Major League Gaming (MLG), a fully integrated eSports operator and streaming network, and IDG World Expo, a leading producer of tradeshows and events, announced today a multi-year partnership to co-produce the MLG World Finals, to be held this year October 16 – 18, in New Orleans.

The MLG World Finals is an opportunity to connect with thousands of passionate consumers, eSports athletes and social media influencers in the fastest-growing sector of interactive entertainment, eSports. This unique three-day event will feature live competition, exclusive content reveals and best-in-class publishers, set against the backdrop of the most exciting eSports tournament of the year and streamed to millions at home.

“We are excited to be partnering with IDG World Expo,” said Sundance DiGiovanni, CEO of MLG. “The World Finals is a unique event to cap off an incredible 2015 for MLG, and a strategic partnership with IDG will allow us to bring together the largest collection of eSports enthusiasts, gamers and publishers to celebrate one of the largest gaming events of the year.”

“We are thrilled to partner with MLG on its amazing World Finals event,” said Mary Dolaher, Chief Executive Officer of IDG World Expo. “This year’s event will offer players, fans, and sponsors an incredible opportunity to connect and participate in one of the fastest growing and most ground-breaking sports in history. MLG is the most important company in the eSports business – which generates more than half a billion dollars each year – and the MLG World Finals will be the place to be for everyone who’s anyone in eSports in 2015.”

This historic weekend marks the 100th live event in MLG’s history and will bring together the world’s best Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and Dota 2 teams to compete for over $500,000 in prize money. Hosted at the historic Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the three-day celebration will bring together eSports fans from all over the globe to celebrate the players, teams and games they love.