The International Esports Federation proudly announces the successful licensing of 14 official referees through the IESF Referee Academy, marking another major milestone in the advancement of the World of Esports officiating standards.
Online Foundation Course
All candidates began their journey by completing the official IESF Referee Academy Online Foundation Course at referee.iesf.org. The online program introduced participants to the core principles of esports officiating, competition integrity, and professional conduct, establishing a strong foundation for their future as certified referees.
In-Person Academy in Busan, Republic of Korea
In December 2024, selected candidates from IESF Member Federations participated in an intensive three-day Referee Academy held in Busan, Republic of Korea. The program included practical workshops, case studies, and standardized refereeing methodologies, all led by international instructors. Participants gained valuable hands-on experience and mentorship to prepare them for real-world officiating.
Regional Qualifiers Experience – 2025
Following the academy, participants applied their training as appointed referees during the 2025 Regional Qualifiers across multiple game titles. Over a four-month period, they officiated every match online, ensuring fair play and integrity at every stage of competition.
This initiative marked a historic first in esports, as every online qualifier match was overseen by an officially appointed IESF referee.
Official Licensing
After completing all stages of training and evaluation, 14 candidates were officially licensed as IESF Referees. This certification recognizes their professional competence, consistency, and dedication to maintaining the highest standards of fairness and transparency in esports competitions.
A World-First System
The IESF Referee Academy represents the world’s first structured, multi-phase licensing pathway for esports referees. Combining online education, in-person training, and live officiating experience, the system provides a complete framework for developing professional referees and standardizing officiating practices globally.
Future Vision
Looking ahead, IESF will continue to expand the Referee Academy as a global platform for education, certification, and professional growth in esports officiating. Future editions will build upon this foundation to support even more referees worldwide and strengthen integrity and professionalism across the esports ecosystem.
Next Phase: 2025 Referee Academy
IESF is proud to announce that the next Referee Academy will take place from 5–7 November 2025 in Busan, Republic of Korea, officially launching the second round of the IESF Referee Licensing Program.
This year’s academy will welcome a new generation of aspiring referees from IESF Member Federations, continuing the mission to develop world-class esports officials and elevate the standards of fair play across the World of Esports community.
The post IESF Referee Academy Celebrates the First Officially Licensed Esports Referees appeared first on IESF.
The International Esports Federation proudly announces the successful licensing of 14 official referees through the IESF Referee Academy, marking another major milestone in the advancement of the World of Esports officiating standards. Online Foundation Course All candidates began their journey by completing the official IESF Referee Academy Online Foundation Course at referee.iesf.org. The online program
The post IESF Referee Academy Celebrates the First Officially Licensed Esports Referees appeared first on IESF.
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