Look Sports Media – In a significant move poised to reshape the competitive landscape for women and marginalized genders in Counter-Strike, non-profit tournament organizer Brace For Impact (BFI) has officially announced a groundbreaking partnership with the ESL FACEIT Group (EFG). This collaboration is designed to comprehensively address the void left by the discontinuation of ESL Impact, ensuring a sustained and robust competitive ecosystem.
Having previously focused on grassroots Cash Cup tournaments within Counter-Strike, BFI is now set to dramatically expand its global footprint. The new initiative will span five key regions: Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and Oceania, with monthly tournaments scheduled for the third week of every month. While specific prize amounts remain undisclosed, they are anticipated to be modest compared to the substantial pools of the former ESL Impact circuit, yet crucial for consistent competitive engagement.
Beyond direct competition, the partnership emphasizes community building. FaceIT clubs will be established as dedicated hubs, offering a secure and inclusive environment for women and marginalized groups to connect, practice, and enjoy their gaming experience. This community-first approach aims to foster growth and camaraderie alongside competitive play.
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The leadership team for this ambitious project includes British broadcast talent Leyna ‘Affinity’ McQuillin, who has been appointed as the EU Director of Operations. Affinity brings a wealth of experience, having been a prominent caster for ESL Impact broadcasts and a long-standing advocate for women’s Counter-Strike. She joins BFI founder Scott ‘ParkS’ Park, a Canadian caster who initiated BFI tournaments in September of the previous year.
ParkS expressed immense enthusiasm regarding the alliance: "I’m incredibly excited to finally unveil this partnership with ESL FACEIT Group. Many months of dedicated effort from both the Brace For Impact team and EFG’s partnership division have culminated in our ability to host tournaments worldwide and establish FACEIT Clubs in North America and Europe. Providing consistent opportunities for our community throughout the year, especially after the loss of events like Cash Cups at the start of 2025, is paramount, and I’m thrilled we can step up and fill that gap with EFG as our partners."
Anna Pototska, Community Partnership Manager at ESL FACEIT Group, echoed this sentiment, highlighting EFG’s commitment: "We are exceptionally pleased to partner with Brace For Impact and support the vital work they are undertaking for women and marginalized genders in Counter-Strike. BFI has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to crafting consistent, meaningful competitive opportunities. This collaboration allows us to help scale that vision globally. By integrating their community-centric methodology with FACEIT’s robust tournament and Club infrastructure, we are confident this partnership will play a significant role in strengthening and sustaining the female Counter-Strike scene across numerous regions."
This strategic alliance, updated on 07/01/2026, marks a pivotal moment for the future of inclusive Counter-Strike, promising to cultivate talent and provide consistent platforms for a crucial segment of the competitive gaming community. Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor at looksports.media, reports on this developing story.
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