KFC BATTLE is a youth project that has been a positive force in the lives of people in Russian and CIS countries for several years. Typically, the events have focused on physical activity, education, music, art, and culture, but in keeping with trends, KFC is looking to add an esports aspect to the project tour in 2018. They’ve announced partnership with ESForce and will be hosting their first-ever DOTA 2 tournament this time around.

ESforce is the owner of teams such as SK Gaming and Virtus and to that end have supplied former Virtus Pro and RuHub DOTA 2 analyst Yaroslav “NS” Kuznetsov as a mentor for KFC BATTLE. NS will be additionally providing his analyst and livestream expertise on the new DOTA 2 tournament, dubbed the KFC Esports Championship.

Yaroslav "NS" Kuznetsov has been an esports legend in competition and on the sideline for a long time. As some of the most high-profile representation from ESforce, NS has a lot to bring to KFC BATTLE

According to the Esports Marketing Blog, the Championship will be open with to teams of Russian and CIS members age 14 and over. Admission will be free. An online qualifier will determine the strongest 4 teams who will compete in a final set of rounds in Moscow on July 21 and 22. The winners of the finals will have the opportunity to compete in the Russian Esports Cup in 2018.

Business Development Director of ESforce Holding Roman Tarasov spoke on behalf of ESforce, offering gratitude at the chance to boost esports’ presence and add another facet to the ongoing international project.

“We are glad to be part of such a major international project like KFC BATTLE,” Tarasov said. “Esports is constantly growing in popularity, and has already matched the project’s other areas in this respect. We also hope that our participation this year will start a long-term cooperation between ESforce and KFC.”

As KFC BATTLE kicks off, it may be to the opportunity to see some rising stars come into their own in the European esports market as the project opens its doors to this fresh opportunity.

KFC isn’t the only one making partnerships and building tournaments. Daybreak recently announced a slew of new partnerships as they gear up for the first season of the H1Z1 Pro League.