American Motorcyclist Association awards sanction to INIT ESPORTS for AMA eSports National Championship

INIT ESPORTS will organize, promote AMA-sanctioned two-wheel eSports competition

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association and INIT ESPORTS announce the formation of the AMA eSports National Championship, an AMA-sanctioned national championship that INIT ESPORTS will organize and promote under a multi-year agreement as an AMA-chartered promoter.

The AMA-sanctioned esports calendar will include two-wheel video game competitions of varying size and scope, culminating in an annual national championship that will award AMA National No. 1 plates to class champions as early as 2021. The AMA and INIT ESPORTS will announce schedule and registration information as it becomes available.

“Esports events require a technical infrastructure, rules packages and competitor engagement that make them as distinctive as any traditional racing discipline, and as such, area expertise is necessary,” said AMA Chief Operating Officer James Holter. “INIT ESPORTS is the right partner to bring that expertise and provide our participating members with the fair, structured and inclusive events that they expect. With this agreement, the AMA is proud to acknowledge esports as its own classification of competition and sanction it accordingly.”

The AMA recognizes more than a dozen types of motorcycle competition disciplines, including motocross, trials, road racing, flat track, hillclimb, enduro, desert racing, ice racing, land-speed racing and more. With this agreement, motorcycle esports competition joins that list.

“Esports has become another way to connect with fans, and INIT ESPORT is happy to provide this tool for the AMA and its disciplines,” said INIT ESPORTS President Stefy Bau. “Riding and racing can be expensive, especially for a newbie, but esports can provide that first taste with a lower barrier to entry. The younger demographic is already playing video games, and now with motorcycle esports championships, anyone from across the globe can become an AMA eSports National Champion.”

Bau added that esports expands exposure to two-wheel competition, for both new and existing riders.

“The intention is to create a path to turn gamers into consumers of the sport and allow riders to have fun when they are not on their motorcycles by participating in or watching esports events,” Bau said. “This agreement with the AMA is a first of its kind and will be a model for other sports to follow. In a digital world, sports can really expand on diversity and inclusion.”

As part of the agreement, every AMA member will be eligible to receive an AMA eSports Competition License to compete in two-wheel esports events organized by INIT ESPORTS, in addition to other deals and discounts specific to esports. Non-AMA members will be licensed by the AMA, through its relationship with INIT ESPORTS, to participate in the events.

INIT ESPORTS (initesports.com) is a promoter and tournament organizer for motorsports esports events, with a focus on two-wheel esports, and works with companies and competitive gamers in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Established in 1924, the AMA (americanmotorcyclist.com) sanctions motorcycle competition in the United States and is the sole U.S. affiliate of the Fédération international de Motocyclisme, the world governing body for motorcycle sport. In addition to amateur racing, the AMA provides sanctioning services for professional series, including MotoAmerica, home of the AMA Superbike Championship, and the AMA Supercross Championship.

The AMA also promotes recreational motorcycle riding, including dual sport, adventure bike and road rally events. The AMA government relations department, based in Washington, D.C., combats anti-motorcycling laws and regulations and advocates for a pro-motorcycling agenda.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.

Not a member? Join the AMA today: americanmotorcyclist.com.