What is Esports?

Esports, short for and commonly referred to as “electronic sports”, is one of the fastest-growing areas of the video gaming industry, and it is already becoming an important part of the global digital culture. In simple terms, esports is a form of organized video gaming competition between players or teams in which participants compete in games such as League of Legends, Dota 2, Call of Duty, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, to name just a few.

It is estimated that by 2021, esports will command the attention of over 600 million people. In addition, estimates indicate that by 2020, the global esports industry could earn about $1.5 billion to $2 billion in revenue annually.

Esports As A Legitimate Professional Sport

The legitimization of esports as a professional sport has been at a steady incline in the past several years. This has been largely due to the growth in viewership, infrastructure and investment from brands, tournaments sponsors, and broadcasters. Since esports has become increasingly popular, it has created a reliable revenue stream for both players and publishers, including game streaming services like Twitch.

Esports already featured in the 2018 Asian Games as a demonstration sport and is expected to be included as a full event in the 2022 Asian Games. It was previously reported that esports is also likely be included in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. In addition, many collegiate sports programs also have teams that play in collegiate leagues and tournaments.

How Does Esports Work?

Esports is typically structured as competitions that last a few days up to a few weeks, depending on the particular game or tournament. For example, the League of Legends World Championship is a tournament that stretches over four weeks, while the Fortnite World Cup is a competition that would last a few days.

Most major tournaments have multiple rounds, with the winners of the first few rounds advancing to the next round until a final winner is decided. Regarded as “professional gamers”, esports players are usually contracted by various team organizations, similar to traditional professional sports, and can expect to receive salaries, bonus payouts, and even sponsorship opportunities. As the world of esports continues to expand, many of these organizations are now offering additional benefits such as healthcare, housing, and training to their players.

Conclusion

The growth of esports has been undeniable, and its impact on our culture has been transformative. With the support of global brands, ample investment, and the increasing acceptance of esports as a legitimate professional sport, it is only a matter of time before esports reaches its full potential. Esports is on track to become one of the biggest cultural phenomena of the 21st century and it is likely to become even bigger in the years to come.