ABOUT ESTARS

THE HOME OF EDUCATIONAL ESPORTS

WELCOME TO ESTARS

An acclaimed educational esports company originating in the United Kingdom and now with a presence in the MENA region, on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

EStars has earned global recognition as a frontrunner in educational esports, offering accredited qualifications such as BTECs Level 2 and Level 3 in Esports.

With years of first-hand industry experience, we bring expertise directly into education, providing students with guidance and insights from esports professionals.

Additionally, we are formally accredited by Pearson Education, the world’s leading education provider.

ESTARS - THE STORY SO FAR

OUR HISTORY

Established in 2017, EStars began its journey by organising live events and tournaments across Europe. Recognising the increasing significance of esports and its educational potential, EStars transitioned into an educational esports company, aiming to provide students with a unique learning experience.
2018

3 ireland's estars tournament
Our inaugural tournament, held in 2018, was a resounding success as we journeyed across Ireland for the 3 Ireland EStars Tournament. The grand finale took place at the esteemed 3 Arena Dublin, marking Ireland's largest esports event to date. The champions not only claimed €25,000 but also earned a trip to Las Vegas.
2019

EStars featuring fortnite
In May 2018, working closely with Epic Games, we swiftly secured 8 major venues throughout England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales. "EStars featuring Fortnite" was launched to the public in November 2018.

In January 2019, we held the first event at Celtic Football Club. Further events were held throughout the UK and Ireland including at the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City and Stamford Bridge, home to Chelsea Football Club.

Thousands of people from all walks of life were given the opportunity to compete in a professional environment, for the chance of winning 25,000 GPB and a Tesla Model X experience.
2021

The dubai Mall
Located in The Dubai Mall, the world's largest mall attracting 80 million visitors annually, our store stood proud. Spanning 10,000 square feet, it pioneered the concept of an esports hall within the mall, offering a safe haven for gamers of all ages and skill levels.

We designated specific zones for popular games like PES 2021 and Apex Legends, among others. Additionally, we curated a luxurious VIP room furnished with four PlayStation 5 consoles and a stocked mini-fridge, catering to gamers who like to play in style!
2021

Launching in abu dhabi
With backing from AD Gaming and Twofour54, the EStars flagship office proudly resides within the esteemed Creative Hub in Abu Dhabi.

Esports stands as one of the most rapidly expanding sectors today, and the Yas Creative Hub offers a nurturing ecosystem for companies operating within the gaming and esports industry. Moreover, the hub facilitates mentorship programmes and networking opportunities, aiding both businesses and individuals in advancing their professional endeavours.
2022

Esports club
The Esports Club operates as an online platform focused on fostering the growth of essential skills through gaming tasks and activities. Additionally, the platform offers seminars, tournaments, and challenges for students. In collaboration with Aldar Education, EStars has forged a partnership to extend these opportunities to students across Abu Dhabi.

 This groundbreaking initiative is the first of its kind in the region, aiming to offer a platform for students to demonstrate their skills, nurture their talents, and engage with peers within their school community.
2023

Saudi Arabia
EStars is delighted to be forming prestigious partnerships in Saudi Arabia.

In May 2023, the first educational esports forum was hosted by EStars at VOV Gaming venue which celebrated the success and vision of EStars.
2024

accredited qualifications
2024 was an exciting year for EStars, we became the only company in the region accredited by Pearson to deliver BTEC qualifications online, opening up new opportunities for learners across the Middle East and beyond.

In addition, we launched a suite of Level 1 NOCN-accredited entry-level certificates, providing foundational knowledge in the business of esports to learners aged 10 and above.
2024

launching in Nigeria
Our global footprint expanded further with the formal launch of our Esports Club platform in Nigeria, bringing the excitement and potential of learning through gaming to a new audience.

Meet the Leadership Team

Meet the visionary team behind EStars’, a group of passionate innovators and educators dedicated to revolutionising education through the power of esports across Africa.

Mags Byrne

Founder and CEO, EStars

Mags Byrne is an award-winning Entrepreneur and a qualified lawyer. She is the founder and CEO of EStars. She has held CEO and Director level positions at the English Premier League, Football Association of England and England Boxing.

Stefania Genesis

Chief Operating Officer

Stefania, previously a litigator at a prominent London law firm, has extensive experience working with clients in both the sports and esports industries globally.

John Colville

Chief Technology Officer

John is a global leader in production, design and management and has over 30 years experience in the industry. He has been working with EStars since the company’s first production in 2018.

Gavin Petken

Board Member

Gavin is the Co-founder of Airstream Ventures and a venture capital investor with over 30 years’ experience across multiple asset classes and sectors.

Ed Woodward

Board Member

Ed is a qualified Chartered Accountant at PwC and a former Vice Chairman of Manchester United Football Club.

Joel Popoola

Consultant for Africa

Serving as the Chair of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Africa Group, Joel is an African business industry expert. He’s currently an executive postgraduate student at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, after successfully completed the Oxford Executive Leadership programme and Cambridge Jude Business School – Business Analytics: Decision Making Using Data.

OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Our goal is to establish ourselves as the premier and most renowned provider of educational esports globally. We are passionate about both esports and education, continuously striving to cultivate an inclusive atmosphere where students can engage in enjoyable learning experiences while working towards BTEC qualifications for their future.

We aspire to broaden our impact by forming partnerships with schools and institutions and offering innovative solutions tailored to the evolving demands of the education sector and the esports industry.

Some Partners we have worked with

By partnering with top football clubs, renowned educational institutions, and global corporate brands,  Estars is at the forefront of creating groundbreaking esports-driven learning programmes.

These collaborations empower students to master critical skills for the digital age, shaping a brighter, more innovative future.