Expedia Esports Events: How Travel Brands Are Leveling Up Competitive Gaming Sponsorships

Esports isn’t just a niche hobby anymore—it’s a global industry pulling in over $1.8 billion in annual revenue, per Newzoo’s 2024 Global Esports Market Report. And travel giant Expedia is leaning all the way in. Expedia esports events have become a cornerstone of the brand’s strategy to reach younger, tech-savvy audiences, blending travel perks with competitive gaming fan experiences.

Why Expedia Is Investing in Esports Events

Expedia’s push into gaming isn’t random. The esports audience skews heavily toward Millennials and Gen Z—demographics that prioritize travel experiences over material goods. By sponsoring Expedia esports events, the brand gets direct access to 2.6 billion global gamers, per Newzoo, without the high costs of traditional TV advertising.

As we cover in our Travel Sponsorship Trends 2024 guide, esports partnerships deliver 3x higher engagement than traditional ads for travel brands.

Key benefits of Expedia’s esports partnerships include:

• Targeted reach to high-value travel demographics
• Brand differentiation in a crowded travel market
• Unique fan engagement opportunities beyond banner ads
• Data insights on gamer travel preferences

Notable Expedia Esports Events and Partnerships

Expedia has inked deals with top esports organizations and tournaments over the past three years. Here are the most impactful Expedia esports events to date:

Team SoloMid (TSM) Partnership

In 2022, Expedia became the official travel partner of TSM, one of North America’s most recognizable esports orgs. The deal includes branded content, player travel perks, and fan sweepstakes for tournament trips.

COD League Major Sponsorships

Expedia has sponsored multiple Call of Duty League Majors, offering fans discounted hotel stays near event venues and VIP meet-and-greet packages with pro players. These Expedia esports events drive direct bookings from attendees traveling to tournaments.

Women’s Esports League Collaborations

Expedia recently partnered with the Valorant Game Changers circuit to support women and non-binary gamers. The brand covers travel costs for competing teams, aligning with its broader diversity and inclusion initiatives.

What Expedia Esports Events Mean for Fans

For everyday gamers and esports fans, Expedia’s involvement translates to tangible perks:

1. Discounted travel packages for tournament attendees
2. Exclusive merchandise giveaways at live events
3. Player-led travel vlogs highlighting gaming destinations
4. Sweepstakes entries for all-expenses-paid trips to major finals

Check out our How to Book Tournament Travel on a Budget post for more money-saving tips for live gaming events.

The Future of Travel Brand Esports Sponsorships

Expedia’s success with Expedia esports events is pushing other travel brands to follow suit. Marriott and Booking.com have already launched small-scale esports partnerships, but Expedia’s early-mover advantage has cemented its position as the go-to travel partner for competitive gaming.

Industry experts predict more travel brands will tie sponsorship deals to sustainability, such as carbon-neutral travel for esports teams, a trend Expedia is already testing with its TSM partnership.

FAQ: Expedia Esports Events

Have questions about Expedia’s gaming partnerships? We’ve answered the most common ones below:

What types of esports events does Expedia sponsor?

Expedia focuses on tier-one tournaments (Call of Duty League, Valorant Champions) and long-term team partnerships with orgs like TSM, prioritizing events with live in-person audiences.

Do Expedia esports events offer fan discounts?

Yes, most sponsored events include exclusive hotel and flight discounts for ticket holders, plus sweepstakes entries for free tournament trips.

Is Expedia sponsoring collegiate esports too?

Expedia has piloted partnerships with select university esports programs, but its current focus remains on professional-tier Expedia esports events.

How can I find Expedia esports event deals?

Follow Expedia’s social media channels or the official esports org accounts they partner with—most deals are announced 4-6 weeks before major tournaments.

Ready to Catch an Expedia Esports Event?

Whether you’re a die-hard Call of Duty fan or just curious about competitive gaming, Expedia esports events offer unmatched experiences for travelers. Sign up for Expedia’s rewards program today to unlock early access to event discounts and exclusive fan perks.

Pro tip: Book your tournament travel 3+ weeks in advance to score the biggest Expedia esports event discounts.