GILD Guild Esports Plc

Press release

7 May 2024

Guild Esports PLC

("Guild Esports", "Guild", or "the Company")

Guild joins the Esports World Cup Club Program

Guild Esports PLC (LSE: GILD; OTCQB: GULDF), a global gaming-focused media business, is pleased to announce that it has joined the Esports World Cup Club Program ("EWC Club Program"), a scheme launched by the Esports World Cup Foundation ("EWC Foundation") to incentivise leading esports organisations to expand their competitive presence at the Esports World Cup ("EWC").

The EWC is an annual esports tournament hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which brings together esports organisations from across the globe in an eight-week tournament across 19 different video games including Fortnite, EA FC, Rocket League and Street Fighter. The tournament is hosted by the EWC Foundation. The inaugural tournament will take place in July and August 2024.

Guild is a partner team of the EWC and will attend and compete at the tournament. Other partnered teams include Cloud 9, Team Liquid, Team Vitality, G2 Esports and Gen.G.

The Esports World Cup represents a significant milestone for Guild as it expands into the MENA region. MENA is the world's fastest-growing gaming market, with the total number of gamers reaching 68.4 million in 2023 (source: Niko Partners, 2024). Guild's presence at the EWC will improve the Company's brand visibility in the region and attract new fans, and the Company believes that, as one of the few British teams in the competition, Guild can represent UK esports fans at the tournament.

The tournament has a total prize pool of $60 million, with $40 million to be won by players and $20 million by esports teams. The prize fund for teams will be split among the top 16 finishers in the Club Championship. All qualified teams with participation in at least two games will be competing in the Club Championship for the chance to win part of the prize pool.

Jasmine Skee, CEO of Guild Esports, commented: "The Esports World Cup will be the pinnacle of professional gaming, with the biggest prize pool in history and attended by the best and brightest of the esports world. Our presence in Riyadh reflects the EWC Foundation's dedication and investment in the industry. We're delighted to be competing alongside titans of the esports world and talented newcomers, in an experience we are sure will delight our fans, all while growing our international presence. It's a thrilling opportunity for us to showcase our skills, connect with new fans, and contribute to a vibrant future for esports worldwide."

Luke Jones, Vice President of Commercial, Esports and Gaming at Guild Esports, commented: "Guild's commitment to esports excellence and our international audience were crucial to our selection as a partner team for the Esports World Cup. Our Academy and world-class headquarters in Shoreditch give our players a key advantage as they prepare for the tournament. With an unprecedentedly large prize pool up for grabs, there is no better place for our players to demonstrate their skill than at the Esports World Cup."

For further information please contact:

About Guild Esports:

Guild Esports PLC is a global gaming-focused media business that fields professional players in gaming competitions under the Guild banner. Our in-house training academy aims to attract and nurture the best esports talent, and our goal is to provide the ultimate entertainment experience alongside a distinctive lifestyle brand authentic to the esports community worldwide. Guild is led by an experienced management team of entertainment sector and esports veterans and co-owned by David Beckham. The Company is headquartered in the UK and its shares are listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (ticker: GILD) and on the OTCQB Venture Market in the United States (ticker: GULDF). Please visit www.guildesports.com for more information.