Tournament operator FACEIT and VISA will launch a $450K USD grassroots esports program in Russia, through new partner Gazprombank. Players in the region can take part in online competitions for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and Dota 2, supported through a branded FACEIT debit card by Visa—the usage of which will further contribute to the replenishment of the prize money on a recurring basis.
Starting this month, the $450K prize money will be distributed over the first three months of the program, both in FACEIT points (which can be exchanged for prizes such as in-game virtual goods and team products) and ruble cash prizes. On top of everyday purchases, cardholders will have exclusive access to these competitions.
FACEIT’s partnership with VISA, first announced in November 2019, targeted the Russian market. Alexey Popvich, first vice president and member of the management board of Gazprombank, stated the country’s esports audience was between 10-12M people and is expected to grow by 20% annually.
