British Esports Federation and American Express Global Business Travel announce multi-year travel and events partnership

Amex GBT becomes Official Travel and Events Sponsor of British Esports

Sunderland, November 11, 2026 – The British Esports Federation and American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), a leading software and services company for travel, expense, and meetings & events, today announced a multi-year partnership to make it easier for teams, players, and businesses to get to the events and venues that power esports in Britain.

As part of the agreement, Amex GBT is the new official Travel & Events Sponsor of British Esports, making it a strategic commercial partner for travel management, travel agency and event agency services within the competitive video games sector. 

The partnership will see British Esports:

• Work alongside Amex GBT to create travel offers and packages for esport players, teams and the people and businesses that support them. 
• Explore potential academy programmes, new event concepts and intellectual property with Amex GBT, and collaborate on launching esports travel solutions.

This agreement will run for an initial three-year period, with the possibility to extend from June 1, 2029.

Today’s announcement comes following the opening of the world-class British Arena in Sunderland, a 15,000 sq.ft multi-use venue equipped with a 200-seat, and 400-standing main stage theatre, 17m LED screen, full 5G capability, broadcast studios, a 550 sq.m outdoor activation space, lounge, bar and more. It also comes as British Esports expands its team to manage its next wave of growth.

With this new venue and a variety of esports events coming in 2027, from the Esports Nations Cup to the International Defence Esports Games, DreamHack Birmingham and more, Amex GBT, together with British Esports, has an array of opportunities to engage with events and make a greater mark on the esports industry in the future.

With Great Britain and other nations competing in tournaments around the world, such as the Esports Nations Cup, and teams able to travel to British Esports’ venues and facilities in Sunderland, including the National Esports Performance Campus, there is a growing need for travel services in esports.

Esports is a multi-billion pound industry, with major events taking place at premium venues including the O2 Arena in London and the NEC in Birmingham. For example, the League of Legends World Championship Final at the O2 in 2024 contributed more than £12m to the economy, and the Mayor of London recently set out new plans to place London at the heart of global esports.

Chester King, British Esports President, commented: “We’re excited to be partnering with a leading name in business travel to strengthen our approach to travel and events together. This partnership is particularly exciting because it gives us the chance to build better travel and event experiences for our players and partners.

“By offering workshops, events, academy programmes and an array of travel solutions with Amex GBT, we can help elevate these areas and offer greater opportunities to the industry. With our British Arena ready to open and more major events going from strength to strength, we look forward to expanding in this area in the future.”

Gerardo Tejado Donde, Senior VP, Professional Services, Amex GBT, added: “Esports is an exciting, vibrant sporting sector that brings together teams, players and brands at fantastic events for their growing community. Partnering with British Esports means we can work alongside the people who know esports best and use those insights to build bespoke travel and event experiences around how this community moves, from tournament weekends to industry gatherings.”

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Contacts

Press | British Esports | press@britishesports.org

Joel Lavery, VP of Strategic Partnerships and Major Events | British Esports | joel.lavery@britishesports.org

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About the British Esports Federation

Established in 2016, British Esports is the national body for esports in the UK. It is the recognised member of the Global Esports Federation for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and founding member of the International Olympic Committee Esports and Gaming Liaison Group. From nationwide amateur grassroots competition to cutting edge esports curriculum and national representation on the global stage, British Esports is dedicated to increasing levels of esports awareness, improving esports standards, and inspiring future esports talent. 

www.britishesports.org 

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About Amex GBT

American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) is the world’s leading B2B travel platform, providing software and services to manage travel, expenses, and meetings and events for companies of all sizes.

Amex GBT is a global force with the courage to push boundaries and think differently. With its extensive marketplace and cutting-edge technology solutions, it helps its customers’ great ideas travel to where they need to be, when they need to be there.

www.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com