Esports Foundation extends Shikenso partnership for 2026

The Esports Foundation has appointed Shikenso as its sponsorship media valuation partner for the 2026 Esports World Cup and the 2026 Esports Nations Cup. The agreement continues a measurement relationship that began with the 2025 Esports World Cup and applies Shikenso’s framework to the Nations Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the first time.

Shikenso will quantify sponsor exposure across broadcasts, creator streams and wider media, delivering those metrics to the Esports Foundation and its brand partners. The firm will convert visible branding and mentions into numerical valuations by tracking how often a logo appears, how long it is on screen and how it is discussed during coverage.

The company uses computer vision to detect logos and on-screen branding alongside AI-driven tools that monitor commentator audio, chat activity, broader press coverage and brand-lift surveys. Measurement will cover major streaming and short-form platforms including Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, Kick, Bilibili and Douyin; Snapchat has been added to the platform list for the first time. Shikenso will also monitor streams from players and creators who cover event activity to capture influencer reach.

Separately, the Esports Foundation has contracted Stream Hatchet to measure livestream viewership and audience engagement for the Esports World Cup. Stream Hatchet’s role will focus on how people watch and interact with livestream content, distinct from sponsorship valuation.

Arwin Fallah-Shirazi, co-CEO and co-founder of Shikenso, described the partnership expansion as a response to growing platform coverage and audience reach, and said the firm aims to present a fuller picture of sponsor visibility to partners.

The Esports Nations Cup is scheduled to take place in Riyadh during the 2026 season. The Foundation plans to use the collected data to assess sponsorship return on investment and to inform activation plans for brands across the 2026 events. Esports Leaders Paris will take place on August 21 at the Hôtel du Collectionneur during the World Cup closing weekend, bringing together senior industry decision-makers.