Guild Esports and Sky Broadband have announced a £50,000 series to encourage women into esports. The winners will also receive a pro contract.

Guild Esports are teaming up with Sky Broadband to launch a new women's gaming tournament series. This first of its kind initiative in the United Kingdom will feature a total prize pot of £50,000 and will see the winning teams offered a professional contract.

The event kicks off on April 26, with the opening 'Racers Series'. The event will then transition to a to be announced soccer game, culminating with a livestreamed finals from the Sky headquarters.

Guild Esports and Sky Broadband hoping to promote diversity

With this new series, Guild Esports and Sky Broadband are hoping to improve diversity and inclusion in the gaming world. This event is the first to offer professional contracts and cash prizes to the winners.

According to research, even though women make up 47% of all gamers, just 5% of esports professionals are women. Additional  research by Bryter revealed over half (56%) of women feel that there is a great lack of women gamers in esports. Similarly 54% agree that the gaming community isn’t doing enough to encourage women gamers.

Photo: Matt Alexander/PA Media Assignments
Photo: Matt Alexander/PA Media Assignments

The goal of this tournament series is to create longer term opportunities for women gamers. Winners, As part of their esports pro contracts, will also receive bootcamp training, access to top-class facilities and experts including nutritionists to help them keep at the top of their game.

This will allow the winners to go all in on launching their esports careers.

How does the event work?

The Guild Esports and Sky Broadband Women’s gaming tournament series will have three stages.

  • Racers Eseries - Running from April 26 to May 19, competitors will compete in a SIM racing-based competition. Ten competitors will advance to the Women's Esports Finals.
  • Soccer Eseries - With more details to be announced later this year, this esports football tournament will see four teams advance to the Women's Esports Finals.
  • Womens Esports Finals - The events finals will be hosted and streamed live from Sky headquarters.

How can I take part?

If you want to take part in this series, you can find more information here. In order to be eligible, you must be a UK resident and over the age of 18.

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