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Update: Epic.LAN has also extended its partnership with Overclockers UK for a sixth consecutive year:
Original article: Epic.LAN, the UK’s leading independent community UK LAN party, has today announced it has renewed its collaboration with tech giant Intel Corporation (UK) for a fifth consecutive year.
The renewed partnership will once again see Intel headline Epic.LAN’s three flagship events in 2025 at Kettering Leisure Village, promise activations, hands-on Intel tech demonstrations, community tournaments and giveaways.
Fans can also look forward to the return of activities like the Intel Community Championship Belt, where gamers of all skill levels can compete in a variety of fun games, earning points to be crowned the ultimate champion.
The alliance between the two brands ‘demonstrates the profound influence and impact that Epic.LAN offers the UK grassroots gaming and esports scene’, the pair said in a press release sent out today. The pair said their relationship ‘goes far beyond traditional sponsorship, and that together, they have created a platform where players, both casual and competitive, can come together to celebrate their shared love of gaming’.
“Despite the challenges faced by the UK’s gaming event landscape in 2024, Epic.LAN has emerged as a growing success within the industry,” the press release reads. “This success is driven by its ability to align with top-tier partners who share its core values of performance, innovation, authenticity, and a commitment to connecting with its loyal community.
“Intel reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the grassroots gaming scene through its ongoing partnership with Epic.LAN, and both organisations look forward to continuing their collaboration and create innovative activations that embody their shared vision and values.
“As the UK gaming industry evolves, Intel’s consistent support highlights its belief in the importance of grassroots gaming in shaping the future of esports.”
The news comes a month ahead of Epic 44, which will host the Rainbow Six Siege T2 EU esports finals and will take place from February 20th to 23rd 2025.
A look back on Intel and Epic.LAN’s partnership in 2024
Both companies said in a news release that ‘2024 marked another standout year for Epic.LAN’s partnership with Intel, highlighted by groundbreaking collaborations that brought the community closer to the brand’.
One such initiative was Epic.LAN’s community-led activations for Intel Gamer Days 22-day campaign, culminating with the VIP Intel Ultra Experience and the Ultimate PC Giveaway, featuring Intel’s latest CPU, the Intel Core Ultra.
Intel also debuted its Intel Ultimate Escape Room at Epic 42, Epic.LAN’s July 2024 event. Its success led to a return at Epic 43 in October 2024, where it was rebranded as the Intel Ultra Escape Room with a zombified twist, to celebrate the launch of the Intel Core Ultra and allow attendees to explore the latest Intel technology.
Partnerships key to grassroots esports success – Epic.LAN and Intel on their renewed collaboration
Jon Winkle, Managing Director at Epic.LAN, said:
“We have all seen the challenges faced in the events industry over the last few years. One of the reasons Epic.LAN has been able to continue delivering top-quality gaming events is through the strength of its partnerships and how those partners understand our community-first approach.”
Jon Winkle, Epic.LAN
“As we go into our fifth year of working with Intel, it’s clear that they thoroughly understand the importance of supporting those grassroots gaming and esports communities with us and we look forward to another year of strong collaboration.”
Mark Walton, Director of Global Client Communications at Intel Corporation, commented: “Our partnership with Epic.LAN has consistently demonstrated the power of community-driven initiatives. We are proud to support the grassroots gaming and esports communities, fostering innovation and engagement at every level.
“As we enter this new year, we are excited to continue our collaboration and create even more impactful experiences for the Epic.LAN community.”
Outside of its in-house LAN events, which it has been delivering since 2003, Epic.LAN also acts as a specialist technical support agency to a range of brands, events and production partners.
For Epic 44 tickets and more info, visit epiclan.co.uk
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
