Esports tournaments take video games to the next level — it’s like the gamer version of an athletic championship. The world’s best players compete in arenas or online to massive audiences, and teams vie for prize money and brand sponsorships. This exciting new industry is revolutionizing the way fans follow, watch, and engage with video games.
Popular esports include first-person shooters (FPS), battle royales, multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), and real-time strategy games. These titles offer a wide range of play styles and settings to appeal to a variety of demographics. FPS games, in particular, are blockbuster favorites that have captivated audiences for decades and attract millions of spectators to events around the globe.
In addition to massive viewership, esports are known for their incredible skill and high-stakes drama. There have been a number of scandals, however, involving players accused of cheating, use of performance-enhancing drugs, and instances of discriminatory language.
The biggest esports events feature professional gamers playing against one another in world-class arenas, in front of millions of spectators and global brands. The winner of a tournament earns a prestigious trophy and worldwide recognition. Many esports teams are sponsored by companies, and some even represent cities.
There are many different competition formats, but the most common involve a regular season followed by playoffs and a championship match. Throughout the season, teams compete in a set number of scheduled matches and are awarded points or rankings that can affect their standing at the end of the season.