Smart and Dark League Studios join forces to further grow Esports in the Philippines

PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has teamed up with Esports event management and production team, Dark League Studios (DLS) to further advance Esports and empower aspiring gamers from the grassroots to level up to the pro leagues and become national athletes.

Smart and DLS will also work together to bring more exciting and immersive gaming experiences through the Smart GIGA Arena, the country's first all-in-one Esports platform that offers tournament experience to amateur players of popular games including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Call of Duty Mobile, Player’s Unknown Battleground, and League of Legends Wild Rift.

ESPORTS FOR ALL. PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. and Dark League Studios have formally launched their groundbreaking partnership to help boost the national esports program and provide a platform for aspiring esports players across the country to fulfill their dream. In the photo are: Bobby Y. Rosales, Co-founder and Chairman of Dark League Studios; Al S. Panlilio, PLDT and Smart President and CEO; and Alfrancis P.. Chua, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Dark League Studios.

The partnership will allow Smart to further grow GIGA Arena in terms of the number of tournaments, onboarding of game developers, and provide consumer centric activities within the platform.

Since its launch in 2022, Smart GIGA Arena has hosted over 2 million users in nearly 1,000 tournaments, offering more than PHP 4.2 million in prizes.

Through this partnership, Smart and DLS have also committed to work closely and collaborate with the Philippine Esports Organization (PeSo) to adopt industry best practices and maintain the highest standards of integrity.

Both Smart and DLS are gearing up to engage more Filipino gamers with new tournaments and enhanced features on the GIGA Arena platform.

Bringing the best gaming experience to Filipinos

“Our partnership with DLS is in line with our commitment to provide the best gaming experience to Filipinos. We at Smart have always believed in the ability of Filipinos to dominate sports of all kinds – including Esports. Through our collaboration with DLS, we hope to empower more aspiring Esports athletes to level up their gameplay and compete in a much bigger arena," said Al S. Panlilio, PLDT Inc and Smart Communications President and CEO.

“We share Smart's vision for Philippine Esports, and we are excited to leverage our expertise and experience in engaging the gaming community and inspiring Filipino gamers to fulfill their dream," said Alfrancis Chua, Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer of Dark League Studios.

“We are glad to see the support of Smart to elevate the industry and align our initiatives in favor of the sport. This will help generate more opportunities for aspiring Filipino gamers to showcase and develop their skills as they aspire to become the next generation of Team SIBOL athletes.” said Marlon Marcelo, Executive Director of Philippine Esports Organization.

The Philippines’ Fastest and Best Mobile Network

Smart empowers Filipino gamers with the Philippines' fastest and best mobile network, as recognized by Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence.

Smart is first and only Philippine mobile operator to win Ookla’s Best Mobile Network award in Q1-Q2 2022 and Q3-Q4 2022. To get this rare and prestigious recognition, Smart won both the Fastest Mobile Network and Best Mobile Coverage awards within the same reporting periods.

As of end-March 2023, Smart's 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G network covers 97 percent of the country's population.

To learn more about Smart's Esports programs and efforts and services, follow its official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, or visit its official website at smart.com.ph.