The Global Esports Federation (GEF) is a non-governmental organization that convenes the world's esports (or competitive video gaming) community. It was established on December 16, 2019, and is headquartered in Singapore,[1] where it is a registered society under the Singapore Registry of Societies.
The GEF consists of 187 Member Federations and four continental Esports Development Federations (Africa, Europe, Oceania and Pan Am).[2] As of January 2024, there are 11 Commissions and two Councils that guide the work of the federation. The first and current President of the GEF is Chris Chan of Singapore.[3] The CEO is Paul J. Foster.[4]
The organization's flagship event is the annual Global Esports Games (GEG), held since 2021. The GEG is a multi-title esports competition featuring athletes from Member Federations that takes place in December every year.[5] The GEF also organizes the Global Esports Tour (GET) and supports its Member Federations in hosting local esports competitions and regional qualifying events.
The GEF is part of the Esports Leadership Group that is chaired by International Olympic Committee Vice President Ser Miang Ng, as well as Chris Chan, President of the Global Esports Federation, and HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, President of the International Esports Federation.[6]
History
The GEF was launched on December 16, 2019 with Chris Chan appointed as its first President.[3] The Board currently consists of a president, five vice-presidents, and 15 board members. The GEF appointed its first Chief Executive Officer, Paul J. Foster, in March 2021.[7] Chris Chan was re-elected as President of GEF in 2023 for a second four-year term.[8]
The GEF organizes two main events: the Global Esports Games (GEG) and the Global Esports Tour (GET). The inaugural Global Esports Games were staged in Singapore in December 2021, followed by the second edition in Istanbul, Turkey in 2022 and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2023.[9] The first season of the Global Esports Tour was staged in 2021, beginning in Los Angeles in September.[10] Both the GEG and GET are held on an annual basis.
As of July 2024, there are 173 Member Federations in the GEF.
Development Federations
In September 2021, the GEF announced the creation of two Esports Development Federations:[11] the Africa Esports Development Federation and the Pan Am Esports Development Federation.
In 2023, the Oceania and Europe Esports Development Federations were formed to continue the support of sustainable development of esports communities throughout the world.[12]
Events
Global Esports Games
The Global Esports Games (GEG) is a multi-title esports competition featuring athletes from Member Federations that takes place in December every year.
In May 2021, the GEF announced the host cities for the first three editions of the GEG. The inaugural GEG took place in Singapore in 2021, followed by Istanbul in 2022 and Riyadh in 2023.[13] The 2023 edition was the largest held to date, with 950 athletes competing from more than 100 countries.[5]
Bernardo David Rocca Alarcon (BernaBerna), Isaac Antonio Zavaleta Lopez (Drakell), Sebastian Axel Cerralta Velarde (Roboz), Joel Eduardo Mori Ozambela (KIM), Julian Esnaider Carbajal Ylave (FLAPJACK), Diego Fernando Perochena Salvatierra (xephondp)
The Global Esports Tour (GET) is a series of tournaments for professional esports athletes and teams.
In September 2021, the GEF announced the first series of the GET, with each stage showcasing a different esports title.[18] The first edition of the GET had a total prize pool of US$500,000.[19]
In 2022, the second season of the GET was held over two stages in the cities of Dubai and Riyadh. Dubai staged a CS:GO tournament from June 10–11. Riyadh held a Street Fighter V - Champion Edition tournament from July 25–27 during the annual Gamers8 festival.
In 2023, the third season of the GET was staged in Riyadh from August 26–27 during Gamers8 festival. Participating pro athletes competed for a US$50,000 prize pool in eFootball 2023.
In 2024, Season 4 of the Global Esports Tour takes place across 10 cities, beginning in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with a Counter-Strike 2 tournament from April 18–21. The tour will continue in Ningbo, China in May, followed by Baku, Azerbaijan in June, Manila, Philippines in July and Kuching, Malaysia in September. The titles of each competition and other cities on the 2024 tour are yet to be announced.[20]
