Esports News UK

English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur has partnered with PlayVS to introduce a new gaming initiative in the United States.

The Tottenham Hotspur Game to Glory initiative aims at engaging students across the country.

What is the Tottenham Hotspur Game to Glory initiative?

The Tottenham Hotspur Game to Glory gaming initiative will see U.S. students aged 13 to 22 compete in two EA FC 26 tournaments.

Winners will advance to the semifinals and finals, which will be livestreamed on November 10th.

Tottenham are partnering with American esports platform PlayVS to deliver the tournaments and livestream.

Will Hattam, marketing director at Tottenham, said: “Game to Glory gives us the opportunity to inspire young audiences in the U.S. through a passion for football and gaming.

“By partnering with PlayVS, we can share the heritage of our Club, build connections, and inspire passion for football at a time when the sport’s growth in the United States is building towards next summer’s FIFA World Cup.”

The 2026 World Cup will take place in North American countries the United States, Canada and Mexico. Games will be held in 16 locations, including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Kansas, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Boston in the US.

“This programme is truly unique, and PlayVS is proud to partner with Tottenham Hotspur to bring the excitement and passion to their club to students across the U.S.,” said Jon Chapman, CEO of PlayVS.

“Together, we’re opening new ways for young fans to connect with one of the world’s most iconic soccer clubs while building community and inspiring the next generation.”

Football clubs in esports

Tottenham is the latest Premier League club to use esports to help boost fan engagement.

Earlier this month, Manchester City and sports clothing brand Puma released a new esports collection.

The Premier League club have also worked with students, collaborating with Oldham College since July 2024.

City released a promotional video to showcase its esports academy programme back in June.

Esports organisations have also expanded their operations into the world of football.

In April 2025, G2 Esports launched the G2 Football Clib to compete in Kings League Germany, a seven-a-side football league founded by former Barcelona and Manchester United defender Gerard Pique and Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos.

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Worlds 2024 news and Road to London content powered by AGON by AOC

The worlds of esports and sports collided on the weekend as sports stars got involved with Worlds 2024, and winners T1 visited Spurs’ football stadium.

Korean League of Legends team T1 won the Worlds 2024 final on Saturday November 2nd as Faker secured his fifth title and 14,700 fans filled London’s O2 Arena to watch.

And the next day, on Sunday November 3rd, T1 players watched English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur (aka Spurs) beat Aston Villa 4-1 at Spurs’ Stadium in North London.

Spurs player and captain of the South Korean national football team, Son Heung-min (aka Sonny), has also been involved in some promotion around League of Legends recently, too.

He appeared in the below video on the official Riot Games channels, titled ‘From the Pitch to the Rift’.

Sonny spoke about his love of League of Legends in the video, including the fact that he started out playing in the jungle with champions like Lee Sin, Viego, Rammus and Vi, and plays on the Korean server online with his friends back home.

“Initially, my friends made fun of me a lot, asking ‘what are you doing, you can’t even play League!’

“Because I’m the jungler, I have to be involved in many lanes and just kill the game if there’s the opportunity.

“It’s similar when I’m on the pitch, I’m a striker, if I have this opportunity, I have to score the goals.”

Son also said that T1 are his favourite esports team.

“We visited Korea with Spurs three years ago and saw [T1] after training, we took a picture with everybody, and I had a little bit of a connection with Faker,” he added.

“For me, he’s the greatest player in esports history and has kept his form for ten years. He is just incredible.”

The promotion was listed as a paid partnership on Sonny’s Instagram page.

Son also sent a message wishing good luck to T1 and BLG ahead of the Worlds final in London:

Son has been involved in other video game partnerships in the past, including being named ambassador in Pepsi’s EA Sports FC partnership.

And in 2021, Son Heung-min was added to PUBG as a playable character.

Roger Federer’s involvement with Worlds 2024

Son isn’t the only sports personality to be featured in some promotion around the Worlds 2024 finals in London.

Swiss former tennis player Roger Federer appeared in the below video by Mercedes-Benz, featuring him driving the Worlds trophy to the O2.

“The arena in London has a special place in my heart,” Roger Federer said. “My last professional tennis match, stunning atmosphere, a very emotional night. It was extraordinary to play one last time at the Laver Cup.

“Another big final coming to London this year is the League of Legends World Championship 2024,” Roger continued. “And this [a custom Mercedes-Benz electric G-Class vehicle] is the official [Worlds] trophy carrier.

“Winning the Summoner’s Cup is the ultimate goal of every League of Legends player. Let’s get this trophy to London.”