American Express Global Business Travel has become the travel and events sponsor of British Esports under a multi-year partnership.
Infrastructure Scales to Support British Arena and 2027 Calendar
- Infrastructure Scaling: Direct support aligns with the newly opened British Arena in Sunderland and expanding 2027 calendar.
American Express Global Business Travel Sponsors British Esports
The partnership designates American Express Global Business Travel as the travel and events sponsor for British Esports. The agreement covers travel management, travel agency, and event agency services for the sector.
Both organisations will build travel offers and packages for players, teams, and associated businesses. They will also explore academy programmes, new event concepts, and intellectual property.
The arrangement follows the opening of the British Arena in Sunderland. Comprising 15,000 sq ft of multi-purpose space, the venue houses a main stage theatre accommodating 200 seated or 400 standing guests, alongside a 17m LED screen, broadcast studios, 5G connectivity, and an outdoor activation zone measuring 550 sq m.
British Esports is expanding its team ahead of a busy 2027 calendar. Upcoming fixtures include the Esports Nations Cup, the International Defence Esports Games, and DreamHack Birmingham.
Travel Operations Support International Teams and Domestic Events
Travel operations form an increasing share of the sector’s overhead as Great Britain teams compete in international tournaments. Visiting rosters regularly train and compete at British Esports facilities in Sunderland, including the National Esports Performance Campus.
Major domestic esports events take place at large venues such as The O2 in London and the NEC in Birmingham. Economic impact figures show that the 2024 League of Legends World Championship Final held at The O2 generated upwards of £12m.
Founded in 2016, British Esports operates as the national body for esports in the UK and acts as a founding member of the International Olympic Committee’s Esports and Gaming Liaison Group.
“We’re excited to be partnering with a leading name in business travel to strengthen our approach to travel and events together,” said Chester King, President of British Esports. “This partnership is particularly exciting because it gives us the chance to build better travel and event experiences for our players and partners,” King said.
“By offering workshops, events, academy programmes and an array of travel solutions with Amex GBT, we can help elevate these areas and offer greater opportunities to the industry,” King added. “With our British Arena ready to open and more major events going from strength to strength, we look forward to expanding in this area in the future.”
“Esports is an exciting, vibrant sporting sector that brings together teams, players and brands at fantastic events for their growing community,” said Gerardo Tejado Donde, Senior VP, Professional Services at Amex GBT.
“Partnering with British Esports means we can work alongside the people who know esports best and use those insights to build bespoke travel and event experiences around how this community moves, from tournament weekends to industry gatherings,” Donde said.
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