Santiago 2023 witnessed a unifying blend of traditional sports and esports, over 40K enthusiastic fans gathered to celebrate the triumphs in eFootball™ 2024 and Dota 2
The inaugural Pan American Esports Championships (#PEC23) concluded in an epic celebration of esports excellence at GEF_Arena, at the National Stadium Park in Santiago, Chile. With over 40,000 enthusiastic fans and spectators in attendance, the event at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, marked a historic moment where traditional sports meet with esports.
The three-day esports extravaganza united 120 elite athletes from 25 nations across the Americas, competing in two iconic titles – eFootball™ 2024 and Dota 2, in both Open and Women categories, This spectacle transcended boundaries, uniting fans and captivating audiences worldwide. It was a celebration of skill, passion, and the unifying power of esports.
In the eFootball Open category, we saw the undying spirit of competition on full display. Celic 'TheArsenalStyle' Hernandez Valencia from Mexico rose to the occasion, clutching the gold medal in a gripping showdown. He faced off against Brazil's Henrique 'Henrykinho' Silva Mesquita, making for an intense match that had us all on the edge of our seats. The ArsenalStyle proved that the desire for victory knows no borders. Argentina's Lautaro Federico 'LautaroRaris' Raris secured the third-place spot in this fiercely contested competition.
In the Women's eFootball competition, the battlefield was ablaze with fierce determination. 'MONIK' Correa Bisoni, a GEF Champions Circle alum from Brazil, etched her name into the annals of esports history. She emerged as the victor after a thrilling contest against Argentina's Maria Belen 'velu_mza' Giunta. Monik's relentless pursuit of victory left an indelible mark on the esports landscape, reminding us all that greatness knows no gender. Paraguay's Verónica Rocio 'Verock' Chavez Girett claimed the bronze medal, adding to the remarkable talent on display in this competition.
Meanwhile, in the Dota 2 Women's category, we witnessed an epic clash between Peru and Argentina. It was a monumental struggle, and when the dust settled, Peru emerged as the champion with a thrilling 3-1 victory. Notably, the host country, Chile, secured a well-deserved third place in this intense competition.
The Dota 2 Open matches were equally electrifying, with Peru once again showcasing their dominance by securing another gold medal in a closely contested battle against Argentina, finishing with a resounding 3-0 score. Meanwhile, Team Ecuador clinched the bronze medal, adding to the excitement of this thrilling esports competition.
For the first time, the event was streamed live globally in four languages – Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Chinese. The community streams were alive with energy, providing fans worldwide the opportunity to catch the action from Santiago.
The Pan American Esports Championships in Santiago will be etched into the collective memory of the gaming community as a testament to the passion, dedication, and sheer talent that exists within our esports world. The action continues as the Global Esports Federation heads to Riyadh for the third edition of its flagship Global Esports Games this December.