LOS ANGELES, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enthusiast Gaming Holdings Inc. (“Enthusiast Gaming” or the “Company”) (TSX: EGLX), a leading gaming media and entertainment company, proudly announces the successful conclusion of Rising Stars 2025, its annual creator competition hosted by Luminosity Gaming. The event culminated with a high-energy livestream finale on April 18 that aired simultaneously on Twitch, Kick, and YouTube, spotlighting five standout finalists and capping off the most successful season in the program’s history.

The season was presented by Elgato, with key sponsorship from Cash App, Corsair, CTRL, Fisher College, FocusFuel, JLab, Juvee Energy Drink, PüK Gaming, Sprecher Brewing Company, Starforge Systems, and U.GG. Their support enabled brand-building opportunities, professional development, and meaningful exposure for thousands of contestants, delivered through custom content, branded segments, logo placements, and social media activations that authentically connected each brand to a highly engaged creator audience.

After weeks of submissions, creative challenges, and community engagement, the Rising Stars 2025 competition, featuring more than 5,800 entrants from across the gaming landscape, culminated in a dramatic, high-energy finale live broadcast to fans worldwide. The final five creators, Shortypie, Astrobounder, BPala, CozyZozie, and BillyGoat, competed in a series of on-camera challenges before the final three advanced to the campaign’s final “Split or Steal” segment. In a powerful and unexpected twist, the three finalists—BillyGoat, CozyZozie, and BPala—chose to split the grand prize equally and each earned the title of Rising Star and a content creator agreement with Luminosity Gaming. This live decision, made in front of thousands of viewers, was widely celebrated by fans and reflected the spirit of collaboration, integrity, and mutual respect that defined the entire season.

The Rising Stars 2025 campaign amassed over 500 million social media impressions, marking a new high for Luminosity’s creator programming. The campaign trended multiple times on X (formerly Twitter) and drew millions of views across platforms through short-form content, behind-the-scenes clips, sponsored livestreams, and community-driven storytelling.

“Rising Stars 2025 shattered every record we’ve had for a creator competition,” said Alex Gonzalez, Chief Marketing Officer at Enthusiast Gaming. “More than just a competition, this season showcased the creativity, inclusivity, and collaborative spirit that define not only Luminosity, but the future of the creator economy. We’re extremely excited to welcome these three new Rising Stars to Luminosity.”

“This whole experience still feels surreal,” said Rising Stars 2025 Winner, Zoe ‘CozyZozie. “Joining Luminosity and getting the chance to collaborate with brands I’ve admired for years is truly a dream come true. It marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter where I can continue growing, create meaningful content alongside incredible creators, and stay true to what makes my content uniquely mine. I’m beyond excited to turn this passion into a sustainable, long-term career.”

As newly signed creators, all three winners will immediately begin collaborating with Luminosity and its brand partners, launching new content series, engaging in brand campaigns, collaborating with Luminosity’s creator network, and continuing to grow their platforms within a professionally supported environment.

About Enthusiast Gaming
Enthusiast Gaming is the leading gaming media and entertainment company in North America, building the largest platform for video game enthusiasts and esports fans to connect and compete worldwide. Combining the elements of its five core pillars: creators, content, communities, games, and experiences, Enthusiast Gaming provides a unique opportunity for marketers to create integrated brand solutions to connect with coveted Gen Z and Millennial audiences. Through its proprietary mix of digital media, content and gaming assets, Enthusiast Gaming continues to grow its network of communities, reflecting the scale and diversity of gaming enthusiasts today.

Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains certain statements that may constitute forward-looking information under applicable securities laws. All statements, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results, developments, performance or achievements that Enthusiast Gaming anticipates or expects may or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking information. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” (or other variations of the forgoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s strategic initiatives, events and campaigns.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, including, but not limited to, expectations and assumptions concerning interest and foreign exchange rates; capital efficiencies, cost saving and synergies; growth and growth rates; the success in the esports and media industry; and the Company’s growth plan. While Enthusiast Gaming considers these assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; the timing and filing of the final base shelf prospectus and corresponding Registration Statement; the potential offering of any Securities by the Company; uncertainty with respect to the completion of any future offering; the ability to obtain applicable regulatory approvals for any contemplated offerings; the ability of the Company to negotiate and complete future funding transactions; adverse industry events; and future legislative, tax and regulatory developments. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. For more information on the risk, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause anticipated opportunities and actual results to differ materially, please refer to the public filings of Enthusiast Gaming which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect our expectations as of the date hereof, and thus are subject to change thereafter. Enthusiast Gaming disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Neither the TSX Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts
Enthusiast Gaming: Alex Macdonald, Chief Financial Officer
Investors: investor@enthusiastgaming.com
Media: press@enthusiastgaming.com