Esports tournaments have transformed the way fans follow and engage with video games. Backed by major video game companies and global brands, these competitions are held in world-class arenas and broadcast to millions around the globe. Esports are also revolutionising the way young people play video games – over 600 schools have added varsity teams and scholarships for esports players.
Despite their rapid growth, esports still lack the same structure as traditional sports. Consequently, they are not exempt from the same scandals as their conventional counterparts. This includes claims of performance-enhancing drug use, game fixing, and discriminatory language. The rise of esports has been boosted by celebrity endorsements, with some players attracting a lucrative lifestyle from their achievements.
Among the most famous is Faker, a League of Legends player known for winning several tournaments and taking home hundreds of thousands in prize money. Other notable esports players include s1mple, who won the first-ever Fortnite World Cup in 2019, and Daigo Umehara, an iconic fighting game player.
While a number of professional sports leagues are starting to include esports, it is unlikely that they will be considered a fully-fledged sport until they are fully regulated. In the meantime, esports is establishing itself as a viable career option for gamers, and more and more students are choosing to study computer science and related fields.
2025 looks to be a landmark year for esports, with a host of new events and the continued popularity of existing competitions. April sees the launch of the first-ever League of Legends First Stand tournament, while other noteworthy events include Capcom Cup 11, Street Fighter 6’s biggest event of the year, and Rocket League’s RLCS 2025 Birmingham Major.