ESL, the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC), and the esports news outlet The Esports Radar have collaboratively organized the Global Esports Industry Week, which will be held in Cologne, Germany.
Scheduled from June 18th through 21st, coinciding with the IEM Cologne Major, this gathering aims to unite key players within the sector for networking and evaluating the current landscape of the esports industry.
A press statement indicates that the Global Esports Industry Week will present various workshops, discussion panels, and assemblies, expanding upon its initial 2025 event. Participants will include delegates from the Esports World Cup Foundation, MOONTON Games, HEROIC, and event organizer BLAST.
This professional gathering will additionally host the ESIC Global Esports Summit, a conference dedicated to the commercial aspects of esports and the sector’s long-term viability. For the year 2026, this summit has become a part of the broader event agenda.
“Upholding integrity, sound governance, and enduring sustainability continue to be paramount concerns for esports,” stated Stephen Hanna, the CEO of ESIC. “By incorporating both the ESIC Global Esports Summit and the IGET Expert Workshop into the Global Esports Industry Week once more, we are establishing a more robust, cohesive venue for constructive conversations and initiatives.”
Notable features of the event encompass the Edu Summit, a discussion forum addressing the expansion of esports and its incorporation into global educational frameworks. Additionally, the Esports Leaders Honours List will commend individuals and initiatives that have made significant impacts in the industry over the past year.
Long-term Stability in Esports
The subject of enduring viability within esports persists as a crucial topic for deliberation, given that key participants aim to guarantee the sector’s sustained expansion. As event organizers persist in providing substantial prize funds and inducements for their prominent tournaments, fostering consistent development throughout the entire industry is essential.
Inaugurated in 2025 by The Insights Group, established by Sam Cooke, previously the Managing Director and Founder of Esports Insider, this gathering consistently offers a venue for industry participants to deliberate on the sector and cultivate avenues for cooperative ventures.
This article details ESL, ESIC, and Esports Radar’s organization of Global Esports Industry Week concurrently with IEM Cologne.
