Financial services company Mastercard has launched the Mastercard Gamer Academy, in collaboration with European esports organisation G2 Esports and game developer Riot Games.
The Mastercard Gamer Academy is a development programme that aims to provide connections, skills and mentorship to a select group of esports and gaming enthusiasts.
The new project is open to anyone over 21 years of age, regardless of geographical location, and will consist of several major benefits and opportunities.
In total, 10 players will be selected to be a part of the academy. Some of the academy’s benefits include all-expense paid trips to League of Legends Worlds 2024 and VALORANT Champions and access to G2’s headquarters. Moreover, the participants will be provided with mentored sessions and an educational curriculum.
According to the announcement, the Mastercard Gamer Academy will be powered by G2 Esports, one of MasterCard’s commercial esports partners. As such, G2 is set to provide Academy participants with networking opportunities and first-person experience in all segments of the esports industry.
Romain Bigeard, G2 Esports’ General Manager of League of Legends, highlighted that the organisation’s goal is to create a clear pathway to a career in esports, and that the participants can expect to learn from some of the most talented people in the industry.
Raja Rajamannar, Mastercard’s chief marketing and communications officer, added: “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. 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.”
Mastercard is a long-time sponsor in the esports industry. The company, known for its range of payment services and debit cards, has worked closely with Riot Games since 2018 as the first global partner of League of Legends esports.
Alongside being the global partner of Riot Games for League of Legends, the financial services company recently expanded its support to VALORANT as well. In addition, it has worked with other esports brands and stakeholders including the Saudi Esports Federation and FlyQuest.
