UK-based esports events and broadcasts agency Projekt Gap has launched official Pathfinders League of Legends women’s tournaments.
The idea is to provide a platform to showcase talent both in front of and behind the screen.
Efforts to support women and gender minorities in esports are rising. In the past year, tournament series such as Riot’s Rising Stars presented opportunities for women to compete in one of the world’s most popular titles – League of Legends. However, the game has lacked a sustainable European women’s series like Valorant has with Game Changers.
The Pathfinders League of Legends tournaments are dedicated to addressing this gap. Launching across May 27th and 28th 2023, Pathfinders will feature single elimination best-of-three brackets.
Teams will compete for a £500 prize pool per tournament. Three further tournaments are planned for the remainder of the year.
Projekt Gap – the birthplace of Pathfinders – intends to build on the foundations built by its predecessors. To maximise its platform, the tournament series has adopted a semi-franchised model. Six teams sign for the full year of tournaments, with the remaining two slots filled via an open qualifier.
European Titans G2 Hel and Vitality to field women’s rosters in Projekt Gap’s Pathfinders League of Legends tournament series
G2 Hel, Vitality, BIG Chroma, Galaxy Racers MENA, Qlash and Solary have claimed the six franchised slots for this year’s Pathfinders League of Legends tournaments.
Open qualifiers for the inaugural tournament will be held on May 13th and 14th to determine the final two participating teams.
G2 Hel won Riot’s Rising Stars European tournament in 2022, earning them widespread respect in the women’s esports scene. G2 has also found success in Valorant’s 2022 VCT Game Changers. Now facing competition from other large European teams such as Vitality, G2 Hel will have to prove they can maintain dominance.
Choosing a semi-franchised system was a decision made to support women’s League of Legends in the long-term, according to Ali Rashid, Head of Product at Projekt Gap.
“For the growth of the scene, it is important to incentivise not only players but organisations as well.”
Ali Rashid, Projekt Gap
With six teams committed to the year of tournaments, they have higher incentive to continue investing in their women’s team beyond a single competition.
Rosters can develop over a longer period of time, solidifying the team and allowing them to train together.
Supporting women in esports in a variety of roles
The Pathfinders League of Legends tournaments intend to surpass supporting women in esports at face value, extending its project to support the many women who work behind the scenes.
Both days of the main tournament will be covered by an official broadcast featuring five matches. The initiative aims to run this broadcast via a majority-female broadcast team and events crew, especially in key production roles.
Joining the broadcast team is host and interviewer, Keltoum ‘Giniro’ Baddaje, who has worked on a variety of broadcasts in UK esports.
Giniro said:
“The goal is for Pathfinders to change the competitive ecosystem, giving women a platform to showcase their passion for the game but also making the statement that we are here to stay.”
Giniro, Pathfinders host and interviewer
Regarding their behind-the-scenes initiative, Samantha Fry, Projket Gap Co-Founder and Head of Operations, stated: “It is important to use to support the entire ecosystem. That means not just the players, but also the staff looking to build their careers within the space.”
Overall, the team behind Pathfinders wants to bring long-term success to women’s esports, beginning with League of Legends. Showcasing professionals and providing a supportive platform are at the initiative’s core.
Backed by a semi-franchised system, the Pathfinders League of Legends tournaments are set to showcase exciting gameplay from top women in the industry.
You can read more about the organisers on the Projekt Gap website.
Hannah is a writer specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for companies such as Lionscreed Esports, Esports Insider, and SideQuest Hub she has developed a love for wider esports and Apex Legends, although it may never surpass her drive to passionately beat her friends in every game of Mariokart. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ESI London, EGX, Discover: Esports and many League of Legends watch parties.
