Brazil’s Esports Giant FURIA Joins Hands with PokerStars

In a continuation of a partnership that began in 2020, prominent esports organization FURIA and global poker giant PokerStars have unveiled their plans for a new merchandise collaboration. This joint venture aims to intertwine the thrilling worlds of esports and poker in a series of exclusive apparel items set to roll out over 2023 and 2024.

To kickstart this exciting collaboration, the two brands are introducing a limited-edition FURIA x PokerStars hoodie. PokerStars will award this item as an exclusive prize for victors in select tournaments on their platform. While this is just the beginning, both parties promise a wider range of merchandise for the public in the ensuing months.

Andre Akkari, a key figure in PokerStars as a Team Pro and a co-founder of FURIA, weighed in on this blossoming relationship. He stated, “The partnership is the perfect example of two brands that strongly relate and support each other to achieve the full potential of connection with their audiences.” This sentiment is deeply echoed in their joint merchandise collection, which Akkari believes serves as an emblem of the enduring alliance between the two brands, allowing fans to proudly sport their passion.

For those unfamiliar with André Akkari, he is a respected figure in poker and esports. Beyond his affiliations with FURIA and PokerStars, Akkari has amassed significant accolades in poker and has been a vocal advocate for the game in Brazil and beyond. He is not the only one who tried to bridge poker and esport. In 2021, Doug Polk also tried building a competitive team in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, but the endeavor ultimately did not come to fruition.

FURIA, the organization birthed in 2017, has never been a stranger to successful collaborations. In May 2023, they clinched an award from Warner Bros. for their exclusive FURIA x Batman collection, developed in association with DC Comics. They also ventured into a hat collection partnership with renowned headwear brand New Era in August 2023. Recently, FURIA made headlines when they took over a billboard in Times Square to announce their signing of CS:GO star player Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo.

Brazil stands tall as an esports titan on the global stage. According to the 2022 Game Brasil Research, a leading market intelligence agency in gaming, 74% of Brazilians are avid gamers. With more than 50% engaging in daily gaming sessions on smartphones, it’s clear that the country’s enthusiasm for esports isn’t waning anytime soon.

The poker industry has long recognized the potential overlap between poker and esports enthusiasts and has consistently sought avenues to bridge these two dynamic worlds. This mutual admiration and collaboration between the domains are shaping a promising horizon for fans and players alike.