First Esports Franchise League in PH to Launch Next Year
2019 is going to be a big year for esports in the country. The Nationals is the Philippines’ first-ever esports franchise model league and is set to launch in the first quarter of next year.
The league will feature franchise teams competing in four game titles in different gaming communities namely PC gaming, mobile gaming, console gaming, and a wildcard game. Aside from boosting esports in the country, The Nationals will also serve as the main pool for esports athletes that will represent PH in tournaments approved by the SEA Games, Asian Games, and the Olympics.
The first six organizations that will build teams for the league are TNC Pro Team, HappyFeet Esports, BrenPro Inc., Cignal TV Inc., PLDT and Smart Communications, and STI Education Systems.
The tournament operations and logistical concerns of the Nationals will be handled by Gariath Concepts, which is the organization behind ESGS (Electronic Sports and Gaming Summit).
Games will be broadcast live on ESPN5.
“Esports has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years in both audience and home-grown talent. Our goal has always been to elevate the sport by giving it a platform to reach a wider audience,” said Vincent P. Reyes, President and CEO of TV5.
“We have been pioneers in putting up esports tournaments on free TV, so it makes perfect sense for us to air the first ever franchise-based league in the Philippines,” he added.
“Cignal has always believed in giving the Filipino viewer what it wants, whether it’s a new movie channel, the best sports events or a more immersive news program. Cignal’s move into esports is motivated by the same passion to give people what they’ve been clamoring for. And more than that, we want to take our position and help elevate the play and broadcast of esports to new heights in the country, ” said Jane Basas, CEO of Cignal TV Inc.
To find players for the teams in The Nationals, PLDT Home and Smart Communications will hold a stand-alone tournament in 10 locations across the country in August called The Road to The Nationals.
Elimination matches will be held from August to October. The final 8 teams for each game will duke it out at ESGS (Electronic Sports and Gaming Summit) 2018, which is going to be held on October 26-28 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
According to Newzoo, esports in the Philippines is continuously growing with around 32 million Filipinos classified as gamers.
via TV5