DreamHack and the European Tour to Launch Esports Golf Series in 2020
Europe’s primary golf tour, the European Tour and DreamHack will begin the European eTour series next year. Competitors will be playing TopGolf’s World Golf Tour (WGT).
The tour will see six one-day events that coincide with European Tour events in 2020 and a final during the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai next November, as per Digital TV Europe. The major golf event in Dubai closes the European Tour.
The development follows a successful one-off European eTour Championship in Denmark in May 2019. It is yet another example of conventional sports and esports events and titles collaborating to the benefit of both industries.
The European Tour’s chief content officer, Rufus Hack says:
“The launch of the European eTour underlines the European Tour’s commitment to innovation and we believe this is an exciting opportunity for us to be leaders in a market that has huge growth potential.”
With today’s gaming generations in mind Hack adds:
“The esports industry allows the European Tour to engage with our existing audience in a different way and attract new fans outside of our traditional demographic through our broadcast and digital platforms.”
He also says that the “inaugural” event in Denmark “gave a glimpse into the popularity of esports.”
DreamHack says WGT currently has around 20 million players globally. DreamHack Sports Games CEO, Peter Nørrelund, says DreamHack sees “a great future for sports games in esports.” He adds:
“European Tour [is] one of the strongest brands in the world of sports and with our ability to create content, media products and build strong communities I am sure, that the European eTour will be a smashing success.”
TopGolf partnered with Super League Gaming early in 2019 to create competitive amateur sports events in the US.
And, another big name in conventional sports, Juventus Football Club, last week revealed its agreement with Astralis Group. Astralis will manage the football club’s esports team which will join the eFootball League’s second season.
Image courtesy of WGT
