Galaxy Racer is an esports and gaming organization based in Dubai, UAE and founded in 2019 by Paul Roy.[1] As of 2023, Galaxy Racer's competitive esports division, Nigma Galaxy, has a roster of 13 esports teams playing Battlegrounds Mobile India, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, Fortnite, Free Fire, League of Legends, League of Legends: Wild Rift, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and PUBG Mobile. It also has partnerships with various companies and organizations such as La Liga and Polaris Sports.

Galaxy Racer
Games
Founded2019 (2019)
LocationDubai, United Arab Emirates
Colors   
CEOPaul Roy
Websitegalaxyracer.gg

History

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In 2019, Galaxy Racer Esports together with its partners formed the first female esports team in the Middle East. The team consisted of five members: Madha Naz, Arwa Hameed, Reem Faisal, Fatima Said and Amna Raad Alameri.[2][3][4][5]

On 12–13 December 2019, Galaxy Racer and Meydan One organized the first interschool esports tournament in the Middle East featuring FIFA 20. The tournament was part of the 2019 GIRLGAMER Esports Festival.[6] On 19–22 February 2020, Galaxy Racer organized the final of the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival, where gamers competed in Counter Strike: Global Offensive and League of Legends. The event was held at the Meydan Grandstand in Dubai.[7][5]

In 2021, Team Galaxy Racer won the Free Fire India Championship (FFIC). Team Galaxy Racer captained by VasiyoCRJ, Golden, BarcaBoi, Aman and MaryX scored 70 points ahead of Team Chaos (68 points) and Team Elite (67 points), who came in as first and second runners-up, respectively.[8] Galaxy Racer received a prize pool of Rs 35,000,000. In addition to the prize money, the Galaxy Racer team got the opportunity to qualify for the Free Fire World Series tournament in Singapore.[9]

From 18 April to 21 April 2021 Galaxy Racer organized Fortnite tournament in Australia.[10] In July 2021, Allan Fang was appointed as the organization's new chief marketing officer (CMO).[11][12]

In the same month, Galaxy Racer won the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Challengers 2 Stage 3 for the Philippines. Galaxy Racer were directly selected for the VCT Challengers tournament for the Philippines after losing to Bren Esports in the Challengers 1 Grand Finals in early July 2021. Galaxy Racer won against Sierra Esports Atlas and Alpha Esports Pro to advance to the VCT Challengers Grand Finals. In the grand final with a score of 3:1, they defeated the SV Empire team, which in turn defeated UCFC Esports and Oasis Gaming. Galaxy Racer received a prize of 100,000 pesos and a spot in the 2021 VCT Stage 3 Challengers Playoffs for South East Asia.[13]

From 1 to 4 August 2021, Galaxy Racer partnered with football player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and his brother William-Fils to host an interregional Fortnite: Battle Royale tournament for Europe and the Middle East called The Aubameyang Cup.[14]

At the beginning of August 2021, the PUBG Mobile and Battlegrounds Mobile India roster for Galaxy Racer was changed. The team for PUBG Mobile included Raouf Abdellah, Maad Ali Akshar, Reshar Dawid, Muslim Ahmed Jawad and Mohammed Qasim,[15] while the Battlegrounds Mobile India team consisted of Mohammed Owais Lakhani, Aakash Anandani, Hemanth Sethi, Harshit Mahajan and Yogesh Yadav.[15]

On 15 August 2021, the Galaxy Racer team from Southeast Asia became the BTS Pro Series: SEA Season 7 champion by defeating Fnatic in the grand final.[16] Galaxy Racer received a $18,000 prize plus an additional $2,000 for their group stage victories.[16]

In September 2021, Team Nigma and Galaxy Racer merged under the name Nigma Galaxy.[17][18][19]

Galaxy Racer along with eLaLiga Santander organized the Beat the Best international tournaments series for FIFA 22 and FIFA Online 4 players from December 2021 to May 2022.[20] From 2 to 6 March 2022, Galaxy Racer hosted the GAMERS GALAXY: Dota 2 Invitational Series in Dubai.[21][22] In the first round, the Nigma Galaxy team played against Tundra Esports[23] and, in the final gaming result, the Boom Esports team won the tournament.[24]

In the spring of 2022, Galaxy Racer established HER Galaxy, a platform for female-identifying gamers, headquartered in Los Angeles.[25] In the summer of 2022, Galaxy Racer launched Pakistan's first esports league, the Supreme Galactic League, which took place from August to October 2022.[26][27]

As of 2023, the esports organization has its representatives in the UAE, Indonesia,[28][29][30][31] India, Malaysia,[32] Pakistan, the Philippines,[33] Thailand,[34][35][36] United States and other locations.

Rosters

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BGMI

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Nigma Galaxy BGMI roster
Players Coaches
Handle Name Nationality
ATF Halim, Muhammad Malaysia
Head coach

Muhammad Halim


Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Substitute
  •   Injury / Illness
  

Roster updated 11 February 2023.

CS:GO

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Nigma Galaxy CS:GO[a] roster
Players Coaches
Handle Name Nationality
Kat Vašková, Katarína Slovakia
Tory Kazieva, Viktoria Russia
JTR Júnior, Ricardo Portugal
ANa Dumbravă, Ana Romania
Vilga Klyuenkova, Ksenia Russia
Twenty3 Timonina, Alexandra Russia
Head coach

Ricardo Júnior


Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Substitute
  •   Injury / Illness
  

Roster updated 11 February 2023.

Dota 2

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Nigma Galaxy Dota 2 roster
Players Coaches
Handle Name Nationality
Yuma Langlet, Yuma Argentina
Mikey Mesbah, Kasra Iran
MinD_ContRoL Ivanov, Ivan Bulgaria
GH Merhej, Maroun Lebanon
KuroKy Takhasomi, Kuro Germany
Head coach

Park Tae-won


Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Substitute
  •   Injury / Illness
  

Roster updated 26 October 2023.

Fortnite

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Nigma Galaxy Fortnite roster
Players Coaches
Handle Name Nationality
Queasy Cvetkovic, Aleksa Serbia
Teeq Radzio, Maciej Poland
Souriano -, - United Arab Emirates
Malibuca Yakovenko, Danila Russia
Head coach
  • Vacant

Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Substitute
  •   Injury / Illness
  

Roster updated 11 February 2023.

Free Fire

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India team

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Nigma Galaxy Free Fire roster
Players Coaches
Handle Name Nationality
Golden Chavan, Atharva India
Head coach
  • Vacant

Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Substitute
  •   Injury / Illness
  

Roster updated 11 February 2023.

Thailand team

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Nigma Galaxy Free Fire roster
Players Coaches
Handle Name Nationality
DAREN Kongkamnerd, Sittinon Thailand
XPENSION Wongsoongnoen, Kasama Thailand
STOP Chalongkun, Thinnabat Thailand
FIWGOD Chaitip, Titipong Thailand
CARAMEL Khunachon, Sitthichai Thailand
DEW Rompochai, Rattapong Thailand
Head coach
  • Vacant

Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Substitute
  •   Injury / Illness
  

Roster updated 11 February 2023.

League of Legends

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Nigma Galaxy[b] LoL roster
Players Coaches
Handle Name Nationality
Kerberos Ram, Kallon United Kingdom
Cipher -, - Lebanon
Pabu Pavone, Jackson Australia
Ceres Mascarenhas, Evan Australia
Head coach
  • Vacant

Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Substitute
  •   Injury / Illness
  

Roster updated 11 February 2023.

League of Legends: Wild Rift

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Nigma Galaxy LoLWR roster
Players Coaches
Handle Name Nationality
Hide Baguino, Sean Philippines
Aaron Bingay, Aaron Philippines
Power Barbadillo, Jon Philippines
Juschie Tan, Justine Philippines
DemonKite Dajao, Golden Philippines
Head coach
  • Vacant

Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Substitute
  •   Injury / Illness
  

Roster updated 11 February 2023.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

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Nigma Galaxy ML:BB roster
Players Coaches
Handle Name Nationality
Mozia -, - Indonesia
Head coach
  • Vacant

Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Substitute
  •   Injury / Illness
  

Roster updated 11 February 2023.

PUBG Mobile

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Nigma Galaxy PUBG Mobile roster
Players Coaches
Handle Name Nationality
Savior Halim, Muhammad Malaysia
MaxKasH Anandani, Akash India
Head coach

Muhammad Halim


Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Substitute
  •   Injury / Illness
  

Roster updated 11 February 2023.

Valorant

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Nigma Galaxy Valorant roster
Players Coaches
Handle Name Nationality
Pizzafps Ardiente, Jehiel Philippines
Tr1cks In Lee, Kyung Philippines
Head coach
  • Vacant

Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Substitute
  •   Injury / Illness
  

Roster updated 11 February 2023.

Partnerships and collaborations

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In 2023, Galaxy Racer announced its partnership with Polaris Sports, an organization dedicated to protecting the commercial rights of athletes.[37] As part of the partnership, Polaris Sports becomes an investor and shareholder in Galaxy Racer.[38] In December 2022, Galaxy Racer signed a 15-year partnership with Spanish La Liga to work on the sports media scene.[39][40][41]

In May 2022, Galaxy Racer partnered with the Collegiate Center for Esports (CCE) to create first esports tournament in the Philippines.[42] In August 2022, they partnered with Empire Records to form the music label GXR Records.[43][44][45]

In January 2021, Galaxy Racer announced its partnership with eLaliga.[46] In February 2021, Galaxy Racer acquired a majority stake in Philippine esports and gaming agency DreamFyre.[47][48][49][50] In May 2021, they have entered a partnership with gaming company Techxhub for its PUBG Mobile players.[51]

See also

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References

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Notes

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  1. ^ Female team
  2. ^ MENA team

Citations

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  1. ^ "Esports Powerhouse, Galaxy Racer". Bloomberg News. 30 May 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  2. ^ Monks, Kieron (21 March 2020). "The Middle East's first female esports team debuts at Girl Gamer 2020". CNN. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  3. ^ Bridge, Sam (8 November 2019). "Middle East's first female eSports team to be formed". Arabian Business. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Meet the UAE's first female esports team". CNN. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  5. ^ a b AlHumiri, Sara (12 August 2020). "We're obsessed with this all-female MENA gaming team". Cosmopolitan Middle East. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  6. ^ "Dubai to host the first inter-school esports tournaments in the Middle East". PC Magazine. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  7. ^ Ahmed, Ashfaq (13 February 2020). "Dubai to host first ever L.O.L and Little Tikes events at GIRLGAMER Esports festival world finals". Gulf News. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  8. ^ Ray, Bodhisatwa (23 March 2021). "Galaxy Racer wins Free Fire India Championship (FFIC) 2021 Spring". TechRadar. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Galaxy Racer crowned champions of Free Fire India Championship 2021 Spring by Garena". Sportskeeda. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Galaxy Racer Announce Record Prize-Money for Independent Fortnite Tournament". PRWeb. Melbourne, Australia. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  11. ^ Lozano, Kurt (19 July 2021). "Former AirAsia, EVOS exec Allan Phang joins Galaxy Racer as CMO". Yahoo!. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  12. ^ Talbot, Paul. "The Marketing Challenge for Esports". Forbes. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  13. ^ Lozano, Kurt (26 July 2021). "Galaxy Racer win VCT Stage 3 Challengers 2 Philippines". Yahoo!. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  14. ^ Lozano, Kurt (27 July 2021). "Galaxy Racer partner Arsenal star Aubameyang to host Fortnite tourney". Yahoo!. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  15. ^ a b "GXR Esports reveals new rosters for PUBG Mobile and BGMI". Sportskeeda. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  16. ^ a b Lozano, Kurt (16 August 2021). "Galaxy Racer reverse sweep Fnatic to win BTS Pro Series SEA Season 7". Yahoo!. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  17. ^ "Nigma Galaxy to focus on Middle East, Asia opportunities". Reuters. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  18. ^ Stubbs, Mike (20 September 2021). "Team Nigma Merges With Galaxy Racer Renames To Nigma Galaxy For Dota 2 Events". Forbes. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  19. ^ Lozano, Kurt (21 September 2021). "Team Nigma, Galaxy Racer announce merger, form Nigma Galaxy". Yahoo!. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  20. ^ "eLaLiga Santander kicks off its 21/22 international esports project". La Liga. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  21. ^ Lozano, Kurt (17 February 2022). "Galaxy Racer to host Dota 2 Invitational offline in Dubai". Yahoo!. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  22. ^ Sultan, Haroon (17 February 2022). "Galaxy Racer announces MENA's largest DOTA 2 tournament in Dubai". PC Magazine. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  23. ^ Sultan, Haroon (4 March 2022). "Dota 2's top teams clash at the GAMERS GALAXY: Dota 2 Invitational Series Dubai 2022". PCMag. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  24. ^ Stubbs, Mike (6 March 2022). "Boom Esports Win Gamers Galaxy Invitational 'Dota 2' Tournament". Forbes. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  25. ^ "Galaxy racer, a leading esports giant announces expansion into North America to invest in emerging female esports talent". Associated Press. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  26. ^ "Galaxy Racer announces Pakistan's first professional Esports league". Geo Super. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  27. ^ "Galaxy Racer launches first-ever professional esports league". Business Recorder. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  28. ^ "Umumkan Ekspansi ke Indonesia, Galaxy Racer Bertekad Kembangkan Industri Esports". Warta Ekonomi (in Indonesian). 28 April 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  29. ^ "Organisasi esports Galaxy Racer siap masuki pasar Indonesia". Antara (news agency) (in Indonesian). 29 April 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  30. ^ "Galaxy Racer Masuk Indonesia, Jajaki Pengembangan Bisnis Game Masa Depan". Suara (in Indonesian). 2 May 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  31. ^ "Galaxy Racer Berekspansi ke Indonesia, Siap Ramaikan Skena Esports Tanah Air". Suara (in Indonesian). 30 April 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  32. ^ Lozano, Kurt (13 January 2022). "Galaxy Racer to invest US$10m in Malaysian esports". Yahoo!. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  33. ^ "Galaxy Racer announces entering PH market, reveals plans for gaming, esports". ABS-CBN. 28 April 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  34. ^ "กาแล็กซี่ เลเซอร์ รุกตลาดอีสปอร์ตไทย - เตรียมจัด 3 อีเวนต์พิเศษปีนี้". Khaosod (in Thai). 28 April 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  35. ^ "Galaxy Racer ประกาศเสริมแกร่งพัฒนาธุรกิจอีสปอร์ตไทย". Thansettakij (in Thai). 28 April 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  36. ^ "กาแล็กซี่ เลเซอร์ รุกตลาดอีสปอร์ตไทย - เตรียมจัด 3 อีเวนต์พิเศษปีนี้". MSN (in Thai). 28 April 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  37. ^ "Galaxy Racer and Polaris Sports: A Winning Partnership for Engaging Gen Z". KIAH. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  38. ^ Ramanunni, Jalaja (11 January 2023). "Galaxy Racer partners with Polaris Sports to engage with Gen Z". Campaign Middle East. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  39. ^ "Dubai's Galaxy Racer signs $3.1bn deal with La Liga". Arabian Business. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  40. ^ "LaLiga teams with Galaxy Racer to transform the sports media scene in MENA region and Indian Subcontinent". La Liga. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  41. ^ "LaLiga teams with Galaxy Racer to transform sports media scene in MENA region and Indian subcontinent". Refinitiv Middle East. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  42. ^ Magallon, Reynald (7 May 2022). "CCE partners with Galaxy Racer for inaugural season". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  43. ^ Alazzawi, Noor (22 September 2022). "GXR Records: The New Indie Record Label Bridging the Gap Between the Middle East and Asia". ITP Media Group. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  44. ^ Salian, Neesha (29 August 2022). "GXR Records, Dubai latest indie music label, to showcase regional artists globally". Gulf Business. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  45. ^ Lakhpatwala, Zaira (5 October 2022). "GXR sees itself as a facilitator for artists rather than a record label, says its boss". Arab News. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  46. ^ "Dubai-based Galaxy Racer announces partnership with eLaliga". Government of Dubai Media Office. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  47. ^ Cabuag, Vg (3 February 2021). "Galaxy Racer buys majority stake in local eSports firm". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  48. ^ "Gaming firm Galaxy Racer acquires majority stake of PH's DreamFyre company". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  49. ^ "eSports: Galaxy Racer obtains majority stake in local eSports group, boosts PH operations". Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network. 8 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  50. ^ Tristan Yumol, David (10 February 2021). "World esports company Galaxy Racer acquires majority stake of PH rising esports agency DreamFyre". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  51. ^ Daniels, Tom (18 May 2021). "Galaxy Racer strikes Techxhub partnership". Esports Insider. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
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