ZOWIE has locked in a multi-year partnership with Riot Games to become the official monitor of the VALORANT Champions Tour Americas. The deal means every professional match at the Riot Games Arena in Los Angeles will be played on ZOWIE’s flagship hardware, starting with VCT Americas Stage 1 on 10 April.

ZOWIE is now the Official Monitor Partner of VCT Americas.​

With roots in the FPS community, ZOWIE ensures every product addresses the true demands of competitive play. We are dedicated to designing professional esports equipment for FPS players, and that’s why we’re partnering… pic.twitter.com/ri9v7sgXJ6

— ZOWIE Esports North America (@ZOWIEbyBenQUSA) April 7, 2026

The timing is deliberate. Stage 1 kicks off a high-stakes five-week stretch leading into the next global international event, and ZOWIE’s monitors will be front and centre throughout. It is a significant get for the BenQ-owned brand, placing its gear on one of the most visible stages in competitive VALORANT.

What Hardware The Pros Will Be Using

The monitor going on stage is the ZOWIE XL2566X+, which sits at the top of the company’s current lineup. It runs a 400Hz Fast TN panel at native 1080p and features DyAc 2 technology, ZOWIE’s proprietary motion clarity system designed to reduce blur during fast-paced gameplay. The monitor also includes enhanced colour modes tailored specifically for FPS titles.

For context, ZOWIE claims that 70% of professional FPS players use its products, a figure the brand has leaned on for years to reinforce its position in the competitive space. Whether or not you take that number at face value, the company’s presence at major tournaments is hard to dispute.

ZOWIE’s Broader Competitive Footprint

The VCT Americas deal does not exist in isolation. ZOWIE already maintains partnerships with professional organisations including ENVY and Sentinels, ensuring its monitors are validated through daily use in scrims and ranked play, not just on broadcast stages. That kind of integration matters because it means pro players are already familiar with the hardware before they sit down for an official match.

Read More: ESL Expands ZOWIE Partnership For All CS2 Events Through 2027

Read More: ZOWIE Signs Team Vitality IGL apEX As New CS2 Partner

ZOWIE was also an official partner at the StarLadder Major Budapest 2025, where the company outlined its broader strategy of embedding itself within competitive communities rather than simply slapping a logo on events.

The Monitor Arms Race in Esports

ZOWIE’s move comes during what has become an aggressive global race for monitor dominance across esports. LG Electronics recently renewed its decade-long partnership with Brazilian organisation MIBR to keep its UltraGear line in the competitive spotlight, while ASUS ROG has expanded through title sponsorships for the NECC National Championships and a full-season deal with BLAST for Counter-Strike 2.

Samsung has pushed into the Nordic scene through a partnership with Metizport, and AGON by AOC has secured collaborations with both Gaimin Gladiators and Method. Even consumer television brands like TCL are entering the space, most recently through a sponsorship with Brazilian powerhouse FURIA. Display technology has clearly become a competitive differentiator that hardware companies are willing to invest heavily in, and locking down a league-wide partnership like VCT Americas is about as high-profile as it gets.

Aim Challenge Gives Fans a Shot at VIP Access

To mark the partnership launch, ZOWIE has teamed up with ENVY and 2023 VALORANT World Champion Max “Demon1” Mazanov for the Aim Challenge, running from now until 5 May. The challenge tasks players with clearing 50 bots in the VALORANT Range as quickly and precisely as possible.

The top three scorers will each receive an XL2566X+ monitor. The overall winner gets a trip to the VCT Americas Stage 1 Qualifiers at Riot Games Arena, VIP meet-and-greet access with ENVY players, a signed jersey from Demon1, and limited-edition ZOWIE merchandise. The challenge will also have an on-site presence at the VCT Americas fan event in Los Angeles during the Stage 1 Playoffs, where attendees can try the XL2566X+ at the ZOWIE booth.

What This Means For VCT Americas Stage 1

With Stage 1 beginning on 10 April, the partnership goes live almost immediately. Bear Jemison, Head of VALORANT Esports Americas, noted that having ZOWIE’s monitors as part of the competitive fleet will elevate the experience for teams heading into a stretch that directly feeds into the next global event. For ZOWIE, the deal is a clear statement of intent in a crowded market, and for fans tuning in, it is another layer of production value on one of the biggest stages in tactical shooter esports.

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ESL FACEIT Group has expanded its ZOWIE partnership, confirming the gaming brand as the exclusive Official Monitor Supplier for its major Counter-Strike 2 tournaments across 2026 and 2027. If you watch or follow IEM or ESL Pro League, this deal directly affects the hardware powering the biggest matches on the calendar.

The renewed agreement builds on an initial collaboration in 2025 and now locks in ZOWIE’s flagship XL2586X+ monitors across the full ESL Pro Tour ecosystem for the next two years.

ZOWIE Named Exclusive Monitor Supplier For Major CS2 Events

Under the expanded deal, ZOWIE will serve as the exclusive official monitor supplier for Intel Extreme Masters and ESL Pro League events worldwide throughout 2026 and 2027. That means every major Counter-Strike 2 tournament run by ESL FACEIT Group in that window will use the same display setup on stage.

At the centre of the agreement is the ZOWIE XL2586X+, a 600Hz monitor designed specifically for competitive FPS play. The model was already deployed at IEM events in 2025, and its continued use signals a longer-term alignment between the tournament organiser and the BenQ-owned esports brand.

According to the official release, the monitors will power all major CS2 tournaments within ESL FACEIT Group’s ecosystem, aiming to deliver both elite competitive performance for players and a premium viewing experience for fans.

Events Covered Across The ESL Pro Tour

The expanded partnership stretches across the full ESL Pro Tour circuit. That includes Intel Extreme Masters events in Cologne, China, Rio, Atlanta and Kraków across 2026 and 2027.

It also covers ESL Pro League Seasons 23 and 24 in 2026, followed by Seasons 25 and 26 in 2027. Season 23 is scheduled to begin on March 1st, marking one of the first major competitions under the renewed agreement.

In addition, reporting confirms that ZOWIE will supply its XL2586X+ monitors for all IEM events taking place this year and next year, including June’s IEM Cologne Major, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the Counter-Strike calendar.

Earlier in 2026, the two companies had already worked together at IEM Kraków, ESL FACEIT Group’s first Tier 1 event of the year, setting the tone for this broader renewal.

What The 600Hz Monitor Means For Pro Play

The XL2586X+ monitor is built around a 600Hz refresh rate, positioning it at the cutting edge of esports display technology. For professional Counter-Strike 2 players, higher refresh rates can translate to smoother motion clarity and more responsive on-screen feedback, particularly in fast-paced aim duels.

Andreas Jernberg, VP of Brand Partnership Development at ESL FACEIT Group, said the expanded partnership allows the organiser to continue delivering top-tier competition environments. He highlighted the 600Hz refresh rate and visual clarity of the XL2586X+ as being at the forefront of esports technology across the 2026 and 2027 CS2 calendar.

Jay Wu, President of BenQ Europe B.V., added that ZOWIE’s mission remains focused on performance-driven equipment for competitive players. He said the extended partnership enables the brand to contribute meaningfully to the Counter-Strike ecosystem by delivering consistent, high-performance tournament environments worldwide.

Broadcast Integration And Fan Activations

Beyond simply supplying monitors, ZOWIE will be integrated across event broadcasts and on-site activations. That includes brand exposure on livestreams, stage takeovers at events, and in-person product experiences.

Fans can also expect ticket giveaways and chances to win ZOWIE products during upcoming tournaments. These activations are designed to connect the hardware seen on stage with the wider Counter-Strike community watching online or attending in person.

ZOWIE’s Wider Presence In Counter-Strike

The partnership expansion fits into a broader push from ZOWIE within the Counter-Strike scene. In February, the brand partnered with Team Vitality’s in-game leader Dan “apEX” Madesclaire. As part of that deal, the four-time Major winner is set to assist with product development and participate in sports science testing.

ZOWIE has also collaborated with tournament organisers such as StarLadder in similar agreements, providing peripherals for use at competitive events.

With ESL FACEIT Group locking in ZOWIE as its exclusive monitor supplier through 2027, the visual standard for top-tier Counter-Strike 2 events now looks firmly set. For players, it means consistent tournament setups. For fans, it means the same high-refresh hardware powering every big moment across the next two seasons.

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Gaming peripherals brand ZOWIE has officially announced a new partnership with Team Vitality’s in-game leader Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, bringing one of Counter-Strike’s most decorated competitors into its growing roster of player collaborators.

The move sees the four-time Major champion and current IGL of Team Vitality step into a more hands-on role with the brand, contributing directly to product development and esports-focused research.

Today, we’re proud to welcome a significant new partner to the ZOWIE family: Dan “apEX” Madesclaire.

With over 35 international titles and 4 Major championships, apEX stands as one of the most accomplished players in Counter-Strike history. His legacy is built not only on… pic.twitter.com/i0SOO7eiYO

— ZOWIE Esports Europe (@ZOWIE_EU) February 14, 2026

ZOWIE Confirms Partnership With apEX

The announcement, shared by ZOWIE Esports Europe on February 14, confirms that apEX will work closely with internal teams to refine professional-grade gear designed for high-level competition.

In its statement, ZOWIE highlighted apEX’s career achievements, pointing to more than 35 international titles and four Major championships. Beyond trophies, the brand emphasised his leadership, discipline, and deep understanding of elite Counter-Strike performance as key reasons for the collaboration.

As part of the partnership, apEX will provide structured feedback during the product development process, participate in sports science testing, and share insights drawn from competing at the highest level of the game.

Following the reveal, apEX publicly thanked ZOWIE and said he was “so excited” to begin working with the brand.

A Shift From Organisation-First Partnerships

One notable aspect of this deal is that ZOWIE has signed apEX as an individual player rather than partnering exclusively with an entire esports organisation.

Historically, ZOWIE has often collaborated with full teams and rosters. In January 2026, for example, the brand partnered with North American organisation ENVY, becoming its official monitor partner.

By bringing apEX onboard directly, ZOWIE is tapping into the perspective of one of Counter-Strike’s most experienced in-game leaders, rather than limiting collaboration to team-wide sponsorship arrangements.

apEX also joins a small group of high-profile Counter-Strike ambassadors associated with the brand. Fellow French player Richard Papillon, better known as shox, has represented ZOWIE in recent years, frequently appearing in product showcases at international events.

ZOWIE’s Continued Investment In Esports Science

In recent years, ZOWIE has leaned heavily into research-backed design for competitive players. In June 2025, the company opened an esports science lab in the Netherlands, aiming to apply sports science principles to the development of gaming peripherals.

The partnership with apEX fits neatly into that strategy. His participation in sports science testing is expected to support further refinement of monitors and other peripherals used at top-tier tournaments across multiple titles.

ZOWIE has also remained closely aligned with major esports events in 2026. In January, it supplied its monitors for IEM Kraków 2026, where Team Vitality secured victory and reinforced its position as one of the world’s leading Counter-Strike teams.

With apEX now formally part of the ZOWIE family, the collaboration signals an ongoing push to combine elite player insight with performance-driven hardware design. For competitive CS2 players, that could mean future gear shaped directly by one of the scene’s most accomplished IGLs.

The post ZOWIE Signs Team Vitality IGL apEX As New CS2 Partner appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Leading technology brand BenQ today announced its collaboration with PUBG Corporation for the PUBG Global Championship 2019 – the culmination of PUBG Esports’ first official season – where BenQ’s ZOWIE XL2546 will become the Official Monitor of the tournament. This collaboration is a continuation of the partnership between BenQ and PUBG Corporation following the successful PUBG Nations Cup 2019.

Under the terms of the agreement, the ZOWIE XL2546 will be used exclusively by the players in the tournament for an immersive esports experience. This partnership was brokered by Lagardère Sports, the exclusive sponsorship rights agent for PUBG’s Nations Cup and Global Championship.

This is the fifth collaboration between BenQ and PUBG Corporation, and the first time at the Global Championship, with the best PUBG teams in the world. The ZOWIE XL2546 monitor is the highest standard for top professional gamers, providing the smoothest ever experience at a competitive setting. 

“We are very glad to have BenQ as our exclusive monitor sponsor again.” said Julian Schwartz, Central Esports Business Development Manager for PUBG Corporation. “The PUBG Global Championship is the most important event of the year for us, so we needed to have the one of the best monitors on the market for our game live on stage. This is why we chose the professional grade products in the BenQ ZOWIE XL Series for the best PUBG players in the world to play on.

Already boasting a native 240Hz refresh rate monitor that provides a flawless view of consistent fast-motion gameplay, the ZOWIE XL2546 esports gaming monitors are also powered with proprietary DyAc Technology that promises the clearest motion images. Most importantly, the two most favoured features of the BenQ ZOWIE XL series by PUBG players – the Black eQualizer and Color Vibrance – help players better spot their enemies on the field, and give the adjustability they need to suit their preferences. 

Taking place across three weekends, beginning with a Group Stage (8th – 10th November 2019) and Semifinals (15th – 17th November 2019) held at the OGN Super Arena in Manhattan Beach, CA, the world’s best PUBG teams will then battle for the inaugural season-ending championship title at the Grand Finals (23 – 24 November), taking place at the Oakland Arena in Oakland, CA.  

The PGC Group Stage will see 32 teams face-off from PUBG Esports leagues around the world. 24 teams will then progress to the Semifinal Stage and the Grand Finals will have 16 teams compete for the honour of being titled the PUBG Global Champion with a prize pool of US $2,000,000.

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