Global financial services company Mastercard, in cooperation with Berlin-based esports organization G2 Esports and Valorant and League of Legends maker Riot Games, announced Thursday the official launch of Mastercard Gamer Academy, a new development program that aims to select 10 participants to receive the “connections, mentorship, and skill sets” needed to pursue esports as a career.
Financial terms of this collaboration were not disclosed.
Launching in early-2024, the Mastercard Gamer Academy promises selected participants all-expense paid trips to major esports events, such as the 2024 League of Legends World Championship and 2024 Valorant Champions (with special backstage access included), as (two) visits to G2 Esports headquarters in Berlin; access to esports professionals, including the G2 Hel, Gozen and G2’s League of Legends and Valorant teams; in-person and virtual sessions with mentors; access to workshops focusing on mental health, resilience and allyship; and access to an educational curriculum covering brand engagement, marketing, content creation, event execution and more.
Those interested in participating can apply until Dec. 17, and must be 21-years-old or older. More details can be found at mastercardgameracademy.com.
On Aug. 21, Riot Games and Mastercard celebrated the fifth anniversary of the financial services company as a global sponsor of League of Legends esports, which followed an announcement in June that they would expand this relationship to include a global sponsorship for Valorant esports.