Global Esports Industry Week (GEIW), organised by The Esports Radar and the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC), with ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) serving as Host Partner, is taking place across 18–21 June 2026 in Cologne, Germany, alongside the iconic Counter-Strike tournament IEM Cologne.
Runestone, the esports data and integrity infrastructure provider, has been announced as Title Partner of Global Esports Industry Week 2026. The partnership highlights Runestone’s growing role as a trusted data partner for publishers and tournament organisers, enabling new revenue opportunities while protecting the integrity of competitive play.
Runestone provides end-to-end infrastructure for real-time data collection and distribution, advanced integrity monitoring, and enhanced fan engagement through data-driven experiences. Following a year of rapid growth, supporting more than 60 global events and analysing over 10,000 maps in 2025, the company is set to scale significantly in 2026, more than doubling covered events. Recent milestones include its appointment as Official Data Partner for PGL’s Cluj-Napoca 2026 event, alongside partnerships with StarLadder and the Roman Imperium Cup.
Shane Clarke, Runestone Managing Director, stated: ““Runestone’s mission is to strengthen the foundations of esports by making official data more secure, more accessible, and more valuable for the entire ecosystem. From grassroots competitions to the biggest international events, we’re focused on helping organisers protect competitive integrity, unlock new commercial opportunities, and deliver richer experiences for fans. Becoming Title Partner of Global Esports Industry Week 2026 is an important milestone for us. It reflects the momentum we’ve built over the past year and our growing role in supporting the industry at scale.
Sam Cooke, CEO of The Insights Group (The Esports Radar), said:“We’re delighted to be working with Runestone, who’ve been ramping up activity in regards to key and targeted rightsholder partnerships in esports, and more broadly scaling the business since their launch last year. There’s a lot more to come and we’re excited to have them on board with us for Global Esports Industry Week this year.”
Amongst the attendees gathering at the Global Esports Industry Week 2026 include the likes of ESL FACEIT Group, the Esports World Cup Foundation, ENorth Media, MOONTON, NODWIN, StarLadder, Corsair, BLAST, ESBD, MSI, HEROIC, World Intellectual Property Organisation, AOC, NES (Nesma Esports), Riot Games, Overactive Media, FURIA, Fusion Esports Group, Video Games Europe, with many more to be announced.
The GEIW 2026 Programme
GEIW 2026 will feature a range of events across 18th-21st June;
- IMPACT Live – Conference & Expo featuring;
- ESIC Global Esports Summit 2026
- The go-to esports business event addressing and discussing all facets of the global sector, bringing everyone in and around the space together in one place.
- IMPACT Live – Game Dev Summit
- A chance for game developers of all sizes to discuss and showcase their games to both industry and fans, with a key focus on competitive PvP titles across platforms.
- IMPACT Live – Edu Summit
- Where gaming and education meet. As big believers in the potential of play in education, from curricular to extracurricular, from school through to Higher Education, and covering everything from gametech, to esports, game development, to digitisation of sport, hardware, software, and more, this is for those active and interested in this area; educator, edu sector operator, leader or student.
- ESIC Global Esports Summit 2026
- Esports Leaders Cologne
- A half-day edition of Esports Leaders; the gathering for leaders in and around esports in a premium setting focused on real conversation and with excellent
- IGET Expert Workshop
- The annual gathering of the International Games and Esports Tribunal (IGET) addressing key topics related to esports, and gaming, legal matters.
- Esports Leaders Honours
- The inaugural edition of The Esports Radar’s annual Esports Leaders Honours’ List, a curated selection of the people, organisations, and projects that helped to define the year in esports and that deserve recognition. This is a nod to excellence, innovation and going above and beyond across six key areas, chosen through our lens as industry observers. The award winners will be officially revealed and celebrated in front of industry peers on Friday 19th June eve.
- Padel Gaming Club
- Tournaments and socials previously hosted in London, Austin and Riyadh, this year PGC comes to Cologne with an industry tournament and social. Limited spaces so apply ASAP!
- IEM Cologne Major 2026
- GEIW will culminate in the finals of the legendary event at the cathedral of CounterStrike; the Lanxess Arena. Take in the action from the GEIW VIP Lounge.
Partners
GEIW 2026 is supported by a growing network of industry partners, reflecting the collaborative spirit of the event. Confirmed partners include:
- Runestone – Title Partner
- ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) – Host Partner
- ENorth Media – Supporting Partner
- ESBD – Strategic Partner
- yellow house – Strategic Partner
- World Intellectual Property Organisation: Arbitration and Mediation Centre – Strategic Partner
- International Games and Esports Tribunal – Strategic Partner
More Information
For more information on GEIW 2026, including registration and programme updates, visit globalesportsweek.com and follow GEIW on LinkedIn here. You can also follow industry news platform The Esports Radar via the site here and on socials via TER LinkedIn and TER X.
Early Bird Tickets are live now until 30th March with a discount of 20%.
Disclaimer: The Global Esports Industry Week is an initiative with participation of The Esports Radar, part of The Insights Group.
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