Paysafe has entered into a new esports partnership with Berlin International Gaming (BIG), positioning its prepaid solution, PaysafeCard, as the official payments sponsor across the organisation’s competitive gaming ecosystem.
The agreement reflects a broader strategic push by payments providers to deepen their presence in gaming and esports, where digital-native users are increasingly seeking alternative payment methods that prioritise security, privacy, and ease of use. By integrating PaysafeCard into BIG’s merchandising ecosystem, the partnership also signals a move towards embedding payments directly within fan engagement channels.
Under the collaboration, PaysafeCard will be integrated into BIG’s online shop, enabling fans to make purchases using prepaid eCash rather than traditional card-based payments. This approach aligns with growing demand among younger gaming audiences for payment options that do not require bank account or credit card details, particularly in regions with strong prepaid adoption.
Beyond payments integration, the partnership includes brand placement across BIG’s teams competing in titles such as Fortnite, Counter-Strike 2, and Trackmania, alongside joint marketing campaigns and community-focused activations. These initiatives are expected to centre on incentivising usage of PaysafeCard within gaming ecosystems, including targeted promotions in select European markets.
Alisa Barber, Chief Marketing Officer at Paysafe, highlighted the alignment between the company’s payments strategy and gaming culture, noting that esports partnerships offer a channel to connect payment experiences with digital entertainment ecosystems.
The move comes as FinTech firms increasingly target gaming platforms as high-growth distribution channels. Esports organisations, in turn, are diversifying revenue streams beyond sponsorships and media rights by integrating commerce and payments more directly into their platforms.
For Paysafe, the partnership strengthens its positioning in the alternative payments segment, particularly in prepaid and eCash solutions, while providing access to a highly engaged, global user base. For BIG, the collaboration adds a payments layer to its fan engagement strategy, reflecting a wider trend of convergence between FinTech infrastructure and digital entertainment platforms.