The esports industry continues to grow, with millions of fans tuning in online or watching live events. Whether it’s the world-famous League of Legends World Championship or the shooting game Valorant Grand Final, these tournaments are attracting global attention.
But the sport’s legitimacy as a real-world competition is still up for debate. Many viewers see esports as more of a spectacle than a competitive activity, but there are those who disagree. Regardless, esports are becoming increasingly popular and have even been featured alongside traditional sports in some multinational events.
Much like traditional sports, esports feature teams of competitors playing video games in organized contests. The teams can represent organizations, sponsors, or cities. The competitions are regulated and feature multiple rounds of matches with the top teams advancing to the championships. The tournaments are also televised, with broadcasters showcasing the action through pre- and post-game analysis, and play-by-play and color commentary.
The most popular esports include multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), first-person shooter (FPS), fighting, card, and real-time strategy (RTS) games. Many video games have their own dedicated esports leagues, often organized by the developer of the game. These are typically run independently of the main leagues, which are run by esports organizers such as ESL, ELEAGUE, and PGL.
Many of the larger esports tournaments offer massive prize pools and global recognition. Some of these tournaments sell out stadiums in the same way that regular sporting events do. The renowned Fnatic organization, for example, has won several major titles in both League of Legends and Counter-Strike. Their victories in both games, including the first League of Legends World Championship and three major CSGO championships, have earned them global recognition and a multimillion-dollar revenue stream.