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The partnership launched with the NODWIN Clutch Series, reinforcing the role of Tier 2 tournaments in developing competitive esports
April 13, 2026: NODWIN Gaming, a leader in South Asia’s esports and gaming ecosystem, has announced a strategic partnership with Runestone, a Prague-headquartered esports technology company that provides real-time data and engagement solutions for tournament organizers and publishers.
As esports competitions grow in scale and reach, tournament organizers are increasingly adopting tools that support fair competition while making broadcasts more engaging for audiences. Real-time data and integrity monitoring have become essential components of modern esports operations.
Tier 2 tournaments have also become an important part of the competitive ecosystem, giving emerging teams consistent opportunities to compete while strengthening the overall talent pipeline across major titles. Through properties such as the NODWIN Clutch Series, NODWIN Gaming has been building structured competitive platforms for teams operating just below the top tier of global Counter-Strike competition.
The latest edition of the series recently concluded with BIG claiming victory in NODWIN Clutch Series 5 after defeating ECSTATIC 2–1 in the $50,000 online tournament’s grand final, further reinforcing the tournament’s position as a competitive proving ground within the global Tier 2 Counter-Strike 2 circuit.
The partnership will also introduce new operational and engagement capabilities across NODWIN Gaming’s IPs, giving tournament organizers better oversight of competitions while enabling more interactive viewing experiences for audiences.
Looking ahead, both companies are exploring opportunities to expand the collaboration across additional esports titles, including mobile-first competitive ecosystems. The partnership also opens the door to developing new products and engagement tools for publishers, tournament operators and event promoters as esports continues to expand into new markets and regions.
Speaking on the partnership Teemu Koski, Chief Business Officer at NODWIN Gaming MENA and Global Head of Data Monetization, said, “We’re excited to partner with Runestone as we continue expanding our competitive gaming portfolio across high-growth regions and titles. Integrity and transparency are fundamental to sustainable esports ecosystems, especially in Tier 2 competition where the next generation of talent emerges. Runestone’s expertise in real-time data and integrity infrastructure complements our experience in building scalable esports IPs and competitive ecosystems. Together, we’re able to strengthen tournament operations while unlocking richer engagement experiences for fans. Starting with the NODWIN Clutch Series for CS2, we see strong potential to expand this collaboration across new IPs, new regions, and new competitive formats.”
Michael Schwartz, Head of Partnerships at Runestone, said, “NODWIN Gaming has built one of the most dynamic esports ecosystems across emerging markets, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with a partner that shares our focus on building sustainable competitive ecosystems. By combining NODWIN’s experience in operating global esports IPs with Runestone’s integrity and engagement infrastructure, we can support tournaments with greater transparency, deeper fan interaction, and scalable operational tools. Supporting the NODWIN Clutch Series is an exciting starting point, and we’re looking forward to expanding into new titles, formats, and regions together.”
The partnership reflects a broader industry shift toward technology-enabled tournament ecosystems that combine competitive integrity, real-time data, and fan engagement to create more sustainable esports business models.
