Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has announced a partnership with Hull-based esports and sports hub Federation of Sport.
The deal between the Belgium shot-stopper and the facility marks the first UK-based venture for Courtois. However, the player has previously invested in the esports industry.
Federation of Sport, located in Hull’s Old Town, includes dedicated gaming booths containing Xbox and PlayStation consoles in addition to state-of-the-art sim racing rigs providing virtual single-seater and GT experiences.
In addition to its gaming offerings, the facility also includes an indoor golf simulator and interactive darts experiences.
“As someone who’s passionate about sim sports and esports, I see this as an opportunity to inspire young people to connect, compete, and collaborate in a positive environment,” Courtois told the Hull Daily Mail.
“It’s about getting them out of their rooms and into a space where they can share their love for gaming with others.”
While the collaboration is Courtois’ first partnership based in the UK, the goalkeeper is no stranger to the esports industry. In November 2024, he launched TC Esports, an esports organisation currently fielding sim racing drivers.
Alongside its virtual motorsport efforts, the organisation also competes in the Prodigy Racing League, a series aiming to provide sim racing drivers an opportunity to embark on a career in real-life racing.
Is Sim Racing The Next Big Esport?
After exploding in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the popularity of sim racing and the stakeholders getting involved show no signs of slowing down.
In addition to Courtois, the likes of four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen and his team, Oracle Red Bull Racing, often participate in various championships and initiatives.
Sim racing will also feature at the 2025 Esports World Cup with RENNSPORT R1 hosting a tournament as part of the multi-title event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
