In April, I wrote that GAM becoming Vietnam's only Club Partner at the Esports World Cup 2026 would change everything. That was a big claim. Now that the season is over, I owe you an honest look at what it turned into.
The world saw what we can do
In July, GAM walked into the Esports World Cup in Paris as one of 40 Club Partners, and the only one from Vietnam. The draw gave us T1 in a best of one on the first day. For a few minutes, we were up 4-0 in kills, and Gloryy solo-killed Faker. I'll be honest, I thought my dreams were about to come true.
T1 came back and won that game. We beat Movistar KOI 2-1 the same day, then met T1 again in a best of three. They won the series, but they had to fight for it. Two meetings with the best team in the history of the game, in two days. Our players now know that stage, and they know they belong on it.
The fans came with us
The part I'll remember longest happened off the stage. Thirty Super Fans flew from Vietnam to Paris and walked into the arena just as GAM and T1 were being introduced. Later in the week, players, fans and our media team had a picnic under the Eiffel Tower. Back home, we turned Ciné Saigon into a watch party with Gen.G and Monster Energy.
I've always said the team gives people something to cheer for, but the community is what gives it meaning. Paris proved it.
Bigger than a badge
When I wrote that April post, I was thinking about what a Club Partner badge could open up. Here is what it actually opened. Our EWC content passed 50 million views across GAM channels. I sat down with Karmine Corp for Club Leaders Face Off on the Esports World Cup channel. In August I was in the room at the Grand Palais for the closing ceremony, representing GAM and Vietnam next to the leaders of Gen.G and T1.
None of it happened alone. FPT Telecom, Vietjet, Monster Energy and Logitech G were with us in Paris, and the #GAMFAM showed up every single day.
What I got wrong
I said it would change everything. It didn't change everything. It changed what we expect from ourselves. Paris showed us exactly where the bar sits. Our job now is to build a GAM that clears it. That is a better result than the one I predicted.
The full Paris story, with every number, is on gam.gg: GAM at the Esports World Cup: Our Paris Story. And for how the partnership started, read GAM Named an Official Club Partner of the Esports World Cup 2026.
Vietnam to the world. See you on the next stage.
