Starting today, gaming and esports fans around the world are invited to register for the Mastercard Gamer Academy. This is the first program developed by Mastercard, which will provide 10 participants with connections, expert mentoring, and the necessary skills to pursue their passion for esports professionally while encouraging a more inclusive gaming ecosystem.
Currently, there are over 3 billion gamers worldwide. They attract fans of all ages, genders, and nationalities. In fact, the number of gamers over 45 years old exceeds those under 18. Among them, women make up nearly 50% of all players. However, despite these numbers, many still face challenges in pursuing a path to becoming professional gamers.
Mr. Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of Mastercard shared: “As a global sponsor of some of the largest and fastest-growing esports events, we have witnessed the incredible passion that esports ignites in every player and fan. The Mastercard Gamer Academy was created to honor the continuous growth of esports, and Mastercard is proud to invest in the diverse and vibrant future of gaming.”
The Mastercard Gamer Academy will kick off in early 2024, offering participants the following benefits:
Participation in major esports events with all expenses covered, including backstage access at the 2024 League of Legends World Championship and the 2024 Valorant Champions tournament, as well as a tour of G2 Esports headquarters in Berlin. Access to experienced esports professionals, including G2 Hel, Gozen, and the male League of Legends and Valorant teams. Live and online interactions with renowned mentors, featuring select workshops on mental health, resilience, and teamwork. A comprehensive educational program covering brand promotion, marketing, content creation, event management, and much more.
Highlights of the program will be filmed into episodes for fans to enjoy and learn more about opportunities in the gaming and esports field. Mastercard cardholders will have exclusive preview access on the Priceless.com platform.
The academy is supported by G2 Esports – the world’s leading esports organization, representing women’s teams in the industry, with four female teams competing in VALORANT, League of Legends, and other top games.
“Our strength in esports lies in the community and how we come together for the love of the game. The Mastercard Gamer Academy is an extension of that community, bringing people together in a unique program,” Mr. Romain Bigeard, Director of League of Legends Management at G2 Esports stated. “The academy is designed to cover all areas of esports, showcasing different career paths in the industry. We want to provide participants, as well as viewers at home, the opportunity to gain experience and learn from the most talented and respected individuals in the field. Our goal is to create a clear career pathway in esports, inspiring and encouraging those seeking career opportunities.”
Mastercard is a pioneering brand in gaming and esports, the first global partner of League of Legends – the largest esports sport in the world since 2018. Earlier this year, the company expanded its sponsorship to the Valorant Champions Tour — the fastest-growing and most diverse esports sport in the world, and the VCT Game Changers tournament series.
Interested applicants can submit their applications online on the Mastercard Gamer Academy website along with a video showcasing their passion for gaming and esports. The deadline for submissions is December 17, 2023. The program is open to everyone worldwide aged 21 and over. Not applicable in prohibited areas and has certain restrictions. See the official program terms and application process at mastercard.com/gameracademy. Official sponsor: G Esports Holding GmbH.