Brazilian esports organisation FURIA announces new base in Malta

One of the largest esports organisations in South America, Brazil’s FURIA, is expanding operations to Malta.

It is a world leader in esports competitions, and fields teams in all major league esports titles. Indeed, FURIA said it will also be relocating its CounterStrike team to Malta, while its CS:GO and simulation racing rosters routinely compete in European tournaments.

FURIA, founded in 2017, will see its new headquarters located in the north of the island, in Mellieha, which is expected to be fully functional by summer.

The news of the HQ was shared internationally by FURIA Co-Founder and Co-CEO Jaime Pádua through a video message, as well as through Malta’s Minister for the Economy, European Funds and Lands, Silvio Schembri, both present at the ESL Pro Leave event currently taking place on the island.

Mr Pádua thanked Malta’s Government for the assistance in facilitating FURIA’s investment, and confirmed the organisation’s status as “now becoming an active part of the esports ecosystem in Malta”.

On his part, Minister Schembri said: "We believed in the potential of esports for our country from the very beginning. This is an industry that globally is reaching $1.2 billion and continues to grow every year. This is why having a league like the ESL Pro League staged right in our country, continues to show that Malta is home to excellence in the gaming sector."

Ivan Filletti, CEO of Gaming Malta, spoke about the work done between Gaming Malta, the Malta Gaming Authority, and the private sector to operate in harmony for the island. He also mentioned several local companies that are making a name for Malta in the world of esports.

ESL Pro League Commissioner Alex Inglot said that this tournament reaches 500,000 users during game play. The ESL Tournament on the island lasts six weeks, with its climax being reached this week. During the past six weeks, 338 players and 145 staff members were present for the tournament.