Mastercard partners with G2 Esports, Riot Games to empower aspiring esports athletes with Mastercard Academy
Mastercard Academy aims to transform the landscape of esports and gaming and open opportunities for diversity in the industry.
Despite the vast gaming community's diversity, many individuals face challenges breaking into professional roles.
With more gamers over the age of 45 than under 18 and women constituting nearly 50% of the gaming population, the gaming industry faces a staggering imbalance of opportunity.
Mastercard recognizes the need to address this gap in the professional gaming and esports ecosystem. As the gaming industry looks toward the next generation of gamers, the Mastercard Gamer Academy emerges as a pioneering solution, providing a platform for individuals to pursue their passion for gaming as a career.
Acknowledging the significant work needed to achieve greater inclusion in gaming and esports, Mastercard draws inspiration from strides made in traditional sports like soccer, tennis, and rugby to make moves for the gaming space.
In a significant move reshaping the landscape of esports, Mastercard has partnered with global esports organisation G2 Esports and Riot Games — the developer of popular games like League of Legends, VALORANT, Wild Rift, Teamfight Tactics, and more — to announce the initiation of submissions for the Mastercard Gamer Academy.
This program is poised to provide 10 gamers with unprecedented access to the esports world while actively contributing to fostering a more inclusive future for this rapidly evolving sport.
Beyond individual growth, the program seeks to contribute to a more inclusive gaming ecosystem, acknowledging the diverse and dynamic community that comprises over 3 billion self-identified gamers globally.
“As a global sponsor of some of the biggest, fastest-growing esports, we’ve seen firsthand the incredible passion gaming evokes among players and fans alike,” said Raja Rajamannar, Mastercard’s chief marketing and communications officer, in a press release.
"With the Mastercard Gamer Academy, we celebrate the incredible growth of esports—and we are proud to invest in gaming’s dynamic and diverse future.”
Unprecedented Access: The Mastercard Gamer Academy Experience
Scheduled to kick off in early 2024, the Mastercard Gamer Academy offers a transformative experience to its participants.
This includes all-expense-paid trips to major esports events, exclusive access to the League of Legends World Championship and VALORANT Champions in 2024, and behind-the-scenes visits to the G2 Esports headquarters in Berlin.
Participants will engage directly with seasoned esports professionals, attend in-person, and digital sessions with notable mentors, and delve into a comprehensive educational curriculum covering various aspects of the gaming industry.
Curriculum highlights will be shared through a series of episodes, offering fans insights into the diverse opportunities within gaming and esports. Mastercard cardholders will enjoy early viewing access on Priceless.com.
G2 Empowering Women in Esports
Powering the Mastercard Gamer Academy is G2 Esports, a premier global esports organization at the forefront of championing women's representation in the industry.
With four women's rosters across VALORANT, League of Legends, and other leading games, G2 Esports emphasizes community strength and support for all gamers.
Romain Bigeard, General Manager of League of Legends at G2 Esports, describes the Academy as an extension of the esports community, designed to cover all aspects of esports and highlight different career paths within the industry.
Mastercard's history of pioneering in gaming and esports dates back to 2018, when it became the first global partner of League of Legends.
Earlier this year, the brand extended its esports sponsorship to include the fastest-growing and most diverse esport, Valorant Champions Tour, and VCT Game Changers.
The call for applications is open to individuals aged 21 and above worldwide, with a submission deadline of December 17, 2023.
Interested participants can apply on the Mastercard Gamer Academy website. The program is set to launch in 2024, promising a transformative experience for aspiring gamers.
Anna is a freelance writer and photographer. She is a gamer who loves RPGs and platformers, and is a League of Legends geek. She's also a food enthusiast who loves a good cup of black coffee.
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