Mumbai: The Neeraj Chopra Classic – India’s first global javelin competition that will see the world’s best athletes go toe-to-toe at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, in Bengaluru, on July 5th – has attracted a plethora of top brands who have come on board as partners to the event.

Accelerated by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), the NC Classic also has brands such as Visa (Official Partner), Audi India (Mobility Partner), BodyArmor Lyte ORS (Hydration Partner), Duolingo English Test (Learning Partner) and Snapchat (Content Partner) among others.

Speaking on the response from brands to the NC Classic, Karan Yadav, Chief Commercial Officer, JSW Sports, said, “The versatility and range of brands that have decided to come on board with the NC Classic is testament to the potential this competition has. These are the biggest names in world javelin, spearheaded by Neeraj, competing on Indian soil for the first time. The event has all the ingredients to be a blockbuster, and a regular fixture on the world athletics calendar. The response to partner with the event has been fantastic, and it only augurs well for the future of live sport planned to global standards, in India.”

Radisson Hotel Group has come on board as the Hospitality Partner, while JioStar will be the official Broadcast Partner for the event. The event will also have its own range of merchandise for which FanCode Shop have come onboard as Fan Merchandise Partner.

Complete List Of Partners

1. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited: Accelerated By

2. Visa: Official Partner

3. Stage App: Official Entertainment Partner

4. Fixderma: Official Skincare Partner

5. Audi India: Official Mobility Partner

6. BODYARMOR Lyte ORS: Official Hydration Partner

7. Duolingo English Test: Official Learning Partner

8. Under Armour: Official Athletic Performance Partner

9. Radisson Hotel Group: Official Hospitality Partner

10. JioStar: Official Broadcast Partner

11. ACT: Official Wi-Fi Partner

12. Bangalore Baptist Hospital: Official Healthcare Partner

13. Radio City: Official Radio Partner

14. Snapchat: Official Content Partner

15. Mera Hoarding: Official Outdoor Partner

16. FanCode Shop: Official Fan Merchandise Partner

The new season also marks the racing series’ debut on the PlayVS platform and will feature a new competitive format and updated race times.

LOS ANGELES, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — PlayVS, the leading amateur esports platform, is proud to announce the renewal of its groundbreaking partnership with NASCAR and iRacing, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the rapidly expanding eNASCAR College iRacing Series. This renewed collaboration will continue to bring high-octane, competitive virtual racing to college students across the country, providing unique career and scholarship opportunities through one of the most innovative programs in collegiate esports. This season will also mark the debut of PlayVS as the official league platform, following its recent acquisition of Playfly College Esports.

Launched in 2022, the eNASCAR College iRacing Series has quickly become one of the most engaging and inclusive collegiate esports competitions in the country. Powered by iRacing’s premier motorsport simulation platform and NASCAR’s deep racing heritage, the series gives full-time college students the opportunity to compete for scholarship prizes, develop real-world career skills, and gain exposure to professional motorsports and esports pathways.

The eNASCAR College iRacing Series has grown to over 300 schools and almost 500 unique racers. In April, the 2024-25 Series season concluded with Cal State Fullerton’s Logan Clampitt celebrating victory at the Homestead-Miami Speedway and earning $10,000 in scholarship prizes.

“Renewing our partnership with NASCAR and iRacing reflects our commitment to delivering competitive and meaningful esports experiences to college students across North America,” said Charles O’Donnell, Sr. Director of College Esports at PlayVS. “The eNASCAR College iRacing Series is not just about virtual racing—it’s a launchpad for future talent in motorsports, gaming, and media.”

Through iRacing’s hyper-realistic simulation software, students experience the thrill of authentic stock car racing while competing from their dorm rooms, esports arenas, or home setups. The upcoming 2025-26 season promises even more exciting races, new tracks, and increased prize opportunities. Details on these updates will be shared with the PlayVS community later this summer.

“We’re proud to continue building the future of sim racing through our partnership with iRacing and PlayVS,” said Ray Smith, Sr. Director of Esports at NASCAR. “The eNASCAR College iRacing Series is more than just competition—it’s a foundational bridge between the collegiate esports ecosystem and the world of NASCAR. As we enter the 2025–26 season, this partnership strengthens our commitment to developing young talent, expanding access, and inspiring the next generation of motorsports professionals.”

For more information on the eNASCAR College iRacing season, visit: https://playflycollege.gg/pages/enascar

For more information on iRacing and for special offers, visit www.iracing.com

About PlayVS
PlayVS is North America’s leading amateur esports and gaming platform, dedicated to unlocking the many benefits of competitive gaming for students at every level. PlayVS offers a single, comprehensive community where players, coaches, educators, and parents come together to compete, connect, and grow. With the acquisitions of Generation Esports and Playfly Esports, PlayVS now provides the most comprehensive pathway in scholastic esports—from middle school to college. PlayVS is the official high school esports partner of the NFHS Network, the Special Olympics, and 40+ state and regional organizations across the U.S. and Canada. To learn more, visit https://playvs.com.

About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.

Media Contact:
[email protected]

SOURCE PlayVS

YPSILANTI — Eastern Michigan University’s Esports program is launching its first-ever EMU Esports Summer Camp July 14-18 at the EMU Student Center, located at 900 Oakwood St. in Ypsilanti. The week-long camp is designed for boys and girls ages 11 to 14 and will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Led by professional staff and experienced EMU Esports student-athletes, the camp offers a curated experience that blends gaming with hands-on, off-screen learning opportunities to support the development of skills such as communication, teamwork, focus, memory, introspection, and performing under pressure. Campers will participate in both mental and physical activities that reflect the values and demands of the esports industry while gaining insight into gaming as a growing academic and professional field.

“We’re excited to bring esports and gaming education to the next generation,” said Zachary Lewis, coordinator of the EMU Esports program. “This camp is about more than just gameplay—it’s about building a learning environment that helps students grow and develop in a safe, collaborative space. We also hope to engage families and educators in seeing the positive potential of esports as a structured, valuable discipline.”

To maximize the camper experience, enrollment is limited to 25 participants. Campers are required to bring a packed lunch each day. Snacks will be provided twice daily. This is the first in a series of camps planned by EMU Esports, with future sessions expected to include expanded topics such as competitive gaming and content creation for high school students.

The cost to attend is $318, which includes an $18 registration fee. Registration is now open and will close on June 30, 2025. Interested families can register and learn more on the EMU Esports website.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, EMU is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University’s Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University’s website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.

Betsson Group first entered the Lithuanian market in 2016 through the acquisition of TonyBet, which was rebranded as Betsafe the following year. Since then, the brand has gone from strength to strength, establishing itself as one of the leading operators in the country.

The transition to Betsson reflects the Group’s ambition to bring even greater consistency, scalability, and brand recognition to its operations across regulated markets. For Lithuanian customers, it ensures the same trusted and seamless gaming experience – now backed by the strength of a globally recognised brand, with expanded resources, international partnerships, and unique fan engagement opportunities.

Jesper Svensson, CEO at Betsson Group, commented: “Lithuania has been an important market for us over the years, and this rebrand is a natural next step in our journey. By aligning our presence in the market under the Betsson brand, we can tap into broader marketing synergies, strengthen our global identity, and continue offering the same great service that our customers know and trust.”

The rebrand reflects Betsson’s ongoing investment in Lithuania, where the company moved into a larger office in Vilnius’ Central Business District just over two years ago. Today, the office is home to around 40 employees working across commercial, payments and support functions.

Over the years, the Group has also built strong local partnerships that demonstrate its commitment to sport. Betsafe is the title sponsor of the Lithuanian Basketball League (Betsafe-LKL), one of the most competitive leagues in the region. The brand also supports both the men’s and women’s Lithuanian national basketball teams, and is a proud sponsor of football club FC Žalgiris.

This transition also aligns with Betsson Group’s broader international marketing strategy. The Group is actively investing in high-profile sports sponsorships, including partnerships with Boca Juniors and Racing Club in Argentina, Inter in Italy, Atlético Nacional in Colombia and several other clubs across Europe and Latin America. These global initiatives not only raise brand awareness but also bring added value to local markets like Lithuania through stronger brand recognition and cross-market campaigns.

Source: GMB

The co-branded experience is being launched with Roblox and in partnership with Fandom, and consists of puzzles, creative challenges and interactive zones for kids to explore. The game also boasts as virtual space that will enable families to team up to unlock exclusive rewards and more. The experience is being promoted by the brand with more than one-million packs of specially branded Weetos alongside a competition running this summer.

Brand Manager Madeleine Rainert spoke on Weetos World saying, “Weetos World represents a bold step forward for the brand. We’re tapping into cultural relevance by meeting families where they already are – and doing it in a way that stays true to Weetos’ playful DNA. The fact that the game is inspired by children’s real ideas makes it even more special. This is about more than just cereal; it’s about sparking golden moments between parents and children through the power of play!”

BusinessWire India

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Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], June 25: CookieRun India, the popular mobile game developed by Devsisters and published by KRAFTON India, has announced its first-ever brand collaboration, teaming up with the iconic FMCG brand Orion to roll out a nationwide campaign that merges the nostalgic delight of Orion ChocoPie with the vibrant, whimsical world of CookieRun. This strategic collaboration is designed to blend the charm of a timeless treat with the thrill of mobile gameplay, creating an immersive, cross-platform experience for Indian consumers of all ages.

At the heart of this strategic partnership are limited-edition Orion ChocoPie packs, featuring exclusive CookieRun India-themed designs. Created to be collectible and visually vibrant, these packs aim to stand out on shelves and evoke both a sense of childhood nostalgia and modern-day gaming culture.

Starting June 24th in-game, players can participate in a special ChocoPie Pet event, collecting ‘ChocoPie Jelly’ and exchanging it for an exclusive, limited-edition pet. Each special pack also contains a unique redemption code that unlocks free in-game crystals, encouraging consumers to engage across both retail and digital platforms. Adding a competitive twist, CookieRun India is also hosting a smartphone giveaway contest: players who score 15 lakh points or more during the campaign period stand a chance to win one of 35 smartphones, blending fun, skill, and real-world rewards in one high-stakes gaming experience.

Seddharth Merrotra, Head of Business Development and Partnerships, KRAFTON India, said, “This collaboration goes beyond co-branding–it’s about merging cultural nostalgia with today’s mobile-first lifestyle. ChocoPie is an iconic part of growing up for many in India, and CookieRun India brings that emotional memory into an interactive, digital format. These limited-edition packs are aimed at engaging both loyal Orion ChocoPie fans and a new generation of mobile gamers, offering something nostalgic and fresh in one irresistible package. We’re excited to create a playful and rewarding ecosystem where real-world treats unlock virtual adventures.”

Mr. Minwoo Kim, CEO, Orion Nutritionals India, added, “We are delighted to announce our collaboration with CookieRun India, an exciting step that brings Orion ChocoPie into the imaginative world of mobile gaming. Through this partnership, we’re reimagining how fans experience that joy, blending the comforting taste of Orion ChocoPie with the exciting adventure of CookieRun India! It’s exciting to witness ChocoPie as a digital treat in a game loved by millions. We truly hope that this partnership becomes a memorable part of every player’s journey.”

Bringing it all together is a QR code printed on the special-edition Orion ChocoPie packs, enabling direct download or login access to CookieRun India–making it easier than ever for curious snackers to jump into the action. This seamless integration of physical packaging with digital rewards is part of KRAFTON India’s broader effort to create engaging phygital experiences. By turning everyday consumer touchpoints into portals for play, and linking them to a snack that holds deep emotional value, the collaboration taps into both sentiment and curiosity, reshaping how players interact with their favorite titles both online and offline.

By combining collectible packaging, gamified rewards, and QR-powered engagement, the CookieRun India x Orion ChocoPie collaboration stands as a leading example of how brands can connect with India’s digital-first generation, merging sweet nostalgia with the thrill of gameplay in a way that’s fresh, fun, and unforgettable.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

(The story has come from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Tribune Staff.)