« Back to News

ESPORTS BAR Announces highlights of packed 2021 programme

Esports BAR Cannes, 13-15 OCTOBER 2021 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH INFRONT X & GRID

London, 29 July 2021 - Esports BAR, the world’s esports business arena, today announces highlights of its 2021 programme, the return of the physical event to its home in Cannes, 13-15 October 2021

The 9th edition of the Esports BAR series, which gathers the whole esports community in one place to discuss the future of the industry, will take place this October in Cannes, eponymous with events bringing the entertainment business together. After a challenging and unforeseen period of adaptation for the industry, the event comes at a time of hope and a moment of continuing growth for the sector.

Esports BAR Director, Arnaud Verlhac says, “We are so looking forward to hosting the esports community at our first face-to-face event in what feels like a long time. We know that the industry has been missing the opportunity to get together in person to meet new contacts, share insights and do great business, so we’re excited to be able to bring people together safely for a productive and fun event. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Cannes!

In addition to its regular content pillars of Monetisation, Innovation, Audiences and Investment, this year’s event will also explore the concept of Society within esports. Esports BAR Head of Content, Debora Atala, explains, “The 2021 programme includes sessions taking a mindful look at community, humanity and education in esports. By hosting in-depth discussions around topics like, “humanising” gaming and esports, we hope to encourage dialogue amongst those who work in and run the world of esports about the human community behind the screen and the sense of inclusion and identity that comes from being part of that community. Connecting with these areas will only help to engage the gen z audience further in esports as it becomes more a part of mainstream on-screen entertainment.

Who Attends Esports BAR?

The whole esports ecosystem takes part in Esports BAR Cannes. Delegates, speakers and sponsors will represent all corners of the industry, from games publishers and developers, to teams and leagues, consumer brands, VCs and investors, broadcast and media to service providers.

Esports BAR Cannes 2021 Programme Highlights

Wednesday, 13 October

15.45 - 16.15 CET

FIRESIDE CHAT: How Are Esports Teams Diversifying Their Assets to Become Lifestyle Brands?

Speaker: Michelle Tierney, Director of Commercial Partnerships, Guild Esports


17.00 - 17.45 CET

PANEL: Viewership Trends 2021 & What To Expect for 2022

Speakers: Ivan Danishevsky, Founder, Esports Charts

Leo De Biase, Esports Pioneer, CEO & Founder, BBL

Maria Carmen Fernández Tallon, Innovation & New Business Manager, Media Pro Group

Stefan Zant, MD, Seven.One Sports


Thursday, 14 October

09.00 - 09.45 CET

FIRESIDE CHAT: Mobile Esports: Opportunities & challenges

Speakers: Jin Ho James Yang, Global Esports Center Director, Tencent Games

Leo De Biase, Esports Pioneer, Founder & CEO, BBL


15:00 - 15:30 CET

SCREENING & PANEL: Humanising Gaming & Esports

Speakers: Alvaro Alvarez, Documentary Filmmaker, BBC

Nick Jekyll, Creative Director, Paradise London


15.45 - 16.15 CET

PANEL: Mental Health

Speakers: François Singer, Purpose & Impact Partnerships Manager, Sport17

Jerome Coupez, Founder & CEO, Prodigy

Lindsey Migliore, Esports Medicine Physician, GamerDoc


Friday, 15 October

09.00 - 09.45 CET

PANEL: Impacts of The Pandemic in League Business Models, Sponsorships & Partnerships

Speakers: Jordi SOLER, CEO, LEAGUE VideoGamers PROFESSIONALS (LVP)

Wouter Sleijffers, CEO, EXCEL


10.45 - 11.30 CET

PANEL: Learning Through Esports

Speakers: TBC


View the full Esports BAR Cannes 2021 programme here