Today marks a historic moment for the global esports industry with the creation of the French Union of Professional Esports Clubs (UFCEP). The new association will unite France’s leading esports clubs, including Team Vitality, Karmine Corp, Gentle Mates, and Solary, to collectively represent the esports ecosystem and its passionate fanbase. The UFCEP will play a crucial role in shaping future decisions made by government bodies, tournament organizers, and publishers, ensuring the continued growth and success of esports in France and beyond.
The UFCEP’s initiative is part of a bigger strategy aimed at building a stronger, more credible and sustainable global esports ecosystem. A unique opportunity to strengthen France’s position as a key player in the global esports industry and create a new union to represent and support its various stakeholders, especially with many key deadlines fast approaching in 2025, including the VALORANT Champions and the Rocket League Worlds esports tournaments
A new union to represent France and the esports ecosystem
The UFCEP builds upon years of collaboration among France’s top esports clubs, having collectively worked together to evolve and grow the global esports industry. With a mission to increase the visibility and credibility of esports worldwide, the union is dedicated to representing the interests of both the clubs and their passionate fanbase. Its goal is to elevate the global esports landscape by fostering positive change on both the international and local levels.
By representing all French esports clubs and their millions of fans, the UFCEP is creating one strong voice that the teams and clubs can identify with. The UFCEP will also represent the needs of the esports ecosystem, including fans, clubs and players, any decisions made by tournament organizers and game publishers and manage any issues with government bodies.
Aligned with the global esports landscape, the UFCEP is committed to promoting an open and inclusive model, allowing any club that meets the eligibility criteria to automatically join the union. This approach guarantees representation for all professional esports clubs, embracing their diversity while uniting them within a structured and cohesive ecosystem.
The elected members of the Steering Committee will be responsible for representing the interests of the UFCEP and serving as key communicators with various stakeholders, including tournament organizers, publishers, government, parliamentarians, and economic and institutional decision-makers. A designated representative will ensure a supportive framework that promotes the long-term sustainability of the esports ecosystem, safeguarding the interests of its brands, fans, and players.
Protecting the sustainability and structure of the esports industry
Comprising internationally recognized esports organisations, the UFCEP represents a diverse range of popular esports titles, including League of Legends, Rocket League, VALORANT and Counter-Strike. These French clubs also boast a roster of exceptionally talented professional gamers, including Mathieu “zywOo” Herbaut, Caliste “Caliste” Henry-Hennebert, Jeremy “Eika” Valdenaire, and Luna “Lilith” Benzerara-Arnoux. Home to many esports superstars, France has an incredible ability to create and nurture talent, a strength that must be protected and built on to develop and propel the global esports industry into the next generation.
The participating esports clubs are already deeply committed to fostering a healthy and sustainable ecosystem. However, to elevate these efforts further, a robust framework must be created, coupled with comprehensive support for players throughout their careers. This involves developing personalised training programs that empower players to continue their education alongside their professional esports careers. Additionally, dedicated training courses, such as esports focused studies and specialised skills development, are crucial to nurturing player growth. This enhanced support system will unlock greater post-career opportunities for young talent, ensuring long-term success both on and off the screen.
Equally vital is addressing the challenges players face in their professional journeys. This begins with the creation of a streamlined legal framework that facilitates visa processing during transfer periods and prioritises the protection of players’ mental well-being. Combating the pervasive threat of cyberbullying, a significant concern for many young esports and sports athletes alike, must remain a top priority.
These measures are crucial, not only for safeguarding players but also for strengthening France’s position as an emerging global esports hub. With a rising number of French players exerting significant economic influence and an increasing influx of major international tournaments being held in the country, ensuring their well-being and development is fundamental to sustaining this momentum.
France, an esports nation, fuelled by its passionate young fanbase
The UFCEP stands firm in its commitment to the core values that define esports and unite its players: performance, inclusion, and passion. These organizations play a pivotal role in shaping French youth culture, captivating over 7 million fans, predominantly between the ages of 18 and 34. Through their active participation in major international competitions, they continue to expand their influence and elevate France’s standing on the global esports stage.
As the global esports audience experiences significant growth, reaching 544 million fans in 2024, France has emerged as a key destination for hosting major international events. Paris has been chosen multiple times by Riot Games, the publisher of League of Legends, to host the highly coveted World Championship Finals. In 2023, the region made history by hosting the inaugural Counter-Strike Major, an event of Grand Slam caliber in the esports world.
Looking ahead, 2025 is poised to be an equally prestigious year for the esports ecosystem. The UFCEP’s member clubs will be at the forefront of a calendar brimming with high-profile tournaments, including the VALORANT Champions (equivalent to World Championships), the Rocket League Worlds, the Evolution Championship Series, the 2025 Fortnite Global Championship and the TFT Open Qualifier.
These events provide a unique opportunity for the UFCEP to collaborate closely with governing bodies, tournament organizers, and publishers to create unforgettable experiences for fans, athletes, clubs and players alike. With an unwavering focus on advancing France’s position as a global esports powerhouse, the UFCEP is poised to continue driving positive change and shaping the future of esports on the world stage.
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