlier seasons in my career!

13. Who is the best player in the ECL and GCL (only-DACH)?
Casper @ICappeI Lundgren & Kevin @Keuschemisch Berg.

14. What kind of holiday is your favorite and why? 
I am a simple man. Mallorca! Good weather, party all night and enjoying some cold beverages.

15. Who would you like to see featured next in “Player Spotlight”?
I would love to see my former teammate Stephan @Krinke Krinke. He has been in the EASHL community since day 1!

Feel free to also suggest who you'd want to see in the Player Spotlight-series. Also, if there are any questions you'd like us to add to the arsenal, let us know!

SportsGamer introduces casual skill-capped NHL 23 and FIFA 23 leagues to run throughout the summer at an easy pace. Join the fun and get a taste of competitive gaming in a supportive environment.

Please note: We've heard the feedback from the community regarding the timing for the Casual Leagues and thus we have extended the period for sign-ups and the new start date for the Casual Leagues is August 20th!

Are you new to esports and looking for a fun way to get started? This summer, SportsGamer will be hosting Casual eHockey (NHL23) and eSoccer (FIFA 23) leagues, running from the end of May to the start of July! SportsGamer Casual League is a new concept, looking to gather like-minded people to have fun together in a casual gaming setting, all while winning cool prizes along the way. 

Action for the Casual Leagues will be kicking off on Sunday, August 20th and while both the eHockey and eSoccer leagues will be running simultaneously, the emphasis is on having fun at a relaxed pace. With that being said, anyone should be able to participate in both leagues schedule-wise.

These leagues are skill capped in order to allow for casual players to enter and have an enjoyable gaming experience. This is a great place to start your competitive gaming career in a supportive environment, so now is the time to sign up for either the Casual eHockey League, Casual eSoccer League, or perhaps both!

Find more info about the Casual eHockey League over at SportsGamer.gg/CeHL
Find more info about the Casual eSoccer League over at SportsGamer.gg/CeSL
 

Details

Casual eHockey League - NHL 23:

• Played in two divisions:
  • New Gen: PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X/S
  • Old Gen: PlayStation 4 & Xbox One
• World of Chel 3v3 (Teams of 2-4 players)
• Entry fee 10€/player (free entry for ECL ‘23 Player License holders)
   

Casual eSoccer League - FIFA 23:

• Played in two divisions:
  • New Gen: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
  • Old Gen: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• FUT (1v1)
• Entry fee 10 €/player (free entry for ECL ‘23 Player License holders)
  
   

Prizes

Both the eHockey and eSoccer league will feature cash prizes for top performers. 

The total prize pool for both leagues is going to be 2 500€ each. This prize pool will be split as follows between the top 4 teams/players:

#1 40%
#2 20 %
#3 10%
#4 10%

The exact prize pool split between the Old Gen (PS4/XB1) and New Gen (PS5/XSX) divisions will be determined based on the number of participating players in each division. 

With weekly matches, a friendly community of players, and a range of skill levels, there's no better way to jump into the world of esports. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for our Casual eHockey or eSoccer League today and start playing!

We're pleased to announce the Madden 23 Academy Tournament, a casual-style Madden 23 tournament for any and all European gamers looking to get familiar with the more competitive side of the game. In cooperation with EA Sports, we're able to provide a low entry barrier by providing participants with game codes, so this is not only a great deal, but an amazing opportunity to start your career in a game that might not be familiar to you from before. 

The Madden 23 Academy Tournament is a one-day single-elimination tournament played in the Online Head to Head game mode of Madden NFL 23 on PlayStation 5. The tournament is open to European residents.

Madden NFL 23 and the all-new FieldSENSE™-system change the foundation of how you play. The newest iteration of the legendary football franchise game gives you more control than ever before all around the field and allows you to make plays you never thought were possible before. Put the ball where only your receiver can catch it, control explosive cuts to lose your coverage, read plays and react better, and showcase your speed on the field for highlight reel plays. 

Now is your chance to pick up your competitive Madden career, whether you are a seasoned vet or a rookie who's never touched the game, it won't get any easier than this to try it out. Together with EA Sports, we're happy to bring great prizes to the table too, as the #1 player will win four general admission tickets to any NFL International Games event of their choice and the #2 player will be winning two tickets. These events are once-in-a-lifetime experiences bringing the NFL show on the road. On top of that, we've also got a bunch of cool NFL-themed surprise prizes for Semi-finalists.

What?
Online Madden NFL 23 Tournament on PlayStation 5 for European Players.

When?
One-day tournament, 29.4.2023

Where?
Sign up here at SportsGamer.GG and find all info over at SportsGamer.GG/madden

PLAY LIKE MAD.

SportsGamer introduces a new community sponsorship program in order to unite hard-working players and teams of all levels with mutually beneficial partnerships.

Since the inception of SportsGamer, besides the obvious objective of creating high-quality leagues and tournaments for our players, one of our main objectives has been growing the community. The way we want to do that is by highlighting the great players and teams that are playing on our platform and giving them an environment and tools needed to succeed.

This is why we are glad to announce that we are launching the SportsGamer Community Sponsorship Program, an application-based program with the purpose of helping players of all skill levels through SportsGamer sponsorship. The objective of the program is to unite hard-working players and teams with partners to form a long-lasting and mutually beneficial partnership, allowing both parties opportunities to grow and develop. The program is intended for all members of our community, but naturally the selection process will be strict and favor players and teams with clear future objectives, good action plans, notable reach and some previous body of work in their rearview as a portfolio. 

The application is open to the entire community and we are looking forward to learning as much as possible about you and your future plans in your application. In order to apply and find out more about the program, head over to sportsgamer.gg/sponsorship.

Applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis by the SportsGamer team and all applicants will receive replies, whether chosen for the program or not. As the program is developed further, we are hoping to be able to increase the amount of sponsored teams and players in the future.

Heimo Esports is the esports section of the floorball club Westend Indians, hailing from Espoo, Finland. The club has been running their esports section since the fall of 2022 and are now entering NHL esports for the first time.

The Esports section for Finnish floorball club Westend Indians have acquired the former roster of JANO Esports, who made an excellent Playoff push back in their rookie season in the European top 16 last season. This will be the first time this organization is seen in the NHL esports scene but the partnership seems to be a great fit, with players in their roster more or less invested in Floorball as a sport outside of their NHL esports careers.

"NHL esports has shown a steady growth throughout the past few years and an interest towards the sport has been there ever since Heimo Esports was founded. I think the greatest aspects of esports, being dynamic team play and individual mechanic ability, are heavily present in NHL esports. Our expectations are high and the team is stronger than ever, we are ready for puck drop. GLHF!" - Samuel "Mäyrä" Lindholm, GM of Heimo Esports

In their inaugural season among the European top 16, the new Heimo Esports roster managed to surprise several doubters by squeaking into the Playoffs as the #8 seed, seeing an impressive season individually by rookie of the season Wade @Wpaanane Paananen and impressively mature team play from the rookie squad. The roster is looking to continue on their great form and haven't made any changes to their lineup in the offseason.

GOALTENDERS
#49 Jani @Vamoux Jämsäläinen (A)
#77 Saku @Mehukatti10 Serttilä

DEFENSEMEN
#4 Markus @Makeaxl Lahti
#11 Saku @Sakkem Saaranluoma

FORWARDS
#15 Otto @xHatsi Hämäläinen
#50 Eemil @Eeemill_ Törnvall (C)
#52 Jim @SadaPoika Leskinen
#97 Wade @Wpaanane Paananen

Team captain Eeemill_ is confident his team can continue their success into the eHSM and the upcoming ECL '23 Spring seasons and also puts emphasis on the fact that their transfer from JANO to Heimo Esports didn't involve any drama.

"Our contract with JANO was up and the opportunity to sign with Heimo Esports presented itself. It was a team decision to make the move in search of fresh new wind for our sails. I'm obviously hoping for success in the upcoming tournaments and I believe we can do even better than in ECL '23 Winter."

SportsGamers,

Based on several community polls and careful deliberation over the course of the past few months, League Administration has decided to enforce a ban on a number of player Abilities in the upcoming eHockey SM, SCL and ECL seasons. The upcoming seasons will serve as pilots for these bans and we will review the situation in the offseason based on feedback received.

Here is the list of abilities that will be banned:

Bans will apply to both Zone (Gold) and Superstar (Silver) abilities listed below.

Big Tipper
Advanced speed, accuracy, and range when deflecting shots.


Close Quarters
Advanced power and accuracy when taking wrist/snap shots in close proximity to the net.


Truculence
Exceptional stability and assist on hits. Greatly increases the chance of knocking over the opponent and sapping their energy.


Unstoppable Force
Exceptional strength with the puck and a greatly increased ability to hold onto the puck when off balance.

These bans will be enforced in the eHockey SM and the SCL, as well as the four highest divisions (Core, Lite, Pro and Elite) of ECL '23 Spring. ECL '23 Spring Neo will have no Ability bans in effect.

If a player is found to have used a banned Ability in competitive games, the first infraction will result in a warning. Two warnings will result in a suspension. 

UPDATE: Based on feedback the penalty for infractions will be revised and released in the rulebooks of each upcoming league. 

What a weekend we've had, and what a turn of events in the World Finals, as the NACL Champions Entourage came to foreign soil and shut down the audience, cleaning house in the process. The North American juggernauts of the scene have remained a tthe top of their game for such a long time, and throughout roster changes in various directions, they've alwys been able to remain competitive. 

The winning roster:
GOALTENDERS
#11 Ivan @IvanDelosh (xDelee) Delosh
#79 Justin @Rampage l79l Horn

DEFENSEMEN
#8 Jeremy @Doughty x i8i Gaynor (A)
#37 Samuel @Time2shineee Germain
#65 Francis @Dumoulin65 Dumoulin

FORWARDS
#27 François-Xavier @BoilyHP Boily
#71 Lucas @hxndry Hendry (C)
#86 Ethan @xDeath (Ethancy) Macdonald
#93 Matthew @gilly Walters (A)

What a fantastic battle, did you guys feel like this was a harder challenge than you expected it to be?
"I really feel like that could have gone either way in any of those games, so for it to end in five for us definitely feels great, so shoutout to Tunnel Vision and GGs!"

So now that the trophy is yours, are you going to take it easy for a while or will you be going back to the office at the start of the week?
"I mean, we came here for a reason and we really only had one job and that job's finished. We got the W like we wanted and from here we'll just keep climbing and hoping for the next one."

Finally, what does it mean to you to be the World Champions?
"I mean, it means the world. To represent NA well and to represent all of NHL esports well. Shoutout to SportsGamer and everyone involved, this was an awesome tournament and I'm really thankful for everyone here."

SportsGamers,

Today is the day we've been waiting for. Finally, the NACL Champions Entourage have got their worthy opponent with the ECL Champions Tunnel Vision. These two monstrous teams will be going at it tonight in a full best-of-seven series to determine once and for all, who is the best NHL 23 team in the world. 

The setting is unlike anything else, because how do you really prepare to play a team that you've never faced before, and whose playstyle is based on an entirely different school of hockey? Thus far, these teams have only been able to watch each other on video, and come puck drop tonight at 18:30 CET, sparks will certainly fly. 

Saturday, February 25th - 18:30 CET/ 12:30PM ET / 9:30AM PT
The NHL 23 World Finals @ Assembly Winter 2023
Entourage  vs Tunnel Vision 

TOP SCORER (Playoffs)
Ethan @xDeath (Ethancy) Macdonald 19 GP, 29+28=57  vs Valtteri @Vattuyy Virtanen 18 GP, 14+8=22

GOALTENDER (Playoffs)
Justin @Rampage l79l Horn 19 GP, 16 W, 83,18 SV%, 1.89 GAA, 3 SO vs Niklas @uhNikke Nieminen 18 GP, 12 W, 87,79 SV%, 1.17 GAA, 7 SO

REGULAR SEASON RECORD
17-0-3 vs 27-0-3

*Stats drawn from both teams campaigns in their respective leagues

We're hoping to see as many as possible of you at the event or showing support for your favorite teams in the chat at Twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG, lots of SportsGamer staff and community personalities will be present in both capacities! Let's enjoy the unique atmosphere of the community coming together and make this an event to remember.

We're in for a historic weekend at Assembly Winter 2023 with two high stakes Finals series, and are very excited for all of you to join us for the action!

On February 25th, NHL esports history will be made, as for the first time ever, a North American team will be going head-to-head with an European team in a competitive live setting. The stakes couldn’t be any higher, since in addition to the inaugural World Finals Championship title, there’s also a hefty 6000 € prize pool on the table. Combined with winnings earned in the continental leagues for each Finalist, that means a total of 14 000€ in winnings shared between the two teams.

“The World Finals have been a dream of ours for several years already and it’s been a great challenge to make this happen. We’re glad to finally make it happen and etch our names into the NHL esports history books.” - Kenneth @Kenu Lehtinen, SportsGamer COO

The NHL 23 World Finals is a historic event in NHL 6v6 esports, and the buildup has been going on throughout the winter. The two teams competing at the big stage consist of the Champions of their respective continental leagues, and while the NACL Champion Entourage have made their way to Finland and are currently plotting their winning strategies, there's still a massive ECL Finals series about to go down on Friday night for Tunnel Vision and Frölunda HC. The winner of the ECL Finals will not only claim the throne as European Champion, but also punch their ticket to Saturday's historic World Finals against the aforementioned Entourage. 

Of course, you will be able to watch all of the action unfold this weekend either live at Assembly Winter 2023 in Helsinki, Finland, or on our stream over at Twitch.tv/SportsGamerGG.
 

Weekend Schedule

Friday, February 24th - 18:30 CET/ 12:30PM ET / 9:30AM PT
The ECL '23 Winter Elite Finals @ Assembly Winter 2023
Frölunda HC  (3) vs Tunnel Vision  (1)

Saturday, February 25th - 18:30 CET/ 12:30PM ET / 9:30AM PT
The NHL 23 World Finals @ Assembly Winter 2023
Entourage  vs TBD
 

We're hoping to see as many as possible of you at the event or showing support for your favorite teams in the chat, lots of SportsGamer staff and community personalities will be present in both capacities! Let's enjoy the unique atmosphere of the community coming together and make this an event to remember.

SportsGamers, the Player Spotlight series is making its return with the objective of showcasing gamers that would perhaps otherwise fall outside normal reporting, but that we want to get to know better. Our strength is this community, so let's get to know each other!

After a longer hiatus, we're now back with another Player Spotlight, and this time we're having a chat with one of the most dominant players in the Lite division this season. Patrik @Winci Wenzel and his team Pirati Chomutov Esports have been tearing up the division with their rapidfire offense and are about to start their Semifinals series against Gunners HC tonight. We're all excited to see how far this team can go!

1. What was your first experience with the EASHL mode in NHL?

I think it was in NHL 19, that was the first time I played the game since NHL 07 on the PSP. I started playing with team HC hybridi and jumped into my first season in ECL Neo.

2. What’s the best part of playing for your current club?

Definitely the fact that we get huge support from the Piráti Chomutov team. Also I can't forget my teammates, I have known several of them for a long time and I am glad that we managed to get together like this again.

3. What is your greatest NHL gaming memory?

So far it would definitely be the season in ECL 11 Lite, where we reached the semi-finals with Grenoble BDL Esport and also the next our first season in ECL Pro, when we managed to reach the playoffs.

4. Describe your perfect breakfast!

I dont have breakfast very often, but when I do my favorite is scrambled eggs with toast and bacon.

5. You're GM for a day and get to pick any player for your 6v6 team but none of your current teammates. Who's in your starting six and why?

I will choose based on who I had the opportunity to play with or against.

@xLeikku- @dzouvi - @Pappen
@Mikax222 - @ripKeisari
@sumskoy26

6. What was your dream job growing up and what do you currently do?

When I was a kid I wanted to be a hockey player, now I work for a company that provides heat and domestic hot water.

7. Do you play or have you played hockey?

I played hockey for 10 years, but I injured my leg for a long time, so i quit.

8. What’s your best hockey memory?

When my hometown team HC VERVA Litvínov won their first title in the Czech Tipsport Extraliga in 2015.

9. What do you like to do in your spare time besides playing NHL?

I also like to play other games like FIFA or F1. I like to watch sports events of any kind and I like to spend some time with my family or friends.

10. Pizza with three toppings, what are your choices?

Pepperoni, ham and mozzarella cheese.

11. You're the locker room DJ and get one song to hype up your team. What do you play?

Kabát - Dole v dole

12. How did you come up with your PSN ID?

My last name is Wenzel, so my friends started calling me Winci. But Winci was already taken as PSN ID, so i just had to add something.

13. Who’s the best player in the ECL according to you?

I think @laitineen64 is really fun to watch.

14. Describe your ideal holiday!

I would like to travel with my dad to USA for match of NHL.

15. Now it's up to you to suggest who we should interview next. Who do you want to hear from and why?

I think @Kumbik would make a great interview.

Feel free to also suggest who you'd want to see in the Player Spotlight-series. Also, if there are any questions you'd like us to add to the arsenal, let us know!

SportsGamer will be attending Assembly Winter 2023 with not one, but two great events this February!

Assembly Winter 2023 will once again be one of the biggest gaming and LAN-events in Finland and while fans around the country will be gearing up to meet some of their favorite streamers and game with their friends, we are looking to bring some international color to the big stage in the form of the ECL '23 Winter Finals and the World Finals on the same weekend! The event will be hosted in the legendary Messukeskus in Helsinki, where some of the greatest teams in European NHL esports have hoisted trophies, such as the IS Cup 3 trophy by FILADELPHIA and the FCL 2019 trophy by HAVU Gaming. Which team will be next up to go for ultimate glory?

Our Finals weekend schedule will consist of a full best-of-seven ECL '23 Winter Elite Finals series on Friday, the 24th of February. On Saturday, the 25th of February, we'll then host the World Finals on the same stage.

While Assembly has already solidified its position as the biggest LAN event in Finland, we are excited about this weekend being the biggest community gathering we've been able to host to date. With that, we've been able to secure a few 4-day tickets to give away to our community and we'll also be able to provide ECL '23 Player License holders with individual discount codes for tickets!

Make sure to participate in our giveaways on Instagram and Twitter for your chance to win a free ticket to the prime NHL 23 6v6 event of the year!

Here are the discounts available to ECL '23 Player License owners:

• 50% discount for single day ticket (normal price from 20€ / discounted 10€)

• 50% discount for four day ticket (includes usage of sleeping area) (normal price from 40€ / discounted 20€)

• 50% discount for four day LAN ticket (BYOC, includes usage of sleeping area) (normal price from 89€ / discounted 44,5€)

In order to receive your discount code, please fill in this form.

We'll send your individual discount code by email in the weeks leading up to the event. More information about Assembly Winter 2023 Festival can be found at the Festival website: https://party.assembly.org/en/winter23.