Highlights
- The Esports Awards has partnered with UK-based job platform Hitmarker ahead of its 10th anniversary ceremony in Riyadh on Aug. 24, aligning the industry’s premier recognition event with its leading career hub.
- Organizers said the tie-up highlights efforts to professionalize the industry’s workforce, connecting the celebration of competitive achievement with broader career development opportunities.
The Esports Awards announced a media partnership with Hitmarker, a gaming and esports job platform, as the industry's premier awards ceremony prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary in Riyadh on Aug. 24.
The collaboration positions Hitmarker alongside Oakley and the Esports World Cup as key partners for the ceremony, which will honor what organizers call the "Decade Awards" to mark a milestone for an event widely considered the industry's most prestigious recognition program.
The partnership reflects the esports industry's evolution from a niche entertainment sector into a multibillion-dollar business that employs thousands of professionals beyond the players who compete on stage. As investment has poured into competitive gaming, demand has grown for specialized roles including coaches, broadcast producers, tournament organizers and marketing professionals.
"This partnership is about powering excellence in esports," said Michael Ashford, who leads the Esports Awards organization, "not just for the players on stage, but for everyone who makes the industry function."
A Maturing Industry Seeks Professional Foundation
The Esports Awards, founded in 2015, has honored top players like Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok from League of Legends and celebrated breakthrough games such as Valorant across dozens of categories. The ceremony operates under a three-year agreement with the Esports World Cup Foundation, though that partnership has drawn criticism from some industry stakeholders over Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
Hitmarker, established in 2017, has positioned itself as a central hub for gaming industry employment, listing thousands of positions from major publishers, tournament organizers and media companies. The UK-based platform has secured partnerships with organizations including National Student Esports and health insurance provider SafetyWing.
The awards ceremony will be streamed live on YouTube, Twitch and X, with voting for the Decade Awards categories now closed. Winners will be announced during the Aug. 24 event, which returns to Riyadh for the second consecutive year under the Esports World Cup partnership.
The collaboration signals how the esports industry is working to professionalize its workforce as it matures from a grassroots phenomenon into an established entertainment sector. By connecting its most visible celebration of achievement with its primary career development platform, organizers aim to highlight the breadth of opportunities available in competitive gaming beyond the spotlight of professional competition.
