Financial services provider Mastercard has announced the return of the Mastercard Gamer Academy, in collaboration with G2 Esports and game developer Riot Games.
The development programme, currently in its second consecutive year, will provide a select number of participants with resources, tools and mentorship to start a career in gaming and esports.
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The Mastercard Gamer Academy will hold exclusive classes on gaming and esports for chosen participants over eight months. Participants in the development programme must be 21 years of age, and be able to dedicate over two hours a week to classes and other activities.
In collaboration with Riot Games, the Mastercard Gamer Academy will cover a five-day trip to the 2025 League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational and VALORANT Champions. Participants will also have access to digital and in-person mentorship sessions with Academy ambassadors which include the likes of G2 Hel, G2 Gozen, men’s VALORANT teams and more.
Last year, chosen participants of the programme took part in a series of esports-focused activities, with a curriculum that offered professional insights into competitive gaming.
Similar to this year’s edition, 2024’s Mastercard Gamer Academy participants went to the same two Riot Games international events. Moreover, 2025 participants will once again gain backstage access to the G2 Esports HQ in Berlin, Germany.
According to a release, Mastercard aims to offer a ‘comprehensive curriculum’ that delves into esports-focused topics such as brand engagement, team management, content creation and event execution, among other subjects.
G2 Esports, a commercial esports partner of Mastercard, will provide participants with networking opportunities and professional insights from top talent within the industry.
Applications for the Mastercard Gamer Academy are open until December 18th.
Mastercard’s sponsorship initiatives in esports can be traced back to 2018, with the company partnering with Riot Games for League of Legends esports. The payments provider and debit card facilitator has recently worked with GameSquare and the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF). Moreover, Mastercard tapped into Africa’s developing esports sector by hosting its inaugural Casablanca Esports Summit.
