Esports is one of the most popular industries in the world. With millions of viewers tuning in, massive cash prizes, and worldwide recognition, it’s no wonder esports have quickly grown into a multi-billion dollar industry.
While many people have never heard of esports, they’ve probably played video games competitively at some point in their lives. Whether it was trying to erase your name at the top of the Pac Man machine at the arcade, or beating your sibling in Street Fighter, the competitive nature of these games is what sparks the excitement of esports.
In the modern era of gaming, this competitive spirit has exploded into full-fledged professional sports competitions. With teams, coaches, and even broadcasters being paid in the millions, esports are not only growing in popularity but are attracting global investors like traditional sports.
The 2025 esports tournament calendar is packed with events. From the LoL World Championship to the RLCS, Valorant Champions Tournaments, and MSI, there’s something for everyone.
However, despite the growing popularity of esports, it’s important to note that esports are not immune from the same scandals and controversy that plague other sports. In 2015, a member of the professional team Cloud9 publicly admitted that they all used Adderall to enhance their performance, which prompted the Esports League to start testing players for banned substances. Additionally, just a few years ago, a StarCraft II player was caught for throwing two matches in exchange for $60,000. Nevertheless, despite these minor controversies, the future looks bright for the esports industry.