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Tempelhof-Schöneberg becomes an e-sports hotspot: BIG gains new support!
Tempelhof-Schöneberg promotes e-sports: BIG team wins internationally, Mayor Oltmann wants more support and events.
Tempelhof-Schöneberg becomes an e-sports hotspot: BIG gains new support!
Berlin has established itself as a major hub for e-sports, with the Berlin International Gaming (BIG) team playing a key role. BIG, which was founded in 2017 and is based in Tempelhof-Schöneberg, has since won numerous national and international titles in various disciplines. The team also owes these successes to its home in the premises of Bigleet GmbH in Mariendorf, which is not only the company but also the home training facility.
District Mayor Jörn Oltmann visited the company on September 12, 2025 and expressed his support for e-sports in the region. Together with Dr. Ann-Kathrin Biewener, the district's head of economic development, emphasized the importance of gaming and e-sports as a promising industry. Oltmann would like to see better support for e-sports in the Tempelhof-Schöneberg district and in Berlin as a whole. He also plans to promote further major e-sports events in order to establish the city as an international e-sports hotspot.
E-sports in Berlin: A growing trend
Berlin 2025 highlights the integration of e-sports into the city's urban life and culture. Teams like Eintracht Spandau, founded by Maximilian “HandOfBlood” Knabe in 2021, are successfully experimenting with their own streaming team. BIG remains an important player in German esports and recorded a match win against Eintracht Spandau 2-1 in March 2025.
The media presence in e-sports is constantly increasing, with platforms such as esportsInsider.de offering not only news but also betting options for various events. In addition, major tournaments such as the League of Legends World Championship and Valorant Champions have achieved high viewership. For example, over 6.4 million viewers watched the Worlds 2024 final simultaneously.
Berlin as an e-sports hotspot
Berlin's e-sports location will be further strengthened by the city acting as a production center for international e-sports events. Players and commentators from different countries find a platform here. Fan tourism is on the rise: international visitors travel to events and interact with e-sports brands in the capital.
Not long ago, the former LEC Arena was converted into the Riot Games Arena in January 2024. This now serves as a venue for renowned events such as the League of Legends EMEA Championship and the Valorant Champions Tour EMEA. G2 E-Sports, a leading organization in Europe, has celebrated notable successes during this time and is also involved in football with the launch of the G2 Football Club in April 2025.
Overall, Berlin 2025 will show an impressive mix of teams, arenas and cultural events that make digital competition in the city visible. The committed support from local authorities and the continued growth of the e-sports ecosystem highlight Berlin as a significant cultural and economic location.