Then something happened: Players started streaming 2v2 tournaments using the extra player as a makeshift spectator camera. More and more popped up until we were forced to reshuffle our product roadmap with Spectator Mode at the top. Our players wanted competitive, spectated play, and they weren’t going to wait. So, we pulled all-nighters for PAX East and unveiled spectator on the Twitch main stage, with stars like MsVixen and Prod1gyX teaming up with Vainglorious-tier talent like ShinKaigan and Gibbs. When 10,000+ Twitch viewers showed up to watch a single match, something clicked into place. The time had already come.

It’s thanks to the incredible passion, dedication and instance of our players that today we announce our partnership with the world’s largest independent eSports brand, ESL, and announce the first-ever official Vainglory Cup Series. It’s a humbling milestone, and while we’re still a far cry from filling Staples Center, it’s the beginning of Vainglory’s next chapter — one we can’t wait to share with our players. This officially sanctioned online tournament begins May 13 across Europe, with the top two teams competing in the finals on June 14 for a cash prize and NVIDIA SHIELD tablets. The EU Cup Series will be hosted by professional ESL caster Jason Kaplan alongside well-known Vainglory players DonJon and Blueberryz, the casters of the community-created VaingloryLeague.com site and stream.

The Vainglory Cup Series allows teams to collect points during nine qualifier cups on the way to the online finals. The top eight teams after the qualifier cup phase will advance to the elimination rounds. The top two teams will compete on June 14 to crown a champion.

Teams from anywhere in the world may enter, but all matches will be played on EU servers. To sign up for the qualifier cup or get more details, visit: http://play.eslgaming.com/vainglory/europe.

All matches will be broadcast live on Twitch at twitch.tv/vainglory. You can follow tournament news through the Vainglory ESL Play website and the @ESLVainglory and @vainglorygame Twitter accounts.

We can’t wait to see all the incredibly talented teams out there bring their best and battle for piece of Vainglory history. One team will become the first-ever official Vainglory champions — a feat that will forever be unmatched.

—PlayoffBeard