The union representing France’s premier esports organisations, UFCEP, has publicly laid out its strategic vision and issued a direct call for legislative action, marking a significant step in the professionalisation of the national industry.
The Union Française des Clubs d’Esport Professionnels (UFCEP), an association founded by twelve of the country’s top clubs including Team Vitality, Karmine Corp, and Gentle Mates, has published its foundational roadmap. The document positions the body as the “single window” for representing collective club interests to game publishers, public authorities, and economic partners.
The UFCEP’s formation signals a move from fragmented advocacy to collective action. “If we are rivals online, we defend today, together, the interests of a sector in full structuring,” the manifesto states translated from French. The founding clubs, claiming over 110 cumulative titles and nearly 8 million fans, assert a “natural legitimacy” to shape the ecosystem’s future.
The union’s governance will be led by an elected committee, with Nicolas Maurer, CEO of Team Vitality, serving as its inaugural President. The model is intentionally inclusive, open to any professional French club that adheres to its ethical charter.
The UFCEP’s action plan rests on three core pillars: positioning France as a global esports hub; creating a stable, fair environment for club development; and promoting a safe, respectful, and accessible competitive environment.
Immediately, this strategy has translated into political advocacy. The union has explicitly endorsed the cross-party legislative proposal, numbered 2106 and titled “for a responsible and attractive esport.” The UFCEP’s announcement called for the bill’s examination “so that our sector finally has an adapted, recognised framework.”
A direct alignment can be seen between the union’s pillars and the law’s articles:
Pillar 1 (Global Hub) is supported by Article 1, which seeks to codify a ‘Talent Passport’ visa for foreign pro players and coaches, aiding clubs in attracting international talent. Pillar 2 (Stable Environment) correlates with Articles 5 and 7. Article 5 aims to replace an outdated 2016 player contract with a new model to provide legal security, while Article 7 would create official training centres and a ‘high-level player’ status for educational and professional support.
Pillar 3 (Respectful Sport) connects to Articles 2 and 4, which mandate integrity checks for coaches and establish security rules and banning orders for live events to ensure safety and inclusion. The legislation also addresses operational hurdles, such as Article 3, which would authorise paid-entry online tournaments—a practice currently prohibited.
Context of a Leading Ecosystem
The push for structure comes as French esports asserts its European prominence. The UFCEP roadmap cites an audience of 6 million spectators in France and estimates the professional club sector will generate €60 million in revenue in 2025. Despite this, the document notes significant room for progress, particularly on gender parity, with women comprising only 29% of club staff.
Recent years have seen France attract top-tier events including the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, stages of the League of Legends World Championship, and the VALORANT Champions 2025. BLAST has also selected Paris La Défense Arena for the Rocket League Major in 2026 and the Adidas Arena for the Rainbow Six Invitational 2026. Lyon’s LDLC Arena hosted both the Fortnite Global Championship and the Rocket League RLCS 2025 World Championship in 2025.
This momentum is also reflected in competitive results. French esports has had considerable success recently, exemplified by Team Vitality’s recent Counter-Strike 2 season, which included winning the BLAST.tv Major Austin and the ESL Pro League Season 22 in 2025.
This analysis of a uniquely French synergy is echoed by industry leaders. Team Vitality’s Nicolas Maurer, now UFCEP’s President, told The Esports Radar in an interview in June 2025 that “a powerful mix of cultural pride, passionate local communities, and ambitious leadership from top-tier organisations” is creating a dynamic ecosystem where “performance and storytelling go hand in hand.”
At the interview, Maurer acknowledges that “the French government has played a more meaningful role in shaping a stable and visible esports ecosystem.” However, he emphasises that the core success stems from the industry itself: “We’ve been building a professional model that combines French excellence with international ambition.” To address what he describes as an ecosystem that is still “under-structured,” Maurer and other club leaders spearheaded the creation of the UFCEP.
By uniting, the UFCEP aims to transition the industry from passion-driven projects to a professionally regulated sector. “We are aware that the challenges are numerous, and that no lasting change will happen in a day,” the roadmap concludes, framing the union as a catalyst for long-term progress. The group’s first major test of influence will be the fate of the legislative proposal it has now firmly backed.
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