View source for Esports

{{Short description|Form of competition using video games}}
{{About|video game competitions|simulated sports in video games|Sports video game|multiplayer games in general|Multiplayer video game}}
{{Protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox sport
| name              = Esports
| image             = League_of_Legends_World_Championship_2017_Finals.jpg
| imagesize         = 300 px
| caption           = The stage for the [[2017 League of Legends World Championship]] Finals in [[Beijing National Stadium|Beijing]]
| union             = {{Unbulleted list|[[International Esports Federation]]|[[Global Esports Federation]]}}
| first             = 1972; [[Stanford University]], [[California]], US<ref>{{cite web|date=21 October 2022|title=The Stanford Daily- AI Lab celebrates 50th anniversary of Intergalactic 'Spacewar!' Olympics|url=https://stanforddaily.com/2022/10/21/ai-lab-celebrates-50th-anniversary-of-intergalactic-spacewar-olympics/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=4 March 2024|title=History of eSports: how did video game competitions begin?|url=https://www.telefonica.com/en/communication-room/blog/history-of-esports-how-did-video-game-competitions-begin/}}</ref>
| contact           = [[Contact sport#Non-contact|No]]
| team              = Team or individuals
| mgender           = Yes
| region            = Worldwide
| olympic           = [[Olympic Esports Games|2027]]
}}

[[File:LGD Gaming at the 2015 LPL Summer Finals.jpg|thumb|Players competing in a ''[[League of Legends]]'' tournament]]

'''Esports''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=Pronunciation of "esports".ogg|'|i:|s|p|ɔːr|t|s}}), short for '''electronic sports''', is a form of competition using [[video game]]s.<ref name="whatisesports">{{cite journal |last1=Hamari |first1=Juho |last2=Sjöblom |first2=Max |date=2016 |title=What is eSports and why do people watch it? |ssrn=2686182 |journal=Internet Research |volume=27 |issue=2 |pages=211–232 |doi=10.1108/IntR-04-2016-0085|s2cid=35814803 |url=https://trepo.tuni.fi/handle/10024/101034 }}</ref> Esports often takes the form of organized, [[multiplayer video game]] competitions, particularly between professional players, played individually or as teams.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Werder |first1=Karl |title=Esport |journal=Business & Information Systems Engineering |date=June 2022 |volume=64 |issue=3 |pages=393–399 |doi=10.1007/s12599-022-00748-w|s2cid=255613366 |doi-access=free |hdl=10419/309891 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tang |first1=Di |last2=Sum |first2=Raymond Kim-wai |last3=Li |first3=Minghui |last4=Ma |first4=Ruisi |last5=Chung |first5=Peichi |last6=Ho |first6=Ray Wai-keung |title=What is esports? A systematic scoping review and concept analysis of esports |journal=[[Heliyon]] |date=2023 |volume=9 |issue=12 |article-number=e23248 |doi=10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23248 |pmid=38149186 |doi-access=free |pmc=10750068 |bibcode=2023Heliy...923248T }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rosell Llorens |first1=Mariona |title=eSport Gaming: The Rise of a New Sports Practice |journal=Sport, Ethics and Philosophy |date=2017 |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=464–476 |doi=10.1080/17511321.2017.1318947}}</ref>

Multiplayer competitions were long a part of [[video game culture]], but were largely between amateurs until the late 2000s when the advent of online [[streaming media]] platforms, particularly [[YouTube]] and [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]], enabled a surge in participation by professional gamers and spectators.<ref name="2012Forbes" /><ref name="FieldOfStreams" /> By the 2010s, esports was a major part of the video game industry, with many game developers designing for and funding tournaments and other events.

Esports first became popular in [[East Asia]], particularly in [[China]] and [[South Korea]] (which first licensed professional players in 2000) but less so in [[Japan]], whose broad [[Gambling in Japan|anti-gambling laws]] prohibit professional gaming tournaments.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Andrew Groen |date=14 May 2013 |title=Why gamers in Asia are the world's best eSport athletes |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2036844/why-gamers-in-asia-are-the-worlds-best-esport-athletes.html |magazine=PC World |access-date=7 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="bloomberg olympics 2024" /> Esports are also popular in [[Europe]] and the [[Americas]], which host regional and international events.

The most common [[video game genres]] associated with esports are [[multiplayer online battle arena]] (MOBA), [[first-person shooter]] (FPS), [[fighting game]]s, [[Digital collectible card game|card]], [[Battle royale game|battle royales]], and [[real-time strategy]] (RTS) games. Popular esports franchises include ''[[League of Legends]]'', ''[[Dota]]'', ''[[Counter-Strike]]'', ''[[Valorant]]'', ''[[Overwatch (video game)|Overwatch]]'', ''[[Street Fighter]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' and ''[[StarCraft]]''. Among the most popular tournaments are the [[League of Legends World Championship|''League of Legends'' World Championship]], [[The International (Dota 2)|''Dota 2''{{'s}} International]], the fighting game-specific [[Evolution Championship Series]] (EVO) and [[Intel Extreme Masters]]. Many other competitions use a series of league play with sponsored teams, such as the [[Overwatch League]]. Although the legitimacy of esports as a true sporting competition remains in question, they have been featured alongside traditional sports in some multinational events in Asia. The [[International Olympic Committee]] has discussed their inclusion in future Olympic events, starting with the [[Olympic Esports Games]] set to be held in 2027.

In the early 2010s, viewership was about 85% male and 15% female, with most viewers between the ages of 18 and 34.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 November 2012 |title=Major League Gaming reports COWS GO MOO 334 percent growth in live video |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/major-league-gaming-reports-334-percent-growth-in-live-video-6400010 |access-date=8 October 2013 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=John Gaudiosi |date=28 April 2012 |title=Team Evil Geniuses Manager Anna Prosser Believes More Female Gamers Will Turn Pro |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johngaudiosi/2012/04/28/team-evil-geniuses-manager-anna-prosser-believes-more-female-gamers-will-turn-pro/ |magazine=Forbes |access-date=8 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=John Gaudiosi |date=29 July 2012 |title=Taipei Assassins Manager Erica Tseng Talks Growth Of Female Gamers In League Of Legends |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johngaudiosi/2012/07/29/taipei-assassins-manager-erica-tseng-talks-growth-of-female-gamers-in-league-of-legends/ |access-date=8 October 2013 |work=Forbes}}</ref> By the late 2010s, it was estimated that by 2020, the total audience of esports would grow to 454 million viewers, with revenue increasing to more than {{USD}}1 billion, with China accounting for 35% of the global esports revenue.<ref>{{cite web|website=[[VentureBeat]]|url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/02/25/newzoo-global-esports-will-top-1-billion-in-2020-with-china-as-the-top-market/|title=Newzoo: Global esports will top $1 billion in 2020, with China as the top market|date=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-videogames-outlook-idUSKCN1Q11XY|title=Global esports revenues to top $1 billion in 2019: report|date=12 February 2019|work=Reuters|access-date=21 May 2019|language=en}}</ref>

==History==

===Early history (1972–1989)===
[[File:Space Invaders Championship.jpg|thumb|left|Attendees of the 1981 ''[[Space Invaders]]'' Championships attempt to set the highest score.]]

The earliest known video game competition took place on 19 October 1972 at [[Stanford University]] for the game ''[[Spacewar!]]'' Stanford students were invited to an "Intergalactic spacewar olympics" whose grand prize was a year's subscription for ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', with Bruce Baumgart winning the five-man-free-for-all tournament, and Slim Tovar and Robert E. Maas winning the team competition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5953371/today-is-the-40th-anniversary-of-the-worlds-first-known-video-gaming-tournament |title=Today is the 40th Anniversary of the World's First Known Video Gaming Tournament |author=Owen Good |publisher=Kotaku |date=19 October 2012 |access-date=1 August 2013}}</ref>

Contemporary esports has roots in competitive face-to-face [[arcade video game]] competitions. A forerunner of esports was held by [[Sega]] in 1974, the All Japan TV Game Championships, a nationwide arcade video game tournament in Japan.<ref name="VT">{{cite magazine |title=Sega Sponsors All Japan TV Game Championships |magazine=[[Vending Times]] |date=December 1974 |url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E13XZPWVgAEzeJH?format=png}}</ref><ref name="Borowy">{{cite journal |last1=Borowy |first1=Michael |last2=Jin |first2=Dal Yong |last3=Pluda |first3=Alessandra |title=Pioneering eSport: The Experience Economy and the Marketing of Early 1980s Arcade Gaming Contests |journal=[[International Journal of Communication]] |date=15 October 2013 |volume=7 |pages=1–21 (9) |issn=1932-8036 |url=https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/viewFile/2296/999#page=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Zhouxiang |first1=Lu |chapter=Competitive Gaming |editor-last1=Phillips |editor-first1=Murray G. |editor-last2=Booth |editor-first2=Douglas |editor-last3=Adams |editor-first3=Carly |title=Routledge Handbook of Sport History |date=19 September 2021 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-1-000-44166-6 |page=337 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eBo6EAAAQBAJ&pg=PT337}}</ref> The tournament was intended by Sega to promote the play and sales of video games in the country. There were local tournaments held in 300 locations across Japan, and then sixteen finalists from across the country competed in the final elimination rounds at [[Tokyo]]'s Hotel Pacific. Prizes awarded included [[television sets]] ([[Color television|color]] and [[black-and-white]]), [[cassette tape recorder]]s and [[transistor radios]]. According to Sega, the tournament "proved to be the biggest event ever" in the [[arcade game]] industry, and was attended by members from leading [[Japanese newspapers]] and [[leisure industry]] companies.<ref name="VT"/> Sega stressed "the importance of such tournaments to foster better business relationships between the maker-location-customer and create an atmosphere of competition on TV amusement games".<ref name="Borowy"/><ref name="VT"/> In 1977, [[Gremlin Industries]] (a year before being acquired by Sega) held a marketing stunt to promote their early arcade [[Snake (video game genre)|snake game]] ''Hustle'' in the United States, involving the "Gremlin Girls" who were a duo of professional [[Women and video games|female arcade players]] called Sabrina Osment and Lynn Reid.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Ethan |title=The Sega-Gremlin Marketing Video Archive: Nearly a decade before they did what Nintendon't, Sega's marketing still managed to break new ground…even when it was really cheesy |url=https://gamehistory.org/sega-gremlin-archive/ |access-date=26 September 2021 |work=Video Game History Foundation |date=16 November 2018}}</ref><ref name="girlboss">{{cite news |last1=Drewis |first1=Deena |title=The Little-Known Female Duo That Obliterated The Gaming Scene In The '70s |url=https://www.girlboss.com/read/2018-3-14-gremlin-girls-history |access-date=26 September 2021 |work=Girlboss |date=15 March 2018}}</ref> The pair travelled across 19 American cities, where players could challenge them in [[best-of-three]] matches for a chance to win money. The duo were challenged by a total of 1,300 players, only about seven of whom managed to beat them.<ref name="girlboss"/>

The [[golden age of arcade video games]] was heralded by [[Taito]]'s ''[[Space Invaders]]'' in 1978, which popularized the use of a persistent [[high score]] for all players. Several video games in the next several years followed suit, adding other means of tracking high scores such with high score tables that included the players' initials in games like ''[[Asteroids (video game)|Asteroids]]'' in 1979. High score-chasing became a popular activity and a means of competition.<ref name="goldenage arcade esports">{{cite journal | title = Pioneering E-Sport: The Experience Economy and the Marketing of Early 1980s Arcade Gaming Contests | first1 = Michael | last1 = Borowy | first2 = Dal Yong | last2 = Jin | journal = International Journal of Communication | volume = 7 | date = 2013 | pages = 2254–2274 | issn = 1932-8036 }}</ref> The [[Space Invaders#In popular culture|Space Invaders Championship]] held by [[Atari]] in 1980 was the earliest large scale video game competition, attracting more than 10,000 participants across the United States, establishing competitive gaming as a mainstream hobby.<ref name="eg_2_36">{{cite journal |title=Players Guide To Electronic Science Fiction Games |journal=[[Electronic Games]] |date=March 1982 |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=35–45 [36] |url=https://archive.org/stream/electronic-games-magazine-1982-03/Electronic_Games_Issue_02_Vol_01_02_1982_Mar#page/n35/mode/1up |access-date=1 February 2012}}</ref> It was won by [[Rebecca Heineman]].<ref name="Women in Gaming">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3ad2DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA32 |title=Women in Gaming: 100 Professionals of Play |first=Meagan |last=Marie |date=4 December 2018 |publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |isbn=978-0-241-39506-6 |pages=32–33}}</ref> [[Walter Day]], owner of an arcade in Iowa, had taken it upon himself to travel across the United States to record the high scores on various games in 1980, and on his return, founded [[Twin Galaxies]], a high score record-keeping organization.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/walter-day-leaves-twin-galaxies |title=Walter Day leaves Twin Galaxies |date=8 March 2010 |access-date=18 September 2013 |first=Tom |last=Bramwell |work=EuroGamer}}</ref> The organization went on to help promote video games and publicize its records through publications such as the ''[[Guinness World Records|Guinness Book of World Records]]'', and in 1983 it created the [[U.S. National Video Game Team]]. The team was involved in competitions, such as running the [[Video Game Masters Tournament]] for ''Guinness World Records''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/10/worlds_oldest_competitive_game_1.php |title=World's Oldest Competitive Gamer Passes On |date=20 October 2006 |access-date=18 September 2013 |first=Simon |last=Carless |work=[[GameSetWatch]] |archive-date=28 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628033509/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/10/worlds_oldest_competitive_game_1.php }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2009/05/walter_day_twin_galaxies_and_t.php |title=Walter Day: Twin Galaxies and the Two Golden Domes |date=4 May 2009 |access-date=18 September 2013 |work=GameSetWatch |first=Eric |last=Caoili |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305192749/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2009/05/walter_day_twin_galaxies_and_t.php }}</ref> and sponsoring the North American Video Game Challenge tournament.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19841223&id=gbUsAAAAIBAJ&pg=4902,2359808 |title=Video champ tourney bound |date=23 December 1984 |access-date=20 September 2013 |newspaper=Sunday Star-News |page=6F}}</ref> A multicity tour in 1983, the "Electronic Circus", was used to feature these players in live challenges before audiences, and draw more people to video games.<ref name="goldenage arcade esports"/> These video game players and tournaments were featured in well-circulated newspapers and popular magazines including ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' and ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' and became minor celebrities at the time, such as [[Billy Mitchell (gamer)|Billy Mitchell]].<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229043301/http://www.oxfordamericanmag.com/content.cfm?ArticleID=58&Entry=Home |archive-date=29 February 2008 |url=http://www.oxfordamericanmag.com/content.cfm?ArticleID=58&Entry=Home |first=David |last=Ramsey |work=[[Oxford American]] |title=The Perfect Man: How Billy Mitchell became a video-game superstar and achieved Pac-Man bliss.}}</ref><ref>{{cite thesis |title=Public Gaming: eSport and Event Marketing in the Experience Economy |chapter-url=http://summit.sfu.ca/system/files/iritems1/12463/etd7439_MBorowy.pdf |author=Michael Borowy |chapter=3 |year=2012 |access-date=18 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106033104/http://summit.sfu.ca/system/files/iritems1/12463/etd7439_MBorowy.pdf |archive-date=6 January 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Besides establishing the competitive nature of games, these types of promotional events all formed the nature of the marketing and promotion that formed the basis of modern esports.<ref name="goldenage arcade esports"/>

In 1984, [[Konami]] and [[Centuri]] jointly held an international ''[[Track & Field (video game)|Track & Field]]'' arcade game competition that drew more than a million players from across Japan and North America. ''[[Play Meter]]'' in 1984 called it "the coin-op event of the year" and an "event on a scale never before achieved in the industry".<ref name="Sharpe">{{cite magazine |last=Sharpe |first=Roger C. |title=1984—Every Which Way But Up |magazine=[[Play Meter]] |date=December 1984 |volume=10 |issue=23 |pages=39, 49–51 |url=https://archive.org/details/play-meter-volume-10-number-23-december-15th-1984/Play%20Meter%20-%20Volume%2010%2C%20Number%2023%20-%20December%2015th%201984/page/49}}</ref> {{As of|2016}}, it holds the record for the largest organized video game competition of all time, according to ''[[Guinness World Records]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Baker |first1=Chris |title=How 'Track & Field' Launched World's Biggest Video Game Tournament |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/how-konamis-track-field-launched-worlds-biggest-game-tournament-103592/ |access-date=6 October 2021 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=16 August 2016}}</ref>

Televised esports events aired during this period included the American show ''[[Starcade]]'' which ran from 1982 to 1984 airing a total of 133 episodes, on which contestants would attempt to beat each other's high scores on an arcade game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5811611/arcades-dont-make-for-good-tv-but-starcades-do |title=Arcades Don't Make for Good TV (But Starcades do) |date=14 June 2011 |access-date=17 September 2013 |work=Kotaku |first=Luke |last=Plunkett}}</ref> A video game tournament was included as part of TV show ''[[That's Incredible!]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/07/29/the-thats-incredible-video-game-invitational-this-is-what-we-used-to-watch/ |title=The That's Incredible! Video Game Invitational: This is what we used to watch |date=29 July 2009 |access-date=30 September 2013 |first=John |last=Biggs |work=Tech Crunch}}</ref> and tournaments were also featured as part of the plot of various films, including 1982's ''[[Tron]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/tron-1982 |title=TRON |date=1 January 1982 |access-date=20 September 2013 |first=Roger |last=Ebert}}</ref> In the UK, the [[BBC]] game show ''[[First Class (game show)|First Class]]'' included competitive video game rounds featuring the contemporary arcade games, such as ''[[Hyper Sports]]'', ''[[720°]]'' and ''[[Paperboy (video game)|Paperboy]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=First Class |url=http://www.tvcream.co.uk/telly/tv-a-z/a-m/f-is-for/first-class/ |website=TV Cream |date=May 2009 |access-date=14 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Weaver |first1=Iain |title=Weaver's Week 2012-08-12: First Class |url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Weaver%27s_Week_2012-08-12 |website=UK Gameshows.com |publisher=Labyrinth Games |access-date=14 June 2018}}</ref> In the United States, the Amusement Players Association held its first [[U.S. National Video Game Team]] competition in January 1987, where ''[[Vs. Super Mario Bros.]]'' was popular among competitive arcade players.<ref name="Horowitz">{{cite book |last1=Horowitz |first1=Ken |title=Beyond Donkey Kong: A History of Nintendo Arcade Games |date=30 July 2020 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |isbn=978-1-4766-4176-8 |page=156 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UXD0DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA156}}</ref>

The 1988 game ''[[Netrek]]'' was an [[Internet game]] for up to 16 players, written almost entirely in [[cross-platform]] [[open source software|open-source software]]. ''Netrek'' was the [[History of online games|third Internet game]], the first Internet game to use metaservers to locate open game servers, and the first to have persistent [[user information]]. In 1993 it was credited by ''[[Wired Magazine]]'' as "the first online sports game".<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Kevin Kelly |url=https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/1.06/netrek.html |title=The First Online Sports Game |magazine=Wired |publisher=wired.com |date=Dec 1993 |access-date=1 July 2013}}</ref>

===Growth and online video games (1990–1999)===
[[File:QuakeCon 1996 - 31.jpg|thumb|Players competing at the first [[QuakeCon]] in 1996]]
The [[fighting game]] ''[[Street Fighter II]]'' (1991) popularized the concept of direct, tournament-level competition between two players.<ref name="egm_influential_sf2">{{cite magazine|last=Patterson|first=Eric L.|title=EGM Feature: The 5 Most Influential Japanese Games Day Four: Street Fighter II|url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/egm-featurethe-5-most-influential-japanese-gamesday-four-street-fighter-ii/|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|access-date=17 April 2012|date=3 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314064721/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/egm-featurethe-5-most-influential-japanese-gamesday-four-street-fighter-ii/|archive-date=14 March 2017}}</ref> Previously, video games most often relied on [[high score]]s to determine the best player, but this changed with ''Street Fighter II'', where players would instead challenge each other directly, "face-to-face", to determine the best player,<ref name="egm_influential_sf2"/> paving the way for the competitive [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] and [[Deathmatch (gaming)|deathmatch]] modes found in modern [[action game]]s.<ref name="barton_sf2">{{cite book|title=Vintage games: an insider look at the history of Grand Theft Auto, Super Mario, and the most influential games of all time|year=2009|publisher=Focal Press/Elsevier|location=Boston|isbn=978-0-240-81146-8|pages=239–255|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M_bFdsP9L7oC|author=Matt Barton|author2=Bill Loguidice |access-date=17 April 2012}}</ref> The popularity of fighting games such as ''[[Street Fighter]]'' and ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom]]'' in the 1990s led to the foundation of the international [[Evolution Championship Series]] (EVO) esports tournament in 1996.

Large esports tournaments in the 1990s include the 1990 [[Nintendo World Championships]], which toured across the United States, and held its finals at [[Universal Studios Hollywood]] in California. [[Nintendo]] held a 2nd World Championships in 1994 for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] called the [[Nintendo PowerFest '94]]. There were 132 finalists that played in the finals in [[San Diego]], California. Mike Iarossi took home 1st prize. [[Blockbuster Video]] also ran their own World Game Championships in the early 1990s, co-hosted by ''[[GamePro]]'' magazine. Citizens from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Chile were eligible to compete. Games from the 1994 championships included ''[[NBA Jam (1993 video game)|NBA Jam]]'' and ''[[Virtua Racing]]''.<ref>{{Citation |title=Blockbuster Video World Game Championship Guide |publisher=GamePro Magazine |date=June 1994 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/lampbane/150765934/}}</ref>

Television shows featuring esports during this period include the British shows ''[[GamesMaster]]'' and ''[[Bad Influence!]]''; the Australian game show ''[[A*mazing]]'', where in the final round contestants competed in a video game face-off; and the Canadian game show ''[[Video & Arcade Top 10]]''.

In the 1990s, many games benefited from increasing [[internet connectivity]], especially [[PC game]]s. Inspired by the fighting games ''Street Fighter II'', ''[[Fatal Fury]]'' and ''[[Art of Fighting]]'', [[id Software]]'s [[John Romero]] established competitive multiplayer in [[online games]] with ''[[Doom (1993 video game)|Doom]]''{{'}}s deathmatch mode in 1993.<ref>{{cite book|last=Consalvo|first=Mia|year=2016|title=Atari to Zelda: Japan's Videogames in Global Contexts|pages=201–3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tH3TCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA201|publisher=[[MIT Press]]|isbn=978-0-262-03439-5}}</ref> Tournaments established in the late 1990s include the [[Cyberathlete Professional League]] (CPL), [[QuakeCon]], and the [[Professional Gamers League]]. PC games played at the CPL included the ''[[Counter-Strike (series)|Counter-Strike]]'' series, ''[[Quake series|Quake]]'' series, ''[[StarCraft (video game)|StarCraft]]'', and ''[[Warcraft (series)|Warcraft]]''.

===Global tournaments (2000–present)===
[[File:LOL2016WorldsFinalsArena.jpg|thumb|The [[League of Legends World Championship]] is an annual ''[[League of Legends]]'' tournament that rotates its venues around the world.]]
The growth of esports in South Korea is thought to have been influenced by the mass building of [[broadband Internet]] networks following the [[1997 Asian financial crisis]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/20/technology/league-of-legends-south-korea-epicenter-esports.html?_r=0 |title=For South Korea, E-Sports Is National Pastime |last=Mozur |first=Paul |website=[[The New York Times]] |date=19 October 2014 |access-date=13 June 2015}}</ref> It is also thought that the high [[unemployment rate]] at the time caused many people to look for things to do while out of work.<ref>{{cite book |title=Korea's Online Gaming Empire |first=Dal Yong |last=Jin |publisher=[[MIT Press]] |year=2010}}</ref> Instrumental to this growth of esports in South Korea was the prevalence of the Komany-style [[internet café]]/[[LAN gaming center]], known as a [[PC bang]]. The [[Korean e-Sports Association]], an arm of the [[Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (South Korea)|Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]], was founded in 2000 to promote and regulate esports in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.e-sports.or.kr/board.php?b_no=9&_module=kespa&_page=view&b_no=9&b_pid=9999989400 |title=History of Korea e-Sports Association 1999–2004 |publisher=KeSPA |access-date=7 October 2013 |language=ko}}</ref> Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism [[Park Jie-won]] coined the term "Esports" at the founding ceremony of the 21st Century Professional Game Association (currently [[Korean e-Sports Association]]) in 2000.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jin |first1=Dal-yong |date=19 June 2020 |title=Historiography of Korean Esports: Perspectives on Spectatorship. |url=https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/13795 |journal=International Journal of Communication |volume=14 |page=19 |issn=1932-8036 |access-date=23 August 2021 }}</ref>

"[[Evo Moment 37]]", also known as the "Daigo Parry", refers to a portion of a ''[[Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike]]'' semi-final match held at [[Evolution Championship Series 2004]] (Evo 2004) between [[Daigo Umehara]] (playing [[Ken Masters]]) and [[Justin Wong]] (playing [[Chun-Li]]). During this match, Umehara made an unexpected [[Comeback (sports)|comeback]] by parrying 15 consecutive hits of Wong's "Super Art" move while having only one pixel of [[health (gaming)|vitality]]. Umehara subsequently won the match. "Evo Moment #37" is frequently described as the most iconic and memorable moment in the history of competitive video gaming. Being at one point the most-watched competitive gaming moment of all time, it has been compared to sports moments such as [[Babe Ruth's called shot]] and the [[Miracle on Ice]].<ref name=KotakuBook>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/someone-wrote-a-book-about-street-fighters-greatest-mat-1563009143|work=[[Kotaku]]|title=Someone Wrote A Book About Street Fighter's Greatest Match|last=Narcisse|first=Evan|date=14 April 2014}}</ref>

In April 2006, the [[G7 teams]] federation were formed by seven prominent ''[[Counter-Strike]]'' teams. The goal of the organization was to increase stability in the esports world, particularly in standardizing player transfers and working with leagues and organizations. The founding members were [[4Kings]], [[Fnatic]], [[Made in Brazil (esports)|Made in Brazil]], [[Mousesports]], [[NiP]], [[SK-Gaming]], and [[Team 3D (esports)|Team 3D]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fnatic.com/content/1155 |title=G7 teams launched |author=G7 Federation |date=20 April 2006 |website=[[Fnatic]] |access-date=12 June 2015 |archive-date=23 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223211219/http://www.fnatic.com/content/1155 }}</ref> The organization only lasted until 2009 before dissolving.<ref name="raising">{{cite book |title=Raising the Stakes: E-Sports and the Professionalization |first=TL |last=Taylor |year=2013}}</ref>

The 2000s was a popular time for televised esports. Television coverage was best established in South Korea, with ''[[StarCraft]]'' and ''[[Warcraft III]]'' competitions regularly televised by dedicated 24-hour cable TV game channels [[Ongamenet]] and [[MBCGame]].<ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite web |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/06/11/BUG8SQC59E1.DTL |title=League beginning for video gamers |publisher=Sfgate.com |date=11 June 2007 |access-date=4 June 2012 |first=Ryan |last=Kim}}</ref> Elsewhere, esports television coverage was sporadic. The [[Television in Germany|German]] [[GIGA Television]] covered esports until its shutdown in 2009. The United Kingdom [[satellite television]] channel [[XLEAGUE.TV]] broadcast esports competitions from 2007 to 2009. The online esports only channel ESL TV<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tv.esl.eu/de/ |title=ESL TV |access-date=16 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504091912/http://tv.esl.eu/de/ |archive-date=4 May 2012 }}</ref> briefly attempted a paid television model renamed GIGA II from June 2006 to autumn 2007. The [[Television in France|French]] channel [[Game One]] broadcast esports matches in a show called ''Arena Online'' for the [[Xfire]] Trophy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sk-gaming.com/video/1821-Xfire_Trophy_CC3__Arena_Online_on_Gameone_TV |title=Xfire Trophy CC3 @ Arena Online on Gameone TV |website=SK Gaming |access-date=17 September 2013 |archive-date=4 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171104132548/http://www.sk-gaming.com/video/1821-Xfire_Trophy_CC3__Arena_Online_on_Gameone_TV }}</ref> The United States channel [[ESPN2]] hosted ''[[Madden NFL]]'' competitions in a show called ''[[Madden Nation]]'' from 2005 to 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.operationsports.com/news/269002/espn2s-madden-nation-to-begin-fourth-season/ |title=ESPN2's Madden Nation to Begin Fourth Season |publisher=Operation Sports |author=Steve_OS |date=15 September 2008 |access-date=16 September 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203001015/http://www.operationsports.com/news/269002/espn2s-madden-nation-to-begin-fourth-season/ }}</ref> [[DirecTV]] broadcast the [[Championship Gaming Series]] tournament for two seasons in 2007 and 2008.<ref name=autogenerated3 /> [[CBS]] aired prerecorded footage of the 2007 [[World Series of Video Games]] tournament that was held in [[Louisville, Kentucky]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/28/arts/television/28vide.html |work=The New York Times |first=Seth |last=Schiesel |title=Video Game Matches to Be Televised on CBS |date=28 July 2007 |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> The [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4 television channel]] originally covered video games exclusively, but broadened its scope to cover technology and men's lifestyle, though has now shutdown.<ref name=autogenerated3 />

During the 2010s, esports grew tremendously, incurring a large increase in both viewership and prize money.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=2011: The Year of eSports |magazine=PCWorld |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/214432/2011_the_year_of_esports.html |date=29 December 2010 |author=Patrick Miller |access-date=15 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-201402121100--tms--invideogctnzs-c20140212-20140212,0,643102.story |title='Ender's Game' Blu-ray gets ESports tournament |date=12 February 2014 |access-date=20 February 2014 |first=John |last=Gaudiosi |work=Chicago Tribune |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226233042/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-201402121100--tms--invideogctnzs-c20140212-20140212,0,643102.story |archive-date=26 February 2014 }}</ref> Although large tournaments were founded before the 21st century, the number and scope of tournaments has increased significantly, going from about 10 tournaments in 2000 to about 260 in 2010.<ref name="FieldOfStreams">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/9/30/4719766/twitch-raises-20-million-esports-market-booming |title=Field of Streams: How Twitch Made Video Games a Spectator Sport |work=The Verge |author=Ben Popper |date=30 September 2013 |access-date=9 October 2013}}</ref> Many successful tournaments were founded during this period, including the [[World Cyber Games]], the [[Intel Extreme Masters]], and [[Major League Gaming]]. The proliferation of tournaments included experimentation with competitions outside traditional esports genres. For example, the September 2006 [[FUN Technologies]] Worldwide Webgames Championship featured 71 contestants competing in [[casual games]] for a $1 million grand prize.<ref>{{cite web |title=Casual gamer gets serious prize |author=Tim Surette |work =GameSpot |date=11 September 2006 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/puzzle/zumadeluxe/news.html?sid=6157427}}</ref>

The popularity and emergence of [[streaming media|online streaming services]] have helped the growth of esports in this period, and are the most common method of watching tournaments. [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]], an online streaming platform launched in 2011, routinely streams popular esports competitions. In 2013, viewers of the platform watched 12 billion minutes of video on the service, with the two most popular Twitch broadcasters being ''[[League of Legends]]'' and ''[[Dota 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailydot.com/esports/twitch-growth-esports-streaming-mlg-youtube-2013/ |title=Twitch dominated streaming in 2013, and here are the numbers to prove it |work=The Daily Dot |author=Patrick Howell O'Neill |date=16 January 2014 |access-date=9 November 2014}}</ref> During one day of The International, Twitch recorded 4.5 million unique views, with each viewer watching for an average of two hours.<ref name=FieldOfStreams/>

The modern esports boom has also seen a rise in video games companies embracing the esports potential of their products. After many years of ignoring and at times suppressing the esports scene, [[Nintendo]] hosted Wii Games Summer 2010. Spanning over a month, the tournament had over 400,000 participants, making it the largest and most expansive tournament in the company's history. In 2014 Nintendo hosted an invitational ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' competitive tournament at the [[E3 2014|2014]] [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]] (E3) press conference that was streamed online on Twitch.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esportsmax.com/news/nintendo-announces-super-smash-bros-invitational-e3-2014 |title=Nintendo Announces Super Smash Bros. Invitational at E3 2014 |publisher=eSports Max |author=Alex R |date=29 April 2014 |access-date=9 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109220611/http://www.esportsmax.com/news/nintendo-announces-super-smash-bros-invitational-e3-2014 |archive-date=9 November 2014 }}</ref> [[Halo (series)|Halo]] developers [[343 Industries]] announced in 2014 plans to revive Halo as an esport with the creation of the [[Halo Championship Series]] and a prize pool of US$50,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamerant.com/halo-championship-series-esports-league/ |title=Microsoft Launching 'Halo Championship Series' eSports League |publisher=Game Rant |author=Jasmine Henry |date=7 September 2014 |access-date=9 November 2014}}</ref> Both [[Blizzard Entertainment]] and [[Riot Games]] have their own [[college sports|collegiate]] outreach programs with their North American Collegiate Championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://na.lolesports.com/articles/announcing-north-american-collegiate-championship |title=Announcing the North American Collegiate Championship |publisher=Riot Games |author=Steve ''Jaws'' Jaworski |date=1 July 2014 |access-date=9 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzard-esports-initiative-will-support-your-college-gaming-club/1100-6417615/ |title=Blizzard eSports initiative will support your college gaming club |publisher=Game Spot |author=Emanuel Maiberg |date=8 February 2014 |access-date=9 November 2014}}</ref> Since 2013 universities and colleges in the United States such as [[Robert Morris University Illinois]] and the [[University of Pikeville]] have recognized esports players as [[varsity team|varsity]] level athletes and offer [[athletic scholarship]]s.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tassi |first1=Paul |title=Second US College Now Offering 'League of Legends' Scholarship |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2015/01/08/second-us-college-now-offering-league-of-legends-scholarship/ |website=www.forbes.com |access-date=22 February 2015}}</ref> In 2017, [[Tespa]], Blizzard Entertainment's collegiate esports division, unveiled its new initiative to provide scholarships and prizes for collegiate esports clubs competing in its tournaments worth US$1 million.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/20360800/tespa-expand-collegiate-esports-1-million-scholarships-prizes |title=Tespa to expand collegiate esports with $1 million in scholarships and prizes |work=ESPN.com|access-date=21 September 2017}}</ref> Colleges have begun granting scholarships to students who qualify to play esports professionally for the school. Colleges such as [[Columbia College (Missouri)|Columbia College]], [[Robert Morris University Illinois|Robert Morris University]], and [[Indiana Institute of Technology]] have taken part in this.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/21152905/college-esports-list-varsity-esports-programs-north-america|title=List of varsity esports programs spans North America|work=ESPN.com|access-date=10 May 2018}}</ref> In 2018, [[Harrisburg University of Science and Technology]] began a tuition scholarship program for esports players.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/23340396/harrisburg-university-hosts-international-tryout-esports-scholarships|title=Harrisburg University hosts international esports tryout|work=ESPN.com|access-date=14 May 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Froskurinn at All Star 2017.jpg|thumb|right|Esports commentator [[Froskurinn]] in 2017]]
In 2014, the largest independent esports league, [[Electronic Sports League]], partnered with the local brand Japan Competitive Gaming to try and grow esports in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.turtle-entertainment.com/news/esl-to-bring-world-class-esports-to-japan-with-new-local-partner/ |title=ESL to bring world class eSports to Japan with new local partner |date=4 September 2014 |access-date=9 November 2014}}</ref>

Physical viewership of esports competitions and the scope of events have increased in tandem with the growth of online viewership.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2014/09/07/espn-boss-declares-esports-not-a-sport/#55948bb5f80a |title=ESPN Boss Declares eSports 'Not A Sport' |last1=Tassi |first1=Paul |magazine=[[Forbes]] |access-date=15 December 2017 }}</ref> In 2013, the [[Season 3 League of Legends World Championship]] was held in a sold-out [[Staples Center]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/news/esports/esports-editorial/one-world-championship-32-million-viewers |title=One World Championship, 32 million viewers |access-date=2 September 2015 |archive-date=2 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102050548/https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/news/esports/esports-editorial/one-world-championship-32-million-viewers }}</ref> The [[2014 League of Legends World Championship]] in [[Seoul]], South Korea, had over 40,000 fans in attendance and featured the band [[Imagine Dragons]], and opening and closing ceremonies in addition to the competition.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Magrino |first1=Tom |title=Welcome to the League of Legends 2014 World Championship! |url=http://na.lolesports.com/articles/league-legends-world-championship-2014 |access-date=20 August 2014}}</ref>

In 2015, the first Esports Arena was launched in [[Santa Ana, California]], as the United States' first dedicated esports facility.<ref>[https://venturebeat.com/2017/04/11/las-vegas-will-get-its-own-esports-arena-at-the-luxor-hotel/ Esports arena is coming to the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas] Retrieved 2 October 2017</ref>

The global esports audience reached 662.6 million in 2020, and 921 million in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chiovato |first1=Luca |title=Gaming's Live-Streaming Audience Will Hit One Billion Next Year & 1.4 Billion by 2025 |url= https://newzoo.com/resources/blog/gamings-live-streaming-audience-will-hit-one-billion-next-year-1-4-billion-by-2025 |website=Newzoo |date=6 May 2022 |access-date=18 October 2024}}</ref>

In 2021, [[China]] announced a law which forbade minors from playing video games{{snd}}which they described as "spiritual opium" – for more than three hours a week.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Goh|first=Brenda|date=31 August 2021|title=Three hours a week: Play time's over for China's young video gamers|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-rolls-out-new-rules-minors-online-gaming-xinhua-2021-08-30/|access-date=28 December 2021}}</ref> With China being a large market, the law raised concerns about the future of esports within the country.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Klein|first1=Frankfurt Kurnit|last2=Jensen|first2=Selz PC-Frances|date=4 October 2021|title=The Chinese Government Bans PUBG Esports Among Stricter Regulations for Video Games|url=https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=6cfe5fb8-472c-44d7-b28d-f94bb9960ff0|access-date=28 December 2021|website=Lexology|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Standaert|first=Michael|title=Will teen gaming clampdown deal a knockout to China's esports?|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/9/10/will-teen-gaming-clampdown-deal-china-esports-a-technical-ko|access-date=28 December 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=9 September 2021|title=Chinese Esports Powerhouses Struggle as New Gaming Hours Ban Hits|url=https://www.esportsgrizzly.com/industry/chinese-esports-powerhouses-struggle-as-new-gaming-hours-ban-hits/|access-date=28 December 2021|website=Esports Grizzly|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Classification as a sport==
[[File:2019 SEA Games Esports Tekken 7 THA vs PHI 2.jpg|thumb|A match of ''[[Tekken 7]]'' at the [[Esports at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games|2019 Southeast Asian Games]]. Esports was a medal event at the regional games which featured mostly traditional sports.]]
Labeling competitive video games as a [[sport]] is a controversial topic.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://johancruyffinstitute.com/en/blog-en/esports-sport-or-business/ |title=eSports, sport or business? |website=Johan Cruyff Institute|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918211929/https://johancruyffinstitute.com/en/blog-en/esports-sport-or-business/|archive-date=18 September 2017}}</ref><ref>Ivo v. Hilvoorde & Niek Pot (2016) [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301774466_Embodiment_and_fundamental_motor_skills_in_eSports Embodiment and fundamental motor skills in eSports], Sport, Ethics and Philosophy, 10:1, 14–27, {{doi|10.1080/17511321.2016.1159246}}</ref><ref>Ivo van Hilvoorde (2016) [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303016888_Hilvoorde_I_van_2016_Sport_and_play_in_a_digital_world_guest_editorial_Sport_Ethics_and_Philosophy_DOI_1010801751132120161171252 Sport and play in a digital world], Sport, Ethics and Philosophy, 10:1, 1–4, {{doi|10.1080/17511321.2016.1171252}}</ref> Proponents<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Tjønndal|first=Anne|date=23 September 2020|title="What's next? Calling beer-drinking a sport?!": virtual resistance to considering eSport as sport|url=https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/SBM-10-2019-0085/full/html|journal=Sport, Business and Management|language=en|volume=11|issue=1|pages=72–88|doi=10.1108/SBM-10-2019-0085|s2cid=224973999|issn=2042-678X|url-access=subscription}}</ref> argue that esports are a fast-growing "non-traditional sport" which requires "careful planning, precise timing, and skillful execution".<ref>{{cite web|author=Tom Burns|date=26 July 2014|title='E-Sports' can now drop the 'e'|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/07/esports-can-now-drop-e-2014724112549724248.html|access-date=20 September 2015|publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> Others claim that sports involve physical fitness and physical training, and prefer to classify esports as a [[mind sport]].<ref>{{cite web|title=E-Sports and Other Games|url=http://www.worldmindsportsfederation.com/mind-sports/e-sports-and-other-games.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208045001/http://www.worldmindsportsfederation.com/mind-sports/e-sports-and-other-games.aspx|archive-date=8 December 2015|access-date=23 August 2015|publisher=World Mind Sports Federation}}</ref>

Former [[ESPN]] president [[John Skipper]] described esports in 2014 as a competition and "not a sport".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/espn-esports-league-of-legends-dota |title=ESPN's president says that eSports are not 'real sports,' and he's wrong |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |last=Schwartz |first=Nick |date=6 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vg247.com/2014/09/08/espn-boss-says-esports-are-not-real-sports/ |title=ESPN boss says eSports are not "real sports" |website=[[VG247]] |last=Hillier |first=Brenna |date=8 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/09/08/espn-boss-e-sports-arent-sports/ |title=ESPN boss: E-sports aren't sports |publisher=[[Engadget]] |last=Reahard |first=Jef |date=8 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2014/09/07/espn-boss-declares-esports-not-a-sport/ |title=ESPN Boss Declares eSports 'Not A Sport' |magazine=[[Forbes]] |last=Tassi |first=Paul |date=7 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/10/1/6864047/esports-espn-league-of-legends-lol-starcraft |title=Does eSports need ESPN before the mainstream accepts it? |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |last=Gera |first=Emily |date=1 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/espn-says-esports-isnt-a-sport-what-do-you-think/1100-6422148/ |title=ESPN Says eSports Isn't a Sport – What Do You Think? |website=GameSpot |author=Emanuel Maiberg |date=6 September 2014 |access-date=9 November 2014}}</ref> In 2013 on an episode of [[Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel]] the panelist openly laughed at the topic.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sarkar |first1=Samit |title=HBO's 'Real Sports' debates the merits of eSports |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/18/5225226/hbo-real-sports-debate-is-esports-a-sport |website=Polygon |date=18 December 2013 |access-date=13 May 2015}}</ref> In addition, many in the fighting games community maintain a distinction between their competitive gaming competitions and the more commercially connected esports competitions of other genres.<ref name="momentumMatters">{{cite web |last=Graham |first=David Philip |title=Guest Editorial – Momentum Matters: A Historical Perspective on the FGC and eSports |url=http://shoryuken.com/2011/12/12/guest-editorial-momentum-matters-a-historical-perspective-on-the-fgc-and-esports-communities-2/ |publisher=Shoryuken.com |date=12 December 2011 |access-date=6 June 2012 |archive-date=2 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802073526/http://shoryuken.com/2011/12/12/guest-editorial-momentum-matters-a-historical-perspective-on-the-fgc-and-esports-communities-2/ }}</ref> In the 2015 World Championship hosted by the [[International Esports Federation]], an esports panel of guests from international sports society discussed the future recognition of esports as a legitimate sport.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTEk0bh0GUQ |title=[2015 IESF] e-Sports Summit with International Sports Society -EsportsTV |date=3 December 2015 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

Russia was the first country that classified "cybersport" as an official sport discipline<ref>{{Cite news|title=Как Россия первой в мире признала киберспорт|url=https://matchtv.ru/cyber/matchtvnews_NI678327_Kak_Rossija_pervoj_v_mire_priznala_kibersport|access-date=23 October 2017|language=ru}}</ref> on 25 July 2001.<ref name=komsport2001>Приказ Госкомспорта РФ от 25 July 2001 № 449 «О введении видов спорта в государственные программы физического воспитания»</ref> After a series of reforms in Russian sports, it was classified as a sport again on 12 March 2004.<ref name=komsport2001 /><ref>Утв. приказом Госкомспорта РФ от 14 April 2003 № 225 «О перечне видов спорта, признанных федеральным органом исполнительной власти в области физической культуры и спорта» с последующими изменениями.</ref><ref name=fedagent2006>Приказ Федерального агентства по физической культуре и спорту от 4 июля 2006 г № 414 «О компьютерном спорте»</ref><ref>Положение «О Всероссийском реестре видов спорта (ВРВС)» (утв. Приказом Федерального агентства по физической культуре, спорту и туризму от 28 сентября 2004 г № 273)</ref> In July 2006, it was removed from a list of sport disciplines because it did not fit the new sport standards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.proplay.ru/news/2030/|title=ProPlay / Новости / Киберспорт более не имеет официального статуса|website=www.proplay.ru}}</ref><ref>См. Приказ Федерального агентства по физической культуре и спорту от 4 июля 2006 г № 414 «О компьютерном спорте»; Положение «О Всероссийском реестре видов спорта (ВРВС)» (утв. Приказом Федерального агентства по физической культуре, спорту и туризму от 28 сентября 2004 г № 273).</ref> On 7 July 2016, [[Ministry of Sport (Russia)|The Ministry of Sport]] decided to add cybersport into the sport registry<ref name="pravo-esports">{{cite web|url=http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/Document/View/0001201606070022?index=0&rangeSize=1|title=Официальный интернет-портал правовой информации|publisher=publication.pravo.gov.ru|access-date=8 June 2016|archive-date=11 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611013229/http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/Document/View/0001201606070022?index=0&rangeSize=1}}</ref> and on 13 April 2017, esports become an official sport discipline once again.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

China was another one of the first countries to recognize esports as a real sport in 2003,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lu |first=Zhouxiang |date=11 December 2016 |title=From E-Heroin to E-Sports: The Development of Competitive Gaming in China |journal=The International Journal of the History of Sport |volume=33 |issue=18 |pages=2186–2206 |doi=10.1080/09523367.2017.1358167 |s2cid=148906225 |issn=0952-3367}}</ref> despite concerns at the time that video games were addictive. Through this, the government encouraged esports, stating that by participating in esports, players were also "training the body for China".<ref>{{cite journal | title = Game On: The Rise of the eSports Middle Kingdom | first = Haiqing | last = Yu | date = 2018 | journal = Media Industries| volume = 5 | issue = 1 | doi = 10.3998/mij.15031809.0005.106 | doi-access = free | hdl = 2027/spo.15031809.0005.106 | hdl-access = free }}</ref> Furthermore, by early 2019, China recognized esports players as an official profession within the [[Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security]]'s Occupation Skill Testing Authority recommendations, as well as professional gaming operators, those that distribute and manage esports games.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/osta-china-gaming-profession-1203126468/ | title = China to Recognize Gaming as Official Profession | first = Emily | last= Gera | date = 1 February 2019 | access-date = 24 September 2019 | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] }}</ref> By July 2019, more than 100,000 people had registered themselves as professional gamers under this, with the Ministry stating that they anticipate over 2 million such people in this profession in five years.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-07-19/beijing-pushing-esports-could-cause-culture-clashes | title = Chinese governments hand out cash, subsidies to encourage esports development | first = Shuli | last= Ren | date = 19 July 2019 | work = [[Bloomberg L.P.]] | via =[[Los Angeles Times]] }}</ref>

In 2013, Canadian ''League of Legends'' player [[Shiphtur|Danny "Shiphtur" Le]] became the first pro gamer to receive an American [[P-1A visa]], a category designated for "Internationally Recognized Athletes".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-online-gamers-20130808-story.html |title=Online game League of Legends star gets U.S. visa as pro athlete |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |author=Paresh Dave |date=7 August 2013 |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextchannel=19860b89284a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextoid=19860b89284a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD |title=P-1A Internationally Recognized Athlete |publisher=US Citizenship and Immigration Services |access-date=7 October 2013}}</ref> In 2014, Turkey's [[Ministry of Youth and Sports (Turkey)|Ministry of Youth and Sports]] started issuing esports licenses to players certified as professionals.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.merlininkazani.com/sizler-de-lisansli-e-sporcu-olabilirsiniz-espor-70805|title=Sizler de lisanslı E-Sporcu olabilirsiniz |date=8 February 2014 |access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://5mid.com/espor-nedir |title=E-Spor Nedir? |access-date=17 January 2018 |archive-date=29 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129031327/http://5mid.com/espor-nedir }}</ref> In 2016, the French government started working on a project to regulate and recognize esports.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/05/03/french-government-announces-plans-to-legalize-and-regulate-esports-industry/ |title=French government announces plans to legalize and regulate esports industry |website=VentureBeat|date=3 May 2016 |access-date=14 September 2016}}</ref> The [[Games and Amusements Board]] of the Philippines started issuing athletic licenses to Filipino esports players who are vouched for by a professional esports team in July 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sheldon |first1=David |title=Philippines Officially Recognizes eSports As A Real Sport |url=https://www.casino.org/blog/philippines-officially-recognizes-esports-as-a-real-sport/ |access-date=22 October 2017 |work=Casino Org |date=22 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="abs-cbn">{{cite news |last1=Regalado |first1=Pia |title=The Philippines' new athletes: eSports gamers |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/focus/10/10/17/the-philippines-new-athletes-esports-gamers |access-date=22 October 2017 |publisher=ABS-CBN |date=10 October 2017}}</ref>

To help promote esports as a legitimate sport, several esports events have been run alongside more traditional international sports competitions. The [[2007 Asian Indoor Games]] was the first notable multi-sport competition including esports as an official medal-winning event, alongside other traditional sports, and the later editions of the [[Asian Indoor Games]], as well as its successor the [[Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games]], have always included esports as an official medal event or an exhibition event up to now. Moreover, the [[Asian Games]], which is the Asian top-level multi-sport competition, also included esports as a medal event at the [[2022 Asian Games|2022 edition]]; esports around games such as ''Hearthstone'', ''Starcraft II'', and ''League of Legends'' were [[Esports at the 2018 Asian Games|presented as an exhibition event]] at the [[2018 Asian Games]] as a lead-in to the 2022 games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://compete.kotaku.com/esports-will-become-a-medal-event-at-the-2022-asian-gam-1794431163 |title=Esports Will Become A Medal Event At The 2022 Asian Games |first=Maddy |last=Myers |date=18 April 2017 |access-date=18 April 2017 |work=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref><ref name="ap 2018 asian games"/> The [[2019 Southeast Asian Games]] included six medal events for esports.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/esports-is-an-official-medal-event-at-the-southeast-asian-games/ | title = Esports is an official medal event at the Southeast Asian Games |first = Fraser | last =Brown | date = 28 November 2018 | access-date = 28 November 2018 | work = [[PC Gamer]] }}</ref> Since 2018, [[World Sailing]] has held an [[eSailing World Championship]] that showed a main sports federation embracing esports.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sailing.org/news/89460.php|title=Velista71 wins eSailing World Championship title|website=sailing.org}}</ref> The [[Virtual Regatta]] race shadowing the [[2020-2021 Vendee Globe]] was the first online game believe to have in excess of 1,000,000 unique users<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.sw.siemens.com/simcenter/vendee-globe-a-digital-twist/|title = Vendée Globe: A digital twist?|date = 4 February 2021}}</ref>

Ahead of [[The International 2021]], which was originally set to take place in [[Stockholm]] in 2020, the [[Swedish Sports Confederation]] voted in June 2021 to deny recognition of esports as a sporting event, which jeopardized plans for how Valve had arranged the event in regards to travel visas for international players. Valve had tried to work with Sweden to accommodate players, but eventually rescheduled the event to Romania instead.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/22/22545319/dota-2-the-international-valve-sweden-europe | title = Dota 2's The International might not take place in Sweden after all | first = Jay | last = Peters | date = 22 June 2021 | access-date = 22 June 2021 | work = [[The Verge]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamesn.com/dota-2/ti10-date-romania | title = Dota 2's The International gets new dates after Sweden says no to esports | first = Dustin | last = Bailey | date = 7 July 2021 | access-date = 8 July 2021 | work = [[PCGamesN]] }}</ref>

The [[2022 Commonwealth Games]] featured esports competitions as a pilot ahead of being a potential full medal event for 2026.<ref>{{cite web | url  =https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-02-09-esports-coming-to-the-2022-commonwealth-games | title = Esports coming to 2022 Commonwealth Games | first =  Victoria | last = Kennedy | date = 9 February 2022 | access-date = 9 February 2022 | work = [[Eurogamer]] }}</ref>

In [[Greece]], in March 2022 a law entered into force recognising and regulating esports<ref>[https://www.e-nomothesia.gr/kat-athlitismos/nomos-4908-2022-phek-52a-11-3-2022.html Law 4908/2022], articles 28–35, published and entered into force on 11 March 2022.</ref> and in June 2023, the relevant federation for esports has been officially given recognition<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ανάρτηση Πράξεων στο Διαδίκτυο {{!}} Πρόγραμμα Δι@ύγεια – Απόφαση χορήγησης ειδικής αθλητικής αναγνώρισης στην "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΟΜΟΣΠΟΝΔΙΑ ΗΛΕΚΤΡΟΝΙΚΟΥ ΑΘΛΗΤΙΣΜΟΥ" για τα ηλεκτρονικά αθλήματα (e-sports). |url=https://diavgeia.gov.gr/decision/view/9%CE%9B%CE%A754653%CE%A04-%CE%A72%CE%91 |access-date=15 June 2023 |website=diavgeia.gov.gr}}</ref> and included in the list of sports federations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ΟΜΟΣΠΟΝΔΙΕΣ |url=https://gga.gov.gr/epopteyomenoi-foreis/omospondies |access-date=15 June 2023 |website=gga.gov.gr |date=14 November 2012 }}</ref>

===Olympic Games recognition===
The [[Olympic Games]] are also seen as a potential method to legitimize esports. A summit held by the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) in October 2017 acknowledged the growing popularity of esports, concluding that "Competitive 'esports' could be considered as a sporting activity, and the players involved prepare and train with an intensity which may be comparable to athletes in traditional sports" but would require any games used for the Olympics fitting "with the rules and regulations of the Olympic movement".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/e-sports-gets-closer-to-being-part-of-the-olympics-games-2017-10 |title=E-sports just got closer to being part of the Olympics |first=Karolos |last=Grohmann |date=28 October 2017 |access-date=5 November 2017 |agency=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> Another article by Andy Stout suggests that 106 million people viewed the [[2017 League of Legends World Championship|2017 Worlds Esports competition]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andy Stout2017-11-10T11:51:00+00:00 |title=How big is the eSports opportunity? |url=https://www.ibc.org/trends/how-big-is-the-esports-opportunity/2533.article |access-date=9 November 2022 |website=IBC |language=en}}</ref> International Olympic Committee (IOC) president [[Thomas Bach]] has noted that the IOC is troubled by violent games and the lack of a global sanctioning body for esports.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/8/30/16228134/olympics-esports-violent-video-games |title=If esports come to the Olympics, don't expect to see 'violent' titles |first=Owen |last=Good |date=30 August 2017 |access-date=30 August 2017 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref><ref name="ap 2018 asian games">{{cite web | url = https://apnews.com/3615bd17ebb8478ab534691080a9a32a | title = Bach: No Olympic future for esports until 'violence' removed | first = Stephen | last = Wade | date = 1 September 2018 | access-date = 3 September 2018 | publisher = [[Associated Press]] }}</ref> Bach acknowledged that many Olympic sports originated from violent combat, but stated that "sport is the civilized expression about this. If you have egames where it's about killing somebody, this cannot be brought into line with our Olympic values."<ref name="ap 2018 asian games"/> Due to that, the IOC suggested that they would approve more esports centered around games that simulate real sports, such as the ''[[NBA 2K]]'' or ''[[FIFA (video game series)|FIFA]]'' series.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/03/olympic-committee-open-to-esports-but-only-without-violence/ | title = Violent video games not welcome for Olympic esports consideration | first = Kyle | last = Orland | date = 13 March 2018 | access-date = 14 March 2018 | work = [[Ars Technica]] }}</ref>

The issues around esports have not prevented the IOC from exploring what possibilities there are for incorporation into future Olympics. In July 2018, the IOC and the [[Global Association of International Sports Federations]] (GAISF) held a symposium and invited major figures in esports, including [[Epic Games]]' [[Mark Rein (software executive)|Mark Rein]], [[Blizzard Entertainment]]'s [[Mike Morhaime]], and esports players Dario "TLO" Wünsch, [[Jake (video game player)|Jacob "Jake" Lyon]], and [[Geguri|Se-yeon "Geguri" Kim]], for these organizations "to gain a deeper understanding of esports, their impact and likely future development, so that [they] can jointly consider the ways in which [they] may collaborate to the mutual benefit of all of sport in the years ahead".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://globalnews.ca/news/4340744/esports-in-olympics/ | title = Video gaming as an Olympic sport? IOC hosting eSports forum to better understand competitive gaming | first= Adam | last = Frisk | date = 19 July 2018 | access-date = 20 July 2018 | work = [[Global News]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/07/20/overwatch-players-involved-in-talks-with-olympic-committee-to-discuss-esports-opportunities | title = Overwatch Players Involved In Talks With Olympic Committee To Discuss Esports Opportunities | first = Michael | last= Dominaco | date = 20 July 2018 | access-date = 20 July 2018 | work = [[IGN]] }}</ref> The IOC has tested the potential for esports through exhibition games. With support from the IOC, [[Intel]] sponsored exhibition esports events for ''[[StarCraft II]]'' and ''[[Steep (video game)|Steep]]'' prior to the [[2018 Winter Olympics]] in [[Pyeongchang]], and five South Korean esports players were part of the [[Olympic Torch]] relay.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2017/11/03/esports-pyeongchang-olympics-extreme-masters/ |title=Esports event in PyeongChang before Olympics supported by IOC |first=Nick |last=Zaccardi |date=3 November 2017 |access-date=5 November 2017 |work=[[NBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.wired.com/story/esports-pyeongchang-olympics/ | title = ESPORTS ZERG-RUSH THE OLYMPICS—BUT CAN THEY BECOME OFFICIAL EVENTS? | first= Phuc | last =Pham | date = 9 February 2018 | access-date =10 February 2018 | magazine = [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] }}</ref> A similar exhibition showcase, the [[eGames (esports)|eGames]], was held alongside the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] in [[Rio de Janeiro]], though this was not supported by the IOC.

During the Eighth Olympic Summit in December 2019, the IOC reiterated that it would only consider sports-simulating games for any official Olympic event, but it would look at two paths for such games in the future: those that promoted good physical and mental health lifestyles, and [[virtual reality]] and [[augmented reality]] games that included physical activity.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/ioc-to-form-two-speed-esports-strategy/ | title = IOC to form 'two-speed' esports strategy | date = 9 December 2019 | access-date = 10 December 2019 | work = [[Sports Business]] }}</ref>

In the late 2010s, leaders in Japan became involved in helping bring esports to the [[2020 Summer Olympics]] and beyond, given the country's reputation as a major video game industry centre. Esports in Japan had not flourished due to the country's anti-gambling laws that also prevent paid professional gaming tournaments, but there were efforts starting in late 2017 to eliminate this issue.<ref name="bloomberg olympics 2024"/> At the suggestion of the [[Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games|Tokyo Olympic Games Committee]] for the 2020 Summer Olympics, four esports organizations have worked with Japan's leading [[consumer organization]] to exempt esports tournaments from gambling law restrictions. [[Takeo Kawamura (politician)|Takeo Kawamura]], a member of the [[House of Representatives (Japan)|Japanese House of Representatives]] and of the ruling [[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|Liberal Democratic Party]], led a coalition of ruling and opposing politicians to support esports, called the Japan esports Union, or JeSU.<ref name="bloomberg japan jul2018">{{cite news | url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-10/this-139-year-old-company-has-a-plan-to-get-millennials-excited | title = You Can Now Officially Play Esports for Money in Japan | first1 = Yuri | last1 = Nakamura | first2= Yuki | last2= Furikawa | date =10 July 2018 | access-date = 13 July 2018 | work = [[Bloomberg L.P.]] }}</ref> Kawamura said that they would be willing to pass laws to further exempt esports as needed so that esports athletes can make a living playing these sports. So far, this has resulted in the ability of esports players to obtain exemption licenses to allow them to play, a similar mechanism needed for professional athletes in other sports in Japan to play professionally.<ref name="bloomberg olympics 2024">{{cite news | url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-18/shinzo-abe-s-party-wants-japan-ready-for-video-games-in-olympics | title = Shinzo Abe's Party Wants Japan Ready for Video Games in Olympics |author1=Yuji Nakamura |author2=Emi Nobuhiro |author3=Takako Taniguchi | date = 18 January 2018 | access-date = 19 January 2018 | work = [[Bloomberg Businessweek]] }}</ref> The first such licenses were given out in mid-July 2018, via a tournament held by several video game publishers to award prizes to many players but with JeSU offering these exemption licenses to the top dozen or so players that emerge, allowing them to compete in further esports events.<ref name="bloomberg japan jul2018"/> The Tokyo Olympic Committee has also planned to arrange a number of esports events leading up to the 2020 games.<ref name="bloomberg olympics 2024"/> With the IOC, five esports events were set as part of an Olympic Virtual Series from 13 May to 23 June 2021, ahead of the games. Each event in auto racing, baseball, cycling, rowing and sailing will be managed by an IOC-recognized governing body for the sport along with a video game publisher of a game for that sport. For example, the auto racing event will be based on the ''[[GT racing|Gran Turismo]]'' series and overseen by the [[International Automobile Federation]] along with [[Polyphony Digital]]. The baseball, cycling, and [[ESailing World Championship#Olympics Virtual Series (OVS) Esailing Champions|esailing]] events will be based on ''[[Power Pros|eBaseball Powerful Pro Baseball 2020]]'', ''[[Zwift]]'', and ''[[Virtual Regatta]]'', respectively.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/esports/2021/04/22/ioc-olympics-esports/ | title = IOC announces inaugural slate of Olympic-licensed esports events | first = Des | last = Bieler | date = 22 April 2021 | access-date = 23 April 2021 | newspaper = [[The Washington Post]] }}</ref>

The organization committee for the [[2024 Summer Olympics]] in Paris were in discussions with the IOC and the various professional esports organizations to consider esports for the event, citing the need to include these elements to keep the Olympics relevant to younger generations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/olympics/story/_/id/20286757/paris-open-esports-competition-2024-summer-olympics |title=Paris Olympic bid committee is open to esports on 2024 Olympic program |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=9 August 2017 |access-date=9 August 2017}}</ref> Ultimately, the organization committee determined esports were premature to bring to the 2024 Games as medal events, but have not ruled out other activities related to esports during the Games.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://fortune.com/2018/12/10/olympics-video-games-paris-2024/ | title = Video Games Won't Be Part of the Paris Olympics | first= Chris | last= Morris | date = 10 December 2018 | access-date = 10 December 2018 | work = [[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] }}</ref>

In September 2021, the Olympic Council of Asia announced eight esports games will officially debut as medal sports for the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.<ref>{{cite web|last=Daniels|first=Tom|date=8 September 2021|title=LoL, Dota 2, and Street Fighter V among 2022 Asian Games medal events|url=https://esportsinsider.com/2021/09/lol-dota-2-and-street-fighter-v-among-2022-asian-games-medal-events/|access-date=15 November 2021|website=Esports Insider|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In December 2021, the IOC confirmed its Olympic Virtual Series (OVS) will return in 2022. The first edition of the OVS which ran from 13 May to 23 June, featured nearly 250,000 participants and had more than two million entries.<ref>{{cite web|date=13 December 2021|title=IOC's Olympic Virtual Series to return in 2022|url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/ioc-olympic-virtual-series-2022-esports-gaming/|work =Sports Pro|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In January 2022, the IOC announced the appointment of the organization's first ever head of virtual sport, tasked with the development of virtual sport for the global Olympic body, increasing the organization's engagement with gaming communities, and overseeing the Olympic Virtual Series, IOC's first licensed non-physical sports event. The inaugural series included virtual baseball, cycling, rowing, [[Esailing World Championship#Olympics Virtual Series (OVS) Esailing Champions|esailing]] and motorsports events.<ref>{{cite web|date=17 January 2022|title=IOC hires Vincent Pereira as first ever head of virtual sport|url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/ioc-vincent-pereira-virtual-sport-head-esports-olympics/|work =Sports Pro|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In February 2022, the [[Commonwealth Games Federation]] announced that esports would be included in the [[2022 Commonwealth Games]] as a pilot event, with the possibility of it being a medal event in the [[2026 Commonwealth Games|2026 Games]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Esports to be included as pilot event at 2022 Commonwealth Games |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/33252463/esports-included-pilot-event-2022-commonwealth-games |access-date=17 April 2022 |work=[[ESPN]] |agency=[[Reuters]] |date=9 February 2022}}</ref> The inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championship had separate branding, medals, and organization and included both men and women's ''[[Dota 2]]'', ''[[Pro Evolution Soccer|eFootball]]'', and ''[[Rocket League]]'' events.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Freeman |first1=Jay |title=Esports: Commonwealth Games trial an 'opportunity to show it is more than just a game' |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/commonwealth-games/60632666 |access-date=17 April 2022 |work=[[BBC]] |date=22 March 2022}}</ref>

As a follow-up to 2021's Olympic Virtual Series, the IOC and the [[Singapore National Olympic Council]] held the inaugural [[Olympic Esports Week]] in Singapore in June 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Olympic Esports Series will feature 'Just Dance,' 'Gran Turismo' and chess |url=https://www.engadget.com/the-olympic-esports-series-will-feature-just-dance-gran-turismo-and-chess-172704742.html |access-date=2 March 2023 |website=Engadget |date=March 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> Games featured at the event included:<ref>{{cite press release | url = https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-announces-olympic-esports-series-2023 | title = IOC announces Olympic Esports Series 2023 with winners to be crowned at live finals in Singapore from 22 to 25 June | publisher = [[International Olympic Committee]] | date = 1 March 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/fortnite-is-now-an-olympic-esport-143312772.html |  title = The Olympic Esports Series will feature 'Just Dance,' 'Gran Turismo' and chess | first = Jon | last = Fingas | date = 5 May 2023 | access-date = 5 May 2023 | work = [[Engadget]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 May 2023 |title=Ticket details released for first-ever Olympic Esports Week, with sport shooting joining the competition line-up |url=https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ticket-details-released-for-first-ever-olympic-esports-week |access-date=3 November 2023 |website=International Olympic Committee}}</ref>
* ''Tic Tac Bow'' (archery)
* ''[[Power Pros|WBSC eBaseball: Power Pros]]'' (baseball)
* [[Chess.com]] (chess)
* ''[[Zwift]]'' (cycling)
* ''[[Just Dance (video game series)|Just Dance]]'' (dancing)
* ''[[Gran Turismo (series)|Gran Turismo]]'' (motor sport)
* ''[[Virtual Regatta]]'' ([[Esailing World Championship#Olympics Virtual Series (OVS) Esailing Champions|esailing]])
* ''[[Fortnite]]'' (sharpshooting)
* ''Virtual Taekwondo'' (taekwondo)
* ''Tennis Clash'' (tennis)

In June 2024, the IOC Executive Board announced the proposal to establish the Olympic Esports Games during the [[142nd IOC Session]] held prior to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, with the inaugural event to take place in 2025 at Saudi Arabia following a new partnership with [[Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee|their National Olympic Committee]], later rescheduled for 2027.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://deadline.com/2024/07/saudi-arabia-host-for-inaugural-olympic-esports-games-1236008323/ | title = Saudi Arabia Proposed As Host For Inaugural Olympic Esports Games | first = Melanie | last = Goodfellow | date = 12 July 2024 | access-date = 13 July 2024 | work = [[Deadline Hollywood]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-announces-olympic-esports-games-to-be-hosted-in-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia | title = IOC announces Olympic Esports Games to be hosted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | date = 12 July 2024 | access-date = 23 July 2024 | work = [[International Olympic Committee]] }}</ref> The proposal was ultimately approved by a unanimous vote on 23 July 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-enters-a-new-era-with-the-creation-of-olympic-esports-games-first-games-in-2025-in-saudi-arabia | title = IOC enters a new era with the creation of Olympic Esports Games – first Games in 2025 in Saudi Arabia | access-date = 23 July 2024 | work = [[International Olympic Committee]] }}</ref> The partnership with the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, initially slated for 12 years, would end prematurely on 30 October 2025. The IOC will still organize the Olympic Esports Games, but under a new partnership structure.<ref>{{cite news |title=IOC, Saudi Arabia cancel 12-year deal to host Esports Olympics |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/46779070/ioc-saudi-arabia-cancel-12-year-deal-host-esports-olympics |access-date=30 October 2025 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=30 October 2025}}</ref>

==Games==
{{main|List of esports games}}

A number of games are popular among professional competitors. The tournaments which emerged in the mid-1990s coincided with the popularity of [[fighting game]]s and [[first-person shooter]]s, genres which still maintain a devoted fan base. In the 2000s, [[real-time strategy]] games became overwhelmingly popular in South Korean [[internet café]]s, with crucial influence on the development of esports worldwide. Competitions exist for many titles and genres, though the most popular games{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}} as of the early 2020s are ''[[Counter-Strike: Global Offensive]]'', ''[[Call of Duty]]'', ''[[League of Legends]]'', ''[[Dota 2]]'', ''[[Fortnite Battle Royale|Fortnite]]'', ''[[Rocket League]]'', ''[[Valorant]]'', ''[[Hearthstone (video game)|Hearthstone]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', ''[[StarCraft II]]'' and ''[[Overwatch (video game)|Overwatch]]''.<ref name="momentum">{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamesn.com/starcraft/2012-esports-battle-momentum-between-league-legends-starcraft-2-and-dota-2 |title=2012 in eSports: the battle for momentum between League of Legends, StarCraft 2, and Dota 2 |publisher=PC Games N |author=robzacny |date=31 December 2012 |access-date=15 November 2013}}</ref> ''[[Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft|Hearthstone]]'' has also popularized the [[digital collectible card game]] (DCCG) genre since its release in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Tim |title=What I learned from playing with a professional Hearthstone coach |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/hearthstone-help-what-i-learned-from-playing-with-a-professional-coach/ |website=www.pcgamer.com |date=20 August 2014 |access-date=22 February 2015}}</ref>

==Video game design==
{{see also|Video game design}}

While it is common for video games to be designed with the experience of the player in game being the only priority, many successful esports games have been designed to be played professionally from the beginning. Developers may decide to add dedicated esports features, or even make design compromises to support high level competition. Games such as ''StarCraft II'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5777029/the-sacrifices-of-starcraft-ii-made-in-the-name-of-esports |title=The Sacrifices of StarCraft II Made In The Name of Sports |publisher=Kotaku |author=Michael McWhertor |date=4 March 2011 |access-date=8 October 2013}}</ref> ''League of Legends'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamesn.com/leagueoflegends/how-riot-games-are-building-better-league-legends-and-catching-their-own-success |title=How Riot Games are building a better League of Legends, and catching up to their own success |publisher=PC GamesN |author=robzacny |date=24 October 2012 |access-date=8 October 2013}}</ref> and ''Dota 2''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://esportsbusiness.com/valve-show-developers-how-to-support-esports-with-dota-2/ |title=Valve show developers how to support eSports with Dota 2 |publisher=Esports Business |author=Alan LaFleur |date=21 June 2012 |access-date=8 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222120743/http://esportsbusiness.com/valve-show-developers-how-to-support-esports-with-dota-2/ |archive-date=22 December 2013 }}</ref> have all been designed, at least in part, to support professional competition.

===Spectator mode===
In addition to allowing players to participate in a given game, many game developers have added dedicated observing features for the benefit of spectators. This can range from simply allowing players to watch the game unfold from the competing player's point of view, to a highly modified interface that gives spectators access to information even the players may not have. The state of the game viewed through this mode may tend to be delayed by a certain amount of time in order to prevent either teams in a game from gaining a competitive advantage. Games with these features include those in the ''[[Counter-Strike]]'' series,<ref>{{cite web |author=Jordan Devore |date=10 November 2013 |title=The latest Counter-Strike: GO update is for spectators |url=http://www.destructoid.com/the-latest-counter-strike-go-update-is-for-spectators-263441.phtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115064038/http://www.destructoid.com/the-latest-counter-strike-go-update-is-for-spectators-263441.phtml |archive-date=15 November 2013 |access-date=3 November 2013 |website=Destructoid}}</ref> ''[[Call of Duty]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gammagamers.com/black-ops-2-codcaster-system.html#.U67tWLEVCnY |title=Black Ops 2 CoDCaster System |publisher=Gamma Gamers |author=Steve Smith |date=15 August 2012 |access-date=28 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812141220/http://www.gammagamers.com/black-ops-2-codcaster-system.html#.U67tWLEVCnY |archive-date=12 August 2014 }}</ref> ''StarCraft II'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamesn.com/starcraft/starcraft-2s-new-observer-ui-mod-tool-should-make-better-esports-broadcasts |title=StarCraft 2's new observer UI mod tool should make for better eSports broadcasts |publisher=PC GamesN |author=Jeremy Peel |date=16 January 2013 |access-date=3 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/7/29/4569606/starcraft-2-update-adds-new-esports-features-color-blind-mode |title=StarCraft 2 update adds new eSports features, color blind mode |website=Polygon |author=Michael McWhertor |date=29 July 2013 |access-date=3 November 2013}}</ref> and ''Dota 2.''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/08/17/dota-2-tournament-showcases-valves-e-sports-spectator-package/ |title=Dota 2 tournament showcases Valve's e-sports spectator package |magazine=PC Gamer |author=Tom Senior |date=17 August 2011 |access-date=3 November 2013}}</ref> ''League of Legends'' includes spectator features, which are restricted to custom game modes.<ref name="Spectator FAQ">{{cite web |title=Spectator FAQ |publisher=Riot Games |url=http://na.leagueoflegends.com/spectator-faq |access-date=22 January 2014 |archive-date=28 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728061409/http://na.leagueoflegends.com/spectator-faq }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/previews/the-full-breakdown-on-league-of-legends-spectator-mode/ |title=The full breakdown on League of Legends' Spectator Mode |magazine=PC Gamer |author=Lucas Sullivan |date=17 June 2011 |access-date=3 November 2013}}</ref>

In response to the release of [[virtual reality headset]]s in 2016, some games, such as ''Dota 2'', were updated to include virtual reality spectating support.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Thursten |first1=Chris |title=Dota 2 Battle Pass update adds crazy new VR spectator mode |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/dota-2-battle-pass-update-adds-crazy-new-vr-spectator-mode/ |magazine=PC Gamer |date=28 July 2016 |access-date=9 August 2016}}</ref>

===Online===
A very common method for connection is the [[Online game|Internet]]. Game servers are often separated by region, but high quality connections allow players to set up real-time connections across the world. Downsides to online connections include increased difficulty detecting [[Cheating in online games|cheating]] compared to physical events, and greater [[Latency (engineering)|network latency]], which can negatively impact players' performance, especially at high levels of competition. Many competitions take place online, especially for smaller tournaments and [[exhibition game]]s.

Since the 1990s, professional teams or organized [[clan (computer gaming)|clans]] have set up matches via [[Internet Relay Chat]] networks such as [[QuakeNet]]. As esports have developed, it has also become common for players to use automated matchmaking clients built into the games themselves. This was popularized by the 1996 release of [[Blizzard Entertainment|Blizzard]]'s [[Battle.net]], which has been integrated into both the ''[[Warcraft (series)|Warcraft]]'' and ''[[StarCraft (series)|StarCraft]]'' series. Automated matchmaking has become commonplace in console gaming as well, with services such as [[Xbox Live]] and the [[PlayStation Network]]. After competitors have contacted each other, the game is often managed by a [[game server]], either remotely to each of the competitors, or running on one of the competitor's machines.

===Local area network===
{{further|LAN party}}

Additionally, competitions are also often conducted over a [[local area network]] or LAN. The smaller network usually has very little [[lag (video games)|lag]] and higher [[Quality of service|quality]]. Because competitors must be physically present, LANs help ensure fair play by allowing direct scrutiny of competitors. This helps prevent many forms of cheating, such as unauthorized hardware or software [[modding]]. The physical presence of competitors helps create a more social atmosphere at LAN events. Many gamers organize [[LAN party|LAN parties]] or visit [[Internet café]]s, and most major tournaments are conducted over LANs.

Individual games have taken various approaches to LAN support. In contrast to the original ''[[StarCraft]]'', ''[[StarCraft II]]'' was released without support for LAN play, drawing some strongly negative reactions from players.<ref>{{cite web |title=Why StarCraft II Still Doesn't Support Local Multiplayer |url=http://kotaku.com/5919892/why-starcraft-ii-still-doesnt-support-local-multiplayer |publisher=Kotaku |date=20 June 2012 |access-date=7 September 2013 |author=Jason Schreier|author-link=Jason Schreier}}</ref> ''League of Legends'' was originally released for online play only, but announced in October 2012 that a LAN client was in the works for use in major tournaments.<ref>{{cite web |title=League of Legends LAN version in development at Riot Games, Mac client news coming |url=http://www.polygon.com/2012/10/17/3515164/league-of-legends-lan-version-in-development-at-riot-games-mac-client |date=12 October 2012 |author=Michael McWhertor |website=Polygon |access-date=7 September 2013}}</ref> In September 2013, Valve added general support for LAN play to ''[[Dota 2]]'' in a patch for the game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techinasia.com/dota-2-update-lan-feature-worth-excited/ |title=DOTA 2 update: Why the LAN feature is something worth being excited about |author=Xairylle |publisher=TechInAsia |date=20 September 2013 |access-date=23 September 2013}}</ref>

==Players and teams==

=== General players and teams ===
Professional gamers are often associated with esports teams or broader gaming and entertainment organizations. Teams such as [[FaZe Clan]], [[Cloud9]], [[Fnatic]], [[T1 (esports)|T1]], [[G2 Esports]], and [[Natus Vincere]] have become successful within esports and now sponsor esports players around the world.<ref name="Forbes-Most-Valuable">{{cite web |last1=Knight |first1=Brett |title=The Most Valuable Esports Companies 2022 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brettknight/2022/05/06/the-most-valuable-esports-companies-2022/?sh=3e094ec9599f |website=Forbes |access-date=27 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Chalk |first1=Andy |title=Ukrainian esports team Na'Vi says it is 'not going to leave the country' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/ukrainian-esports-team-navi-says-it-is-not-going-to-leave-the-country/ |website=PC Gamer |access-date=27 March 2023 |language=en |date=12 March 2022}}</ref> These teams often cover multiple esports games within tournaments and leagues, with various team makeups for each game. They may also represent single players for one-on-one esports games like fighting games within [[Evolution Championship Series]], or ''Hearthstone'' tournaments. In addition to prize money from tournament wins, players in these teams and associations may also be paid a separate team salary. Team sponsorship may cover tournament travel expenses or gaming hardware. Prominent esports sponsors include companies such as [[Logitech]] and [[Razer Inc.|Razer]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esfiworld.com/interview-with-razers-global-e-sports-manager-the-business-behind-sponsoring-teams/ |title=Interview with Razer's global e-sports manager: The business behind sponsoring teams |author=Brent Ruiz |date=3 February 2013 |publisher=ESFI World |access-date=10 September 2013 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822230651/http://www.esfiworld.com/interview-with-razers-global-e-sports-manager-the-business-behind-sponsoring-teams/ |archive-date=22 August 2013 }}</ref> Teams feature these sponsors on their website, team jerseys and on their social media, in 2016 the biggest teams have social media followings of over a million.<ref>{{cite web |title=OpTic Gaming™ (@OpTicGaming) {{!}} Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/OpTicGaming|website=twitter.com|access-date=27 January 2016}}</ref> Associations include the [[Korea e-Sports Association]] (KeSPA), the [[International Esports Federation]] (IESF), the [[British Esports|British Esports Federation]], and the [[World Esports Association]] (WESA).

Some traditional sporting athletes have invested in esports, such as [[Rick Fox]]'s ownership of [[Echo Fox]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-18/former-nba-player-rick-fox-buys-esports-team-gravity |title=Former NBA Player Rick Fox Buys eSports Team Gravity |first=Scott |last=Soshnick |newspaper=Bloomberg.com |publisher=[[Bloomberg News]] |date=18 December 2015 |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> [[Jeremy Lin]]'s ownership of [[Team VGJ]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Van Allen|first1=Eric|title=Jeremy Lin endorses new Dota 2 team VGJ|url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17579673/jeremy-lin-endorse-new-dota-2-team-vgj|website=ESPN|date=18 September 2016|access-date=5 October 2016}}</ref> and [[Shaquille O'Neal]]'s investment in [[NRG Esports]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17209251/shaq-nrg-esports-pick-overwatch-team |title=Shaq, NRG Esports pick up Overwatch team |date=3 August 2016 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> Some association football teams, such as [[FC Schalke 04]] in Germany,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/15552685/soccer-org-schalke-04-finalizes-league-championship-series-roster-picks-fox |title=Sources: Soccer org Schalke 04 finalizes League Championship Series roster, picks up Fox |work=espn.com|date=15 May 2016 }}</ref> [[PSG Esports|Paris Saint-Germain]] in France;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/paris-saint-germain/story/2977336/psg-unveil-first-three-signings-in-ambitious-esports-venture |title=PSG unveil first three signings in ambitious eSports venture |first=Jonathan |last=Johnson |date=20 October 2016 |access-date=5 November 2016 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> [[Beşiktaş J.K.]], [[Fenerbahçe S.K.]], and [[Galatasaray S.K.]] in Turkey; [[Panathinaikos F.C.]] in Greece either sponsor or have complete ownership in esports teams.<ref>{{cite web |title=Espor nedir? Bora Koçyiğit Fanatik'e anlattı!|url=http://www.fanatik.com.tr/2017/04/06/espor-nedir-bora-kocyigit-fanatik-e-anlatti-1286961|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref>

Competitive esports tournaments in the most popular games pay hundreds to thousands of dollars to players for winning tournaments.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fang |first=Ben Westcott, Nanlin |date=31 December 2019 |title=They train 14 hours a day, 7 days a week, chasing million-dollar paydays. Meet China's new breed of esports athletes {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/30/tech/chinese-gamers-competition-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=13 February 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Dota 2]]''{{'}}s 2021 tournament [[The International (Dota 2)|The International]] had a prize pool over $40 million, the largest in esports history, thanks to its Compendium battle pass contributing a portion of its sales to it. ''[[Counter-Strike: Global Offensive]]'' had a total 2021 prize pool, across all tournaments, of around $22 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=5 Highest Paying Esports Games in 2022 - Gaming.net |url=https://www.gaming.net/5-highest-paying-esports-games-in-2022/ |access-date=25 February 2023 |website=www.gaming.net}}</ref> The current biggest esports tournament by prize pool, the King Pro League Grand Finals for ''[[Honor of Kings]]'', provides just under US$10 million for the twelve teams that take part.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Hongyu |title=Tencent's King Pro League Grand Finals to Feature $10M Prize Pool |url=https://esportsadvocate.net/2024/09/tencents-king-pro-league-grand-finals-to-feature-10m-prize-pool/ |access-date=November 11, 2024 |work=The Esports Advocate |date=September 20, 2024}}</ref> However, financial security in the industry is largely limited to players in top performing teams. One study found that only 1 in 5 professional gamers have careers that last longer than two years.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ward |first1=Michael R. |last2=Harmon |first2=Alexander D. |date=December 2019 |title=ESport Superstars |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1527002519859417 |journal=Journal of Sports Economics |language=en |volume=20 |issue=8 |pages=987–1013 |doi=10.1177/1527002519859417 |s2cid=219387589 |issn=1527-0025|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Team rosters are extremely volatile, sometimes changing players or rosters within a season.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Justice |first1=Glen |title=Professional Video Gaming |url=https://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2023030300 |journal=CQ Researcher |access-date=27 March 2023 |pages=1–19 |date=3 March 2023|volume=33 |issue=8 }}</ref>

While different from the regimens of traditional sports, esports athletes still have extensive training routines. [[Team Liquid]]'s professional ''League of Legends'' team practices for a minimum of 50 hours per week and most play the game far more.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/pro-gamers-explain-the-insane-training-regimen-they-use-to-stay-on-top-2015-5|title=Here's the insane training schedule of a 20-something professional gamer|work=Business Insider|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref> In April 2020, researchers from the [[Queensland University of Technology]] found that some of the top esports players showed similar aspects of [[mental toughness]] as [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] athletes.<ref name="QUT-20200611">{{cite news |author=[[Queensland University of Technology]] |title=Elite gamers share mental toughness with top athletes, study finds – The influence of mental toughness in elite esports |url=https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-06/quot-egs061120.php |date=11 June 2020 |work=[[EurekAlert!]] |access-date=11 June 2020 }}</ref><ref name="FIP-20200423">{{cite journal |author=Poulus, Dylan |display-authors=et al. |title=Stress and Coping in Esports and the Influence of Mental Toughness |date=23 April 2020 |journal=[[Frontiers in Psychology]] |volume=11 |article-number=628 |doi=10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00628 |pmid=32390900 |pmc=7191198 |doi-access=free }}</ref> This training schedule for players has resulted in many of them retiring an early age. Players are generally in competition by their mid- to late-teens, with most retiring by their late-20s.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/13053116/esports-athletes-put-hours-training-reach-pinnacle|title=Inside an eSports training regimen|work=ESPN.com|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref>

=== Unique players and teams ===
There is a long history of different esports teams or certain players in leagues that aren't exactly the same as most players. For example, there are many esports organizations or teams that are entirely made up of players that have [[Physical disability|physical disabilities]]. [https://www.oneesports.gg/gaming/permastunned-disabled-esports-team/ Permastunned] and [https://www.oneesports.gg/gaming/permastunned-disabled-esports-team/ ParaEsports] are great examples of this where ParaEsports is completely composed of professional ''[[Counter-Strike: Global Offensive|CS:GO]]'' players that have cerebral palsy. Whilst these teams aren't in many cases very successful in the major leagues of their respective esports, there are certain leagues or tournaments that are restricted to only have teams or players like these be able to compete. Although these teams or tournaments don't get nearly as much attention, budget, or prize pool as the main leagues of popular esports, it is still important to recognize these amazing players that have overcome their unfortunate positions and strive to succeed.

==Leagues and tournaments==
{{see also|List of esports leagues and tournaments}}

=== Promotion and relegation leagues ===
In most team-based esports, organized play is centered around the use of [[promotion and relegation]] to move sponsored teams between leagues within the competition's organization based on how the team fared in matches; this follows patterns of professional sports in European and Asian countries. Teams will play a number of games across a season as to vie for top positioning in the league by the end of that season. Those that do well, in addition to prize money, may be promoted into a higher-level league, while those that fare poorly can be regulated downward. For example, until 2018 Riot Games ran several ''League of Legends'' series, with the [[League of Legends Championship Series]] (LCS) being the top-tier series in North America and Europe. Teams that did not do well were relegated to the [[League of Legends Challenger Series]], replaced by the better performing teams from that series. This format was discontinued when Riot opted to use the franchise format in mid-2018, but has since adapted. As of 2025, the [[League of Legends Championship of The Americas]] (LTA, replacing the LCS in North America) and [[League of Legends Championship Pacific]] (LCP) have a hybrid system (first used in the [[Valorant Champions Tour]]), in which most teams are franchised and the teams that aren't can be relegated.

=== Franchised leagues ===
[[File:Fuel_vs_Excelsior_2019_Stage_3.jpg|thumb|right|A match from the second season of the Overwatch League, occurring at Blizzard Arena in Los Angeles]]
With rising interest in viewership of esports, some companies sought to create leagues that followed the franchise approach used in [[Professional sports league organization#Structure of North American leagues (Franchise and minor league system)|North American professional sports]], in which all teams, backed by a major financial sponsor to support the franchise, participate in a regular season of matches to vie for top standing as to participate in the post-season games. This approach is more attractive for larger investors, who would be more willing to back a team that remains playing in the esport's premiere league and not threatened to be relegated to a lower standing.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/ct-spt-overwatch-league-esports-espn-20180726-story.html | title = What's Overwatch? Why is it on ESPN? 8 things to know about competitive gaming | first = Jake | last = Snider | date = 26 July 2018 | access-date = 29 July 2018 | publisher = [[Associated Press]] | via=[[Chicago Tribune]] }}</ref> Though the details vary from league to league, these leagues generally require all signed player to have a minimum salary with appropriate benefits, and may share in the team's winnings. While there is no team promotion or relegation, players can be signed onto contracts, traded among teams, or let go as free agents, and new players may be pulled from the esports' equivalent [[minor league]].

The first such league to be formed was the [[Overwatch League]], established by [[Blizzard Entertainment]] in 2016 based on its ''[[Overwatch (video game)|Overwatch]]'' game.<ref name="wired">{{cite magazine | url = https://www.wired.com/story/overwatch-videogame-league-aims-to-become-new-nfl/ | title = The Overwatch Videogame League Aims to Become the New NFL | first = Nathan | last = Hill | date = 7 December 2017 | access-date = 7 December 2017 | magazine = [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]}}</ref> Initially launched in 2018 with 12 teams, the league expanded to twenty teams in 2019. Though the first two seasons were played at [[Blizzard Arena]] in Los Angeles, the Overwatch League's third season in 2020 will implement the typical home/away game format at esports arenas in the teams' various home cities or regions.<ref name="wapost codleague" /> The OWL would fold in 2023 and would be replaced by a more open esports structure for ''Overwatch'' known as the [[Overwatch Champions Series]] (OWCS).<ref name="dotesports owl">{{cite news |last1=Esguerra |first1=Tyler |title=Blizzard confirms Overwatch League is officially dead |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/breaking-blizzard-confirms-overwatch-league-dead |access-date=8 November 2023 |work=[[Dot Esports]] |date=8 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="forbes owcs">{{cite news |last1=Gardner |first1=Matt |title='Overwatch 2' Esports Returns With All-New Champions Series For 2024 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattgardner1/2024/01/23/overwatch-2-esports-returns-with-all-new-champions-series-for-2024/?sh=320f74687ffc |access-date=23 January 2024 |work=[[Forbes]] |date=23 January 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

[[Take-Two Interactive]] partnered with the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) to create the [[NBA 2K League]], using the ''[[NBA 2K]]'' game series. It is the first esports league to be operated by a professional sports league, and the NBA sought to have a League team partially sponsored by each of the 30 professional NBA teams. Its inaugural season started in May 2018 with 17 teams and expanded up to 25 teams, including teams owned by Gen.G and Australia's [[National Basketball League (Australia)|National Basketball League]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/nba-take-two-to-create-professional-videogame-league-1486616461 | title = NBA, Take-Two to Create Professional Videogame League | first = Sarah | last = Needleman | date = 9 February 2017 | access-date = 14 December 2017 | work = [[The Wall Street Journal]] }}</ref><ref name="nbl oz gaming">{{cite news |title=NBL Launches NBA 2K League Team |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/nbl-launches-nba-2k-league-team |access-date=7 October 2022 |work=[[National Basketball League (Australia)|NBL]] |date=7 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The league folded in 2024.

Similar to the NBA 2K League, [[EA Sports]] and [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS) established the eMLS in 2018, a league using EA's ''[[FIFA (video game series)|FIFA]]'' (now known as ''[[EA Sports FC]]'') series.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2018/1/12/16880590/fifa-18-esports-world-cup-emls | title = MLS launching esports league for FIFA 18 World Cup | first = Samit | last = Sarkar | date = 12 January 2018 | access-date = 12 January 2018 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref> EA would later establish esports leagues with other professional football leagues, ranging from the [[Premier League|English Premier League]] to the [[Saudi Pro League]], which would feed into qualification for the [[FIFAe World Cup]] and later the EA Sports FC Pro World Championship.

[[Activision]] launched its 12-team [[Call of Duty League]] in January 2020, following the format of the Overwatch League but based on the ''[[Call of Duty]]'' series.<ref name="wapost codleague">{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/09/25/new-call-duty-esports-league-will-begin-play-home-markets-start-with-teams/ |title= New Call of Duty esports league will begin play in home markets in 2020, start with 12 teams | first = Mike | last= Hume | date = 25 September 2019 | access-date = 28 September 2019 | newspaper = [[The Washington Post]] }}</ref>

Cloud9 and Dignitas, among others, developed a franchise-based ''Counter-Strike: Global Offensive'' league, Flashpoint, in February 2020. This was the first such esports league to be owned by the teams rather than any single organization.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-02-05-team-owned-cs-go-esport-league-launched | title = Major esport organisations launch new team-owned CS:GO league | first = Haydn | last =Taylor | date = 6 February 2020 | access-date = 6 February 2020 | work = [[GamesIndustry.biz]] }}</ref> Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and other complications, Flashpoint would be discontinued by 2022.<ref name="Jacobwolf Flashpoint">{{cite news |last1=Wolf |first1=Jacob |title=Flashpoint dead as members walk away from competitive Counter-Strike |url=https://www.jacobwolf.report/p/flashpoint-dead-members-walk-away-competitive-counterstrike |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203102246/https://www.jacobwolf.report/p/flashpoint-dead-members-walk-away-competitive-counterstrike |url-status=usurped |archive-date=3 December 2023 |access-date=13 February 2024 |work=The Jacob Wolf Report}}</ref>

===Tournaments===
[[File:Goście Intel Extreme Masters (8465481816).jpg|thumb|left|Casual players at the 2013 [[Intel Extreme Masters]] in [[Katowice]], Poland]]

Esports are also frequently played in tournaments, where potential players and teams vie to be placed through qualification matches before entering the tournament. From there, the tournament formats can vary from [[Single-elimination tournament|single]] or [[Double-elimination tournament|double elimination]], sometimes hybridized with [[Round-robin tournament|group stages]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gotfrag.com/portal/story/40273/ |title=GotFrag eSports – All Games News Story – TF2 Referees Wanted |publisher=Gotfrag.com |date=10 October 2007 |access-date=4 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528203921/http://www.gotfrag.com/portal/story/40273 |archive-date=28 May 2012}}</ref> Esports tournaments are almost always physical events in which occur in front of a live audience, with referees or officials to monitor for cheating. The tournament may be part of a larger gathering, such as [[Dreamhack]], or the competition may be the entirety of the event, like the [[World Cyber Games]] or the [[Fortnite World Cup]]. Esports competitions have also become a popular feature at gaming and multi-genre [[Fan convention|conventions]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}

Although competitions involving video games have long existed, esports underwent a significant transition in the late 1990s. Beginning with the [[Cyberathlete Professional League]] in 1997, tournaments became much larger, and [[sponsor (commercial)|corporate sponsorship]] became more common. Increasing viewership both in person and online brought esports to a wider audience.<ref name="2012Forbes">{{cite magazine |title=2012: The Year of eSports |magazine=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2012/12/20/2012-the-year-of-esports/ |date=20 December 2012 |first=Paul | last=Tassi |access-date=15 August 2013}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated4">{{cite web |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0808/p13s01-alsp.html?entryBottomStory |title=Are video games a sport? |publisher=CS Monitor |first=Gloria | last=Goodale |date=8 August 2003 |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> Major tournaments in the past included the [[World Cyber Games]], the North American [[Major League Gaming]] league, the France-based [[Electronic Sports World Cup]], and the [[World e-Sports Games]] held in [[Hangzhou]], China. The current largest esports tournament is the [[Esports World Cup]], held in Saudi Arabia as a two-month event.<ref name="Church">{{cite news |last1=Church |first1=Ben |title=Inaugural Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia, worth more than $60M, hopes to send 'positive message' to industry |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/16/sport/esports-world-cup-saudi-arabia-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=April 16, 2024 |work=[[CNN]] |date=April 16, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=June 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604145817/https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/16/sport/esports-world-cup-saudi-arabia-spt-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Traditional sports teams earn revenue from ticket sales, media rights, advertising, and sponsorships, whereas e‑sports teams depend largely on tournament prize money, sponsorships, and advertising.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kim |first1=Young Hoon |last2=Nauright |first2=John |last3=Suveatwatanakul |first3=Chokechai |date=2020-11-01 |title=The rise of E-Sports and potential for Post-COVID continued growth |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17430437.2020.1819695 |journal=Sport in Society |language=en |volume=23 |issue=11 |pages=1861–1871 |doi=10.1080/17430437.2020.1819695 |issn=1743-0437|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The average compensation for professional esports players does not compare to those of the top classical sports organizations in the world. According to Julian Krinsky Camps & Programs website, the top Esports player in the world earned around $2.5 million in 2017.<ref name=":0">{{cite web | publisher=Julian Krinsky Camps and Programs | date=5 June 2018 | title=How Much Do Pro Gamers & Esports Players Make? | access-date=29 April 2020 | url=https://info.jkcp.com/blog/professional-gamer-salary-esports/ | archive-date=8 April 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408051135/https://info.jkcp.com/blog/professional-gamer-salary-esports/ }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=April 2020}} The highest overall salary by any esports professional at the time was around $3.6 million. While prizes for esports competitions can be very large, the limited number of competitions and large number of competitors ultimately lowers the amount of money one can make in the industry. The most prestigious esports competitions have prizes that can reach or exceed $200,000 for a single victory; Dota 2's [[The International (esports)|The International]] hosted a competition where the grand-prize winning team walked home with almost $10.9 million.<ref name=":0" />

For well established games, total prize money can amount to millions of U.S. dollars a year.<ref name="lolprizepool" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.esfiworld.com/news/nasl-s3-finals-push-sc2-earnings-over-5m |title=NASL S3 Finals push SC2 earnings over $5m |first=David | last=Schmidt |date=16 July 2012 |publisher=ESFI World |access-date=22 August 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212160245/http://archive.esfiworld.com/news/nasl-s3-finals-push-sc2-earnings-over-5m |archive-date=12 December 2013}}</ref> As of 10 September 2016, ''Dota 2'' has awarded approximately US$86 million in prize money within 632 registered tournaments, with 23 players winning over $1 million. ''League of Legends'' awarded approximately $30 million within 1749 registered tournaments, but in addition to the prize money, [[Riot Games]] provides salaries for players within their professional leagues.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gamurs.com/articles/comparing-the-potential-earnings-of-lcs-players-to-professional-streamers |title=Comparing the potential earnings of LCS PLayers to Professional Streamers |website=GAMURS |date=27 October 2014 |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=6 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006061500/https://gamurs.com/articles/comparing-the-potential-earnings-of-lcs-players-to-professional-streamers }}</ref> Nonetheless, there has been criticism to how these salaries are distributed, since most players earn a fairly low wage but a few top players have a significantly higher salary, skewing the average earning per player.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://krbnu.tumblr.com/post/135814946168/kespa-responds-to-kocca-pro-gamer-salary-data-10 |title=KeSPA Responds to KOCCA Pro Gamer Salary Data… 10 Players Over $85,241. |website=LCK Translation Archive |date=24 December 2015 |access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406101703/http://krbnu.tumblr.com/post/135814946168/kespa-responds-to-kocca-pro-gamer-salary-data-10 |archive-date=6 April 2016 }}</ref> In August 2018, [[The International 2018]], Valve's annual premier ''Dota 2'' tournament, was held and broke the record for holding the largest prize pool to date for any esports tournament, amounting to over US$25 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 2017–2018 Dota 2 Hub |url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/18749881/the-dota-2-espn-esports-homepage |website=ESPN |date=26 August 2018 |access-date=31 January 2019}}</ref>

Often, game developers provide prize money for tournament competition directly,<ref name="lolprizepool">{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/122/1224149p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508094235/http://pc.ign.com/articles/122/1224149p1.html |archive-date=8 May 2012 |title=League of Legends Season 2 Championship Announced |first=Andrew | last=Goldfarb |date=1 May 2012 |website=IGN |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref> but sponsorship may also come from third parties, typically companies selling [[computer hardware]], [[energy drink]]s, or [[computer software]]. Generally, hosting a large esports event is not profitable as a stand-alone venture.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/9/30/4719766/twitch-raises-20-million-esports-market-booming |title=Field of streams: how Twitch made video games a spectator sport |publisher=TheVerge |first=Ben | last=Popper |date=30 September 2013 |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> For example, Riot has stated that their headline ''League of Legends'' Championship Series is "a significant investment that we're not making money from".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamesn.com/leagueoflegends/lcs-significant-investment-we-re-not-making-money-riot-love-it-anyway |title=LCS "a significant investment that we're not making money from", but Riot love it anyway |publisher=PCGamesN |author=robzacny |date=21 August 2013 |access-date=14 September 2013}}</ref>

There is considerable variation and negotiation over the relationship between [[video game developers]] and tournament organizers and broadcasters. While the original ''StarCraft'' events emerged in South Korea largely independently of Blizzard, the company decided to require organizers and broadcasters to authorize events featuring the sequel ''StarCraft II''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/battle-starcraft-ii/ |publisher=Edge-Online |title=The battle for StarCraft II |date=11 November 2010 |author=Edge Staff |access-date=14 September 2013}}</ref> In the short term, this led to a deadlock with the [[Korean e-Sports Association]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gosugamers.net/starcraft/news/10265-blizzard-vs-kespa-the-ultimate-fight |title=Blizzard VS. Kespa, the Ultimate fight |author=Simon "Go0g3n" |publisher=Gosu Gamers |year=2009 |access-date=18 September 2013}}</ref> An agreement was reached in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pikigeek.com/2012/05/02/kespa-ogn-blizzard-and-gomtv-join-horses-for-starcraft-ii/ |title=KeSPA, OGN, Blizzard and GOMtv Join Horses for StarCraft II |publisher=PikiGeek |date=2 May 2012 |author=Jeroen Amin |access-date=14 September 2013 |archive-date=7 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107110126/http://pikigeek.com/2012/05/02/kespa-ogn-blizzard-and-gomtv-join-horses-for-starcraft-ii/ }}</ref> Blizzard requires authorization for tournaments with more than US$10,000 in prizes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/gallery/4RL7ZGLM5EF21374101567640.pdf |title=Tournament Guidelines Document |publisher=Blizzard |date=6 June 2013 |access-date=14 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231001601/https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/gallery/4RL7ZGLM5EF21374101567640.pdf |archive-date=31 December 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Riot Games]] offers in-game rewards to authorized tournaments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/community/prized-events |title=Prized Events |publisher=Riot |access-date=4 December 2013 |archive-date=13 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713191712/http://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/community/prized-events }}</ref>

===University and school leagues===
{{See also|College esports in the United States}}

The increasing popularity of esports brought with it a demand for extended opportunities for esports athletes. Esports clubs grew in popularity at American universities in the late 2000s and early 2010s, with ''[[StarCraft]]'' clubs competing by 2009.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Patricia |title=Video Game Becomes Spectator Sport |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/sports/othersports/12star.html |website=New York Times |date=12 April 2009 |access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Princeton Students Create StarCraft League |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/princeton-students-create-starcraft-league/ |website=The Escapist |access-date=30 September 2024 |date=14 April 2009}}</ref> Universities, particularly in China and America, then began offering scholarship opportunities to incoming students to join collegiate esports teams. The first officially recognized varsity esports program was created at [[Robert Morris University]] in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keilman |first1=John |title=Robert Morris' video gamers enter 1st competition |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/10/19/robert-morris-video-gamers-enter-1st-competition/ |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=30 September 2024 |date=19 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Brunswick |first1=Deborah |title=Varsity gamers: Making history and dumbfounding parents |url=https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2015/07/us/varsity-gamers-american-story/ |website=CNN.com |access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gamers to get college scholarships |url=https://www.espn.com/chicago/college-sports/story/_/id/11113637/robert-morris-university-offers-esports-scholarships-league-legends-video-game |website=ESPN.com |access-date=30 September 2024 |language=en |date=20 June 2014}}</ref> {{As of |2019|post=,}} around 125 US colleges had esports-based varsity programs. Most of these are members of the National Association of Collegiate Esports.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/21152905/college-esports-list-varsity-esports-programs-north-america|title=List of varsity esports programs spans North America|work=ESPN.com|access-date=31 January 2020|language=en}}</ref>

The UK's National University Esports League (NUEL) started in 2010. In 2023, it was taken over by Spanish Esports company GGTech Entertainment.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://esportsinsider.com/2023/05/nuel-acquired-by-ggtech-entertainment|title=University esports company NUEL acquired by GGTech|author=Ivan Šimić |date=24 May 2023|work=Esports Insider}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://esports-news.co.uk/2023/08/09/nuel-ggtech-interview-david-josh/|title=UK University Esports: Interview with NUEL and GGTech at Amazon University Esports Masters Finals|date=9 August 2023| author=Dom Sacco|work=Esports News UK}}</ref> {{As of|2024|post=,}} it had been rebranded as [[University Esports]] UK & Ireland and had over 110 participating universities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://universityesports.co.uk/about-us|title=About us|website=University Esports UK & Ireland|access-date=27 September 2024}}</ref> Another university competition in the UK is the British Universities Esports Championship, run by National Student Esports (NSE), which also had over 110 participating universities and colleges {{As of|2024|lc=y}}. The University of Warwick won its sixth consecutive NES Esports University of the Year title in 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.nse.gg/news/esports-university-of-the-year-20232024/|title=Esports University of the Year 2023/2024|date=10 April 2024|website=National Student Esports}}</ref> The two organisations are not exclusive, with universities able to field teams in both NUEL and NSE competitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/enrichment-activities/esports/|title=eSports at Durham|access-date=27 September 2024|website=Durham University}}</ref> For younger students, the British Esports Student Champs had over 1,250 teams from over 200 schools and colleges {{As of|2024|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://britishesports.org/student-champs/#openreg|title=The Student Champs|website=British Esports Federation|access-date=25 September 2024}}</ref> Collegiate universities such as Durham and multi-campus universities such as Staffordshire also hold inter-collegiate or inter-campus tournaments.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://esports-news.co.uk/2024/09/28/durham-university-opens-esports-hub/|title=Durham University opens new esports hub|date=28 September 2024|author= Dom Sacco|work=Esports News UK}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://esports-news.co.uk/2024/05/18/staffs-uni-campus-clash-facilities/|title=Staffs Uni hosts Campus Clash as new £2.7m esports facilities open|date=18 May 2024|author= Dom Sacco|work=Esports News UK}}</ref>

According to Schaeperkoetter and collaborators in 2017, the potential impact of esports programs on universities, coupled with the growing interest that universities were showing in such programs, combined to make esports a relevant line of research in sport literature.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1123/jis.2016-0011|title=The "New" Student-Athlete: An Exploratory Examination of Scholarship e ''Sports'' Players|year=2017|last1=Schaeperkoetter|first1=Claire C.|last2=Mays|first2=Jonathan|last3=Hyland|first3=Sean Thomas|last4=Wilkerson|first4=Zach|last5=Oja|first5=Brent|last6=Krueger|first6=Kyle|last7=Christian|first7=Ronald|last8=Bass|first8=Jordan R.|journal=Journal of Intercollegiate Sport|volume=10|pages=1–21|doi-access=free}}</ref>

===Governing bodies===

While game publishers or esports broadcasters typically act in oversight roles for specific esports, a number of esports [[sport governing body|governing bodies]] have been established to collectively represent esports on a national, regional or global basis. These governing bodies may have various levels of involvement with the esport, from being part of esports regulation to simply acting more as a [[trade group]] and public face for esports.

The [[International Esports Federation]] (IESF) was one of the first such bodies. Originally formed in 2008 to help promote esports in the Southeast Asian region, it has grown to include over 140 member countries from across the globe. The IESF has managed annual World Esports Championships for teams from its member countries across multiple games.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1076046/seoul-to-host-2019-esports-world-championships | title = Seoul to host 2019 Esports World Championships | first = Mike | last = Rowbottom | date = 28 February 2019 | access-date = 20 December 2019 | work = [[Inside the Games]] }}</ref>

The European Esports Federation was formed in April 2019 and includes UK, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, France, Russia, Slovenia, Serbia, Sweden, Turkey, and Ukraine. This body was designed more to be a managing partner for other esports, working to coordinate event structures and regulations across multiple esports.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://esportsobserver.com/european-esports-federation-formed/ | title = European Esports Federation to Form With 12 National Members | first = Graham | last = Ashton | date= 18 April 2019 | access-date = 20 December 2019 | work = [[The Esports Observer]] }}</ref>

Additionally, trade groups representing video games have also generally acted as governing bodies for esports. Notably, in November 2019, five major national trade organizations – the [[Entertainment Software Association]] in the United States, the [[Entertainment Software Association of Canada]], [[The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment]], Interactive Software Federation of Europe, and the [[Interactive Games and Entertainment Association]] of Australian and New Zealand – issued a joined statement for supporting the promotion and participation of esports to respect player safety and integrity, respect and diversity among players, and enriching game play.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-11-05-games-industry-international-trade-bodies-unite-on-universal-esports-principles | title = Games industry international trade bodies unite on universal esports principles | first= Rebekah | last = Valentine | date = 5 November 2019 | access-date= 20 December 2019 | work = [[GamesIndustry.biz]] }}</ref>

==Criticisms and legal problems==

=== Health concerns ===
{{See also|Video game addiction|Video game–related health problems}}

Most esports generally require participants to sit and/or move little while playing, which raises concerns about a [[sedentary lifestyle]] by players. A research led by Ingo Froböse, a professor at the [[German Sport University Cologne|German Sports University in Cologne]], for over eight years found professional and also amateur esports gamers play on average 24–25 hours per week and even physical activities after hours of playing are not able to compensate the damage of oversitting. Players in China may train for almost 14 hours a day. A study conducted in 2022 of ''CS:GO'' players found that total hours played were about 31.2 hours each week.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Pluss |first1=Matthew A. |last2=Novak |first2=Andrew R. |last3=Bennett |first3=Kyle J. M. |last4=McBride |first4=Ignatius |last5=Panchuk |first5=Derek |last6=Coutts |first6=Aaron J. |last7=Fransen |first7=Job |date=1 December 2022 |title=Examining the game-specific practice behaviors of professional and semi-professional esports players: A 52-week longitudinal study |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563222002436 |journal=Computers in Human Behavior |language=en |volume=137 |article-number=107421 |doi=10.1016/j.chb.2022.107421 |s2cid=251260420 |issn=0747-5632|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Sitting for long periods at a computer could lead to eye [[fatigue]] and lower back pain from poor posture. Gamers with poor posture sit in [[forward head posture]] which can cause symptoms such as decreased arm or shoulder mobility and tension headaches.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Migliore |first1=Lindsey |title=Neck and Back Disorders in Esports |date=2021 |work=Handbook of Esports Medicine: Clinical Aspects of Competitive Video Gaming |pages=71–118 |editor-last=Migliore |editor-first=Lindsey |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-73610-1_3 |isbn=978-3-030-73610-1 |last2=McGee |first2=Caitlin |s2cid=236650862 |editor2-last=McGee |editor2-first=Caitlin |editor3-last=Moore |editor3-first=Melita N.}}</ref> These [[sedentary behavior]]s of sitting for too long concerns public health researchers because spending more than 6–8 hours per day has been linked to increased risk of [[cardiovascular disease]] and all-cause mortality.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Patterson |first1=Richard |last2=McNamara |first2=Eoin |last3=Tainio |first3=Marko |last4=de Sá |first4=Thiago Hérick |last5=Smith |first5=Andrea D. |last6=Sharp |first6=Stephen J. |last7=Edwards |first7=Phil |last8=Woodcock |first8=James |last9=Brage |first9=Søren |last10=Wijndaele |first10=Katrien |date=September 2018 |title=Sedentary behaviour and risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality, and incident type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and dose response meta-analysis |journal=European Journal of Epidemiology |language=en |volume=33 |issue=9 |pages=811–829 |doi=10.1007/s10654-018-0380-1 |pmid=29589226 |pmc=6133005 |issn=0393-2990}}</ref> As a result, teams like [[T1 (esports)|T1]] have partnered with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] to encourage exercise and provide training that helps improve gaming skills.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hao |first=Dexter Tan Guan |date=16 January 2020 |title=T1 signs global partnership with Nike |url=https://dotesports.com/news/t1-signs-global-partnership-with-nike |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}</ref> Recent research has also shown that structured esports activities can foster teamwork, problem-solving skills, and promote digital literacy among participants, though concerns about sedentary behavior and mental health risks persist.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Choi |first1=Wonjun |last2=Jang |first2=Wooyoung (William) |last3=Song |first3=Hyunseok |last4=Kim |first4=Min Jung |last5=Lee |first5=Wonju |last6=Byon |first6=Kevin K. |date=9 July 2024 |title=Esports for development? Exploring esports player profiles and their development and well-being outcomes |url=https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSMS-08-2023-0160/full/html |journal=International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship |language=en |volume=25 |issue=3 |pages=684–704 |doi=10.1108/IJSMS-08-2023-0160 |issn=1464-6668|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

In addition to sedentary behaviors, players' mental health is a concern for scientists. One study found that competitors in esports are often under psychological and physical stress, and the amateur ones are the most affected, since they frequently aim at greater wins without enough preparation, though no clear training guidelines are set to become professional players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Are esports good for your health? – DW – 02/08/2019 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/are-esports-good-for-your-health/a-47408527 |access-date=19 January 2023 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=eSportwissen.de |last2=Tholl |first2=Chuck |date=21 June 2018 |title=[:de]Leistung im eSport[:en]Performance in eSport[:] |url=https://www.esportwissen.de/en/performance-in-esport/ |access-date=19 January 2023 |website=esportwissen.de |language=en-US}}</ref> Researchers have found that high levels of stress lead to mental illness and poor decision making.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wattanapisit |first1=Apichai |last2=Wattanapisit |first2=Sanhapan |last3=Wongsiri |first3=Sunton |date=May 2020 |title=Public Health Perspectives on eSports |journal=Public Health Reports |language=en |volume=135 |issue=3 |pages=295–298 |doi=10.1177/0033354920912718 |issn=0033-3549 |pmc=7238713 |pmid=32237971}}</ref> The Esports sector has a high rate of burnout due to mental health and stress. A study found a correlation between depression and training time leading to sleep disturbances.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Sangha |last2=Bonnar |first2=Daniel |last3=Roane |first3=Brandy |last4=Gradisar |first4=Michael |last5=Dunican |first5=Ian C. |last6=Lastella |first6=Michele |last7=Maisey |first7=Gemma |last8=Suh |first8=Sooyeon |date=January 2021 |title=Sleep Characteristics and Mood of Professional Esports Athletes: A Multi-National Study |journal=International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |language=en |volume=18 |issue=2 |page=664 |doi=10.3390/ijerph18020664 |pmid=33466788 |pmc=7830734 |issn=1660-4601 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Teams are starting to incorporate mental health support for players. [[Misfits Gaming|Misfits]] has hired a psychologist to ensure players are equipped with methods to deal with stress and anxiety.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stubbs |first=Mike |title=Why Esports Team Misfits Is Prioritizing Mental Health For Players And Staff |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikestubbs/2021/06/09/why-esports-team-misfits-is-prioritizing-mental-health-for-players-and-staff/ |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

===Ethical issues===
Esports athletes are usually obligated to behave ethically, abiding by both the explicit rules set out by tournaments, associations, and teams, as well as following general expectations of good [[sportsmanship]]. For example, it is common practice and considered good etiquette to send a "gg" (good game) message to opponents when defeated.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techhive.com/article/248526/web_jargon_origins_revealed.html |title=Web Jargon Origins Revealed |author=David Daw |publisher=TechHive |date=21 January 2012 |access-date=22 September 2013 |archive-date=15 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015235725/http://www.techhive.com/article/248526/web_jargon_origins_revealed.html }}</ref> Many games rely on competitors having limited information about the game state. In a prominent example of good conduct, during a 2012 [[Intel Extreme Masters|IEM]] ''StarCraft II'' game, players Feast and DeMusliM voluntarily offered information about their strategies to negate the influence of outside information inadvertently leaked to Feast during the game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cadred.org/News/Article/167534/ |title=IEM Sao Paolo: Manner Bear Conflict |publisher=Cadred |author=Victor Meulendijks |date=8 February 2012 |access-date=8 October 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131008224558/http://www.cadred.org/News/Article/167534/ |archive-date=8 October 2013 }}</ref> Players in some leagues have been reprimanded for failing to meet expectations of good behavior. In 2012, professional ''League of Legends'' player Christian "IWillDominate" Riviera was banned from competing for one year following a history of verbal abuse.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forums.na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=2864421 |title=IWillDominate Tribunal Permaban & eSports Competition Ruling |date=4 December 2012 |access-date=9 November 2014 |archive-date=26 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026045406/http://forums.na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=2864421 }}</ref> In 2013, ''StarCraft II'' progamer [[Greg "Idra" Fields]] was fired from [[Evil Geniuses]] for insulting his fans on the [[Team Liquid]] internet forums.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=411840 |title=Evil Geniuses Releases Greg "IdrA" Fields |author=Alexander Garfield |publisher=TeamLiquid |date=10 May 2013 |access-date=8 January 2014}}</ref> ''League of Legends'' players Mithy and Nukeduck received similar penalties in 2014 after behaving in a "toxic" manner during matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/league-of-legends-pro-players-banned-for-toxic-behavior/1100-6420072/ |title=League of Legends Pro Players Banned for "Toxic Behavior" |date=3 June 2014 |access-date=22 February 2015}}</ref>

The formation of Team Siren, an all-female ''[[League of Legends]]'' team, in June 2013 was met with controversy and dismissed as a "gimmick" to attract men's attention.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gz9um3wV1o |title=Introducing Team Siren – YouTube |website=[[YouTube]] |date=30 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rtsguru.com/game/435/article/5991/Why-Team-Siren-Matters.html |title=Why Team Siren Matters |date=10 June 2013 |access-date=27 December 2014 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924092521/http://www.rtsguru.com/game/435/article/5991/Why-Team-Siren-Matters.html }}</ref> The team disbanded within a month due to negative publicity from their promotional video and the team captain's poor attitude towards her teammates.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forums.na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?p=38929204#post38929204 |title=Siren broke up (with proof) – Page 16 – League of Legends Community |date=19 June 2013 |access-date=27 December 2014 |archive-date=11 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311162545/http://forums.na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?p=38929204#post38929204 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gameskinny.com/hzi5j/league-of-legends-team-siren-disbands-valuable-lessons-learned |title=League of Legends Team Siren Disbands: Valuable Lessons Learned – League of Legends |date=26 June 2013 |access-date=27 December 2014}}</ref> In 2018, [[Vaevictis Esports|Team Vaevictis]] attempted to field an all-female roster in the [[League of Legends Continental League|LCL]], the top esports league in Russia,<ref>{{cite tweet |user=VaevictisTeam |author=Vaevictis eSports |number=1094686736570032132 |date=10 February 2019 |title=We're proud to present you Vaevictis eSports roster for LCL Spring 2019! |access-date=3 June 2019 }}</ref> but faced similar criticism.<ref>{{cite news |title=All-female Russian LoL team Vaevictis Esports lose 52–2 in the LCL: Is this really about giving women a platform or is it just an unfair publicity stunt? |url=https://esports-news.co.uk/2019/02/17/vaevictis-esports-all-female-team/ |access-date=3 June 2019 |work=Esports News UK |date=17 February 2019}}</ref> Vaevictis went 0–14 in both splits, and in February 2020, the LCL announced their disbandment due to a failure to field a competitive roster.<ref>{{Cite web|title=League of Legends: Vaevictis eSports removed from LCL due to poor results|url=https://www.millenium.gg/news/12786.html|access-date=25 November 2020|website=Millenium US|date=18 February 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Vaevictis female roster removed from LCL|url=https://www.earlygame.com/vaevictis-female-roster-experiment-ends-in-expulsion-from-lcl/|access-date=25 November 2020|website=EarlyGame|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=17 February 2020|title=League of Legends: All-female team Vaevictis kicked out of LCL due to poor performance; CrowCrowd, owned by former player Likkrit joins the league|url=https://www.invenglobal.com/articles/10417/all-female-team-vaevictis-kicked-out-of-lcl-due-to-poor-performance-crowcrowd-owned-by-former-player-likkrit-joins-the-league|access-date=25 November 2020|website=InvenGlobal|language=en}}</ref> The LCL stated, "The results of the 2019 season showed a huge difference in Vaevictis Esports' results compared to other LCL teams, which is an unacceptable level of competitiveness in a franchised league."

There have been serious rule violations in certain esports. In 2010, eleven ''StarCraft: Brood War'' players were found guilty of [[StarCraft professional competition#Match fixing scandal|fixing matches for profit]] and were fined and banned from future competition. [[Team Curse]] and [[Team Dignitas]] were denied prize money for collusion during the [[2012 MLG Summer Championship]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamesn.com/leagueoflegends/league-legends-curse-na-and-team-dignitas-disqualified-mlg-summer-championship-no-first-or-second-place-awarded |title=League of Legends' Curse NA and Team Dignitas disqualified from MLG Summer Championship, no first or second place awarded |author=Jeremy Peel |publisher=PC GamesN |date=27 August 2012 |access-date=22 September 2013}}</ref> In 2012, ''League of Legends'' team Azubu Frost was fined US$30,000 for cheating during a semifinal match of the world playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/riot-fines-league-of-legends-cheaters-30000-6398055 |title=Riot fines League of Legends cheaters $30,000 |author=Laura Parker |website=GameSpot |date=10 October 2012 |access-date=22 September 2013}}</ref> ''Dota 2'' player Aleksey "Solo" Berezin was suspended from several tournaments for intentionally throwing a game to collect $322 from online gambling.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joindota.com/en/news/10165-solo-out-of-rox-kis |title=Solo out of Rox.KIS |author=Sun_tzu |publisher=joinDota |date=21 June 2013 |access-date=3 July 2014}}</ref> In 2014, four high-profile North American ''Counter-Strike'' players from iBuyPower were suspended from official tournaments after being found guilty of match-fixing, allegedly profiting over US$10,000 through betting on their fixed matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/valve-bans-pro-counter-strike-teams-for-match-fixi/1100-6424901/ |title=Valve Bans Pro Counter-Strike Teams For Match Fixing |work=GameSpot |access-date=2 September 2015}}</ref> [[Skin gambling|Gambling on esports using ''Counter-Strike: Global Offense'' "skins"]], worth an estimated US$2.3 billion in 2015, came under criticism in June and July 2016 after several questionable legal and ethical aspects were discovered.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-36824689 |title=Valve tackles Counter Strike gambling sites |work=[[BBC]] |date=21 July 2016 |access-date=21 July 2016}}</ref>

===Performance-enhancing drugs===
{{main|Cheating in esports#Doping}}

Reports of widespread use of [[performance-enhancing drugs]] (PEDs) in esports are not uncommon, with players discussing their own, their teammates' and their competitors' use as well as officials acknowledging the prevalence of the issue.<ref name="parkin">{{cite web |last1=Parkin |first1=Simon |title=Winners might use drugs |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-04-08-winners-might-use-drugs |access-date=19 July 2015 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |date=8 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="newscientist">{{cite magazine |last1=Hodson |first1=Hal |title=Esports: Doping is rampant, industry insider claims |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26051-esports-doping-is-rampant-industry-insider-claims#.U-x3KvldU0J |access-date=19 July 2015 |magazine=[[New Scientist]] |date=18 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="summers">{{cite web |last1=Summers |first1=Nick |title=Top 'Counter-Strike' player admits eSports has a doping problem |url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/07/17/esports-adderall-doping/ |access-date=19 July 2015 |publisher=[[Engadget]] |date=17 July 2015}}</ref> Players often turn to [[stimulants]] such as [[Ritalin]], [[Adderall]] and [[Vyvanse]], drugs which can significantly boost concentration, improve reaction time, and prevent fatigue.<ref name="parkin" /> [[Selegiline]], a drug used to treat [[Parkinson's disease]], is reportedly popular, because like stimulants, it enhances mood and motivation. Conversely, drugs with calming effects are also sought after. Some players take [[propranolol]], which blocks the effects of [[adrenaline]], or [[Valium]], which is prescribed to treat [[anxiety disorder]], in order to remain calm under pressure.<ref name="newscientist" /> According to Bjoern Franzen, a former [[SK Gaming]] executive, it is second nature for some ''League of Legends'' players to take as many as three different drugs before competition.<ref name="elephant">{{cite web |last1=Franzen |first1=Bjoern |title=Doping in eSports – The almost invisible Elephant in the room |url=https://bjoernfranzen.com/doping-in-esports-the-almost-invisible-elephant-in-the-room/ |access-date=19 July 2015 |work=BjoernFranzen.com |date=14 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422153147/https://bjoernfranzen.com/doping-in-esports-the-almost-invisible-elephant-in-the-room/ |archive-date=22 April 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2015 Kory "Semphis" Friesen, an ex-[[Cloud9 (esports)|Cloud9]] player, admitted that he and his teammates were all using Adderall during a match against [[Virtus.pro]] in the [[ESL One Katowice 2015]] ''Counter-Strike: Global Offensive'' tournament, and went on to claim that "everyone" at [[ESEA League]] tournaments uses Adderall.<ref name="summers" /> In 2020, former Call of Duty champion Adam "KiLLa" Sloss told [[The Washington Post]] that one of the major reasons he stopped competing in esports was the "rampant" use of Adderall in the competitive scene.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hamstead |first1=Coleman |title='Nobody talks about it because everyone is on it': Adderall presents esports with an enigma |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/esports/2020/02/13/esports-adderall-drugs/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=23 September 2021 |date=13 February 2021}}</ref>

The unregulated use of such drugs poses severe risks to competitors' health, including [[addiction]], [[overdose]], [[serotonin syndrome]] and, in the case of stimulants, [[weight loss]].<ref name=parkin /><ref name="newscientist" /> Accordingly, Adderall and other such stimulants are banned and their use penalized by many professional sporting bodies and leagues, including [[Major League Baseball]] and the [[National Football League]]. Although [[International e-Sports Federation]] (IeSF) is a signatory of the [[World Anti-Doping Agency]], the governing body has not outlawed any PEDs in its sanctioned competitions.<ref name="parkin" /> Action has been taken on the individual league level, however, as at least one major league, the [[Electronic Sports League]], has made use of any drugs during matches punishable by expulsion from competition.<ref>{{cite web |title=ESL Major Series One Rulebook |url=http://gfx.esl-europe.net/gfx/media/eu/emsone/summer2013/ESL_Major_Series_One_Rulebook.pdf |publisher=[[Electronic Sports League]] |access-date=19 July 2015 |archive-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722105358/http://gfx.esl-europe.net/gfx/media/eu/emsone/summer2013/ESL_Major_Series_One_Rulebook.pdf }}</ref> Although not all players use drugs, the use of over-the-counter [[energy drinks]] is common. These energy drinks are often marketed specifically toward gamers, and have also faced media and regulatory scrutiny due to their health risks.<ref name="fuel">{{cite web |last1=Stout |first1=Hilary |title=Selling the Young on 'Gaming Fuel' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/20/business/energy-drink-industry-under-scrutiny-looks-to-gamers-to-keep-sales-surging.html |access-date=19 July 2015 |work=The New York Times |date=19 May 2015}}</ref>

===Player exploitation===
There has been some concern over the quality of life and potential mistreatment of players by organizations, especially in South Korea. Korean organizations have been accused of refusing to pay competitive salaries, leading to a slow exodus of Korean players to other markets. In an interview, ''League of Legends'' player Bae "Dade" Eo-jin said that "Korean players wake up at 1 pm and play until 5 am", and suggested that the 16-hour play schedule was a significant factor in causing [[Burnout (psychology)|burnout]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://na.lolesports.com/articles/koreas-pro-exodus-may-spell-bad-news-games-top-region |title=KOREA'S PRO EXODUS MAY SPELL BAD NEWS FOR THE GAME'S TOP REGION |publisher=Riot Games |author=Frank 'Riot Mirhi' Fields |date=5 November 2014 |access-date=9 November 2014}}</ref> Concerns over the [[mental health]] of players intensified in 2014 when ''League of Legends'' player Cheon "Promise" Min-Ki attempted suicide a week after admitting to [[match fixing]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/18/5522192/korean-league-of-legends-player-fixed-matches-suicide |title=Top Korean League of Legends player fixed matches before attempting suicide, says eSports league |website=Polygon |author=Owen S. Good |date=18 March 2014 |access-date=9 November 2014}}</ref>

To combat the negative environment, Korean ''League of Legends'' teams were given new rules for the upcoming 2015 season by Riot Games, including the adoption of minimum salaries for professional players, requiring contracts and allowing players to stream individually for additional player revenue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ongamers.com/articles/major-changes-heading-to-korea-for-the-2015-season/1100-2303/ |title=Major changes heading to Korea for the 2015 season |publisher=OnGamers |author=Travis Gafford |date=27 October 2014 |access-date=9 November 2014 |archive-date=10 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210201355/http://www.ongamers.com/articles/major-changes-heading-to-korea-for-the-2015-season/1100-2303/ }}</ref>

Since esports games often requires many actions per minute, some players may get [[repetitive strain]] injuries, causing hand or wrist pain.<ref>Luke Winkie (31 May 2016) [http://www.vocativ.com/323427/the-esports-injury-crisis/ The eSports Injury Crisis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110040656/http://www.vocativ.com/323427/the-esports-injury-crisis/ |date=10 January 2018 }} Vocativ, Retrieved 3 June 2016.</ref> During the early development of the esports industry, sports medicine and gaming-related injuries were ignored by players and organizations, leading to some early player retirements.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leporati |first1=Gregory |title=Aching wrists, early retirement and the surprising physical toll of esports |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/esports/2022/03/14/professional-esports-athlete-injuries/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=21 March 2022}}</ref>

===Economics===
The [[League of Legends Championship Series|''League of Legends'' Championship Series]] and [[League of Legends Champions Korea|''League of Legends'' Champions Korea]] offer guaranteed [[salaries]] for players.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsoflegends.com/index.php/official-2015-season-lol-esports-league-reform-plan-announced-final-version-29648/ |title=Official 2015 Season LoL eSports League Reform Plan Announced (Final Version) |website=News of Legends |date=11 November 2014 |author=Caymus |access-date=28 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518084152/http://www.newsoflegends.com/index.php/official-2015-season-lol-esports-league-reform-plan-announced-final-version-29648/ |archive-date=18 May 2015 }}</ref> Despite this, online streaming is preferred by some players, as in some cases, streaming can be more profitable than competing with a team, and streamers have the ability to determine their own schedule. The International tournament awards US$10 million to the winners, however teams that do not have the same amount of success often do not have financial stability and frequently break up after failing to win.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailydot.com/esports/dota-2-prize-distribution-players/ |title=Dota 2 is the richest of the big esports, but its players are the poorest |date=13 August 2014 |website=[[The Daily Dot]] |access-date=2 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518071207/http://www.dailydot.com/esports/dota-2-prize-distribution-players/ |archive-date=18 May 2015 }}</ref>

In 2015 it was estimated by SuperData Research, that the global esports industry generated revenue of around US$748.8 million that year. Asia is the leading esports market with over $321 million in revenue, with North America at around $224 million, and Europe at $172 million. For comparison, the rest of the world combines for approximately $29 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fortune.com/2015/10/28/global-esports-revenues-nearing-2-billion/ |title=Global esports revenues are nearing 2 billion |first=John |last=Gaudiosi |website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |date=28 October 2015 |access-date=9 November 2015}}</ref> Global esports revenue is estimated to reach $1.9 billion by 2018. During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the video gaming industry bypassed many economic sectors by providing a means of compensating for the physical isolation imposed by the lockdown, transforming it into an increasingly important economic sector within the global economy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Resolving Video Games and eSports Disputes: How Can WIPO Alternative Dispute Resolution Options Help? |url=https://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine_digital/en/2023/article_0018.html |website=WIPO Magazine}}</ref>

The number of female viewers has been growing in esports, with an estimated 30% of esports viewers being female in 2013, a significant increase from 15% the previous year.{{Citation needed|date=January 2017}} However, despite the increase in female viewers, there is not a growth of female players in high level competitive esports.{{Citation needed|date=January 2017}} The top female players that are involved in esports mainly get exposure in female-only tournaments, most notably ''Counter-Strike'', ''[[Dead or Alive 4]]'', and ''StarCraft II''. Current all-female esports teams include [[Frag Dolls]] and [[PMS Clan]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2017}}

===Gambling===
{{expand section|date=June 2018}}
{{main|Esports betting}}

Gambling on esports matches have historically been illegal or unregulated by major markets. This created a [[black market]] via virtual currency. In places where esports gambling is not officially recognized, the lack of regulation has resulted in match-fixing by players or third parties, and created issues with underage gambling due to the draw of video games. Some games allow bets in their [[in-game currency]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/dota-2-now-lets-you-bet-in-game-currency-on-pro-tournam-1833502199|title=Dota 2 Now Lets You Bet In-Game Currency On Pro Tournaments|website=Kotaku|date=22 March 2019 |language=en-us|access-date=31 January 2020}}</ref> while third-party gambling platforms will often take bets placed using virtual items earned in games.<ref name="wapost betting"/> In esports gambling, most bets and odds are structured in the same way as traditional sports. Most gambling sites offering the booker service allow users to bet based on the outcome of tournaments, matches or special esports titles. On the other hand, due to the nature of esports, there are numerous innovative ways to make bets, which are based on in-game milestones.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/06/03/betting-is-esports-biggest-and-most-underappreciated-opportunity/|title=Betting is esports' biggest and most underappreciated opportunity|date=3 June 2019|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US|access-date=31 January 2020}}</ref> For example, [[League of Legends|League of Legend]] bettors may place their money on which team/champion will take the "First Blood".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lolbettingsites.com/lol-esports-bets/|title=LoL esports bets explained ➠ Best esports advice|website=LoLBettingSites.com|language=en-US|access-date=31 January 2020}}</ref>

Esports gambling in the United States has been illegal under the federal [[Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992]] (PASPA). The Act prevented all but five states from allowing gambling on sporting events.<ref name="wapost betting"/> However, regulation of esports betting still depended on state law. Some betting houses in Nevada, where sports betting has been already exempted under PASPA, classify esports as non-competitive "other events" similar to the selection of the [[Heisman Trophy]] winner or [[NFL draft]] which are considered as legal.<ref name="wapost betting">{{cite news | title = Esports bookmaking? Globally, it's already a billion-dollar gambling industry |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/ct-esports-bookmaking-20180406-story.html|first = Noah | last = Smith | date = 6 April 2018 | access-date = 8 June 2018 | newspaper = [[The Washington Post]] }}</ref> Other companies established in the United States allow betting on esports to international users but are restricted to Americans. Nevada legalized esports gambling in June 2017, classifying esports along with competitive sports and dog racing.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/id/19512317/chalk-nevada-governor-approves-esports-betting-bill | title = Nevada governor approves esports betting bill | first = Jacob | last = Wolf | date = 2 June 2017 | access-date = 8 June 2018 | work = [[ESPN]] }}</ref> With the [[Supreme Court of the United States]]'s ruling in ''[[Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association]]'' in May 2018, PASPA was recognized as unconstitutional, as the Court claimed that the federal government cannot limit states from regulating [[sports betting]]. This created the potential for legalized esports-based betting in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamesn.com/esports-betting | title = Esports betting may soon become legal in several American states | first = Ali | last= Jones | date = 17 May 2018 | access-date=8 June 2018 | work = [[PCGamesN]] }}</ref> However, New Jersey, the state at the center of the Supreme Court case, passed its bill to legalize sports gambling but restricted gambling on esports to only international competitions where most players are over 18 years of age.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://compete.kotaku.com/new-jersey-added-a-last-minute-esports-betting-ban-and-1826678155 | title = New Jersey Added A Last-Minute Esports Betting Ban And No One Knows Why | first = Maddy | last= Myers | date = 8 June 2018 | access-date = 8 June 2018 | work = [[Kotaku]] }}</ref> Without PASPA, interstate gambling on esports would be still be limited by the [[Federal Wire Act]], preventing users from betting on national esports events outside of the state.<ref name="wapost betting"/>

In 2019, the countries where esports gambling is legal include the UK, New Zealand, Australia, China, Spain, Canada, South Korea, and Japan, and many of them are the international hosts for gaming tournaments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamopo.com/countries/|title=Esports Betting Laws & Country Restrictions 2019 {{!}} Gamopo Esports Hub|website=Gamopo.com|language=en-US|access-date=5 September 2019}}</ref> By the end of 2019, the state of [[New Jersey]] approved esports betting, just in time for the finals of the LoL Worlds Cup 2019 final match, which had over 4.000.000 spectators.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.esports.net/news/industry/new-jersey-allows-esports-betting-in-time-for-league-of-legends-final/|title=New Jersey Allows Esports Betting in Time for League of Legends Final|date=12 November 2019|website=Esports.net|language=en-US|access-date=31 January 2020}}</ref>

The esports [[gambling industry]] has attracted criticism because of its target audience. As a large part of the esports audience is underage, governments and regulators have expressed skepticism regarding the market and the possibility of underage gambling. Additionally, gambling platforms have received criticism for their integration with the larger esports industry.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bräutigam |first1=Thiemo |title=Is it a problem that esports betting sites are sponsoring teams? – ARCHIVE – The Esports Observer |url=https://archive.esportsobserver.com/is-it-a-problem-that-esports-betting-sites-are-sponsoring-teams/ |website=Esports Observer |access-date=21 March 2022 |date=24 September 2015}}</ref> Esports platforms regularly sponsor professional esports teams, as happened with the contract between [[Betway]] and [[PSG.LGD]] team ([[Dota 2]]) in August 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/instant-sponsor/betway-partners-with-psg-lgd-and-gains-control-over-team-branding-a447c8abb301|title=Betway Partners With PSG.LGD And Gains Control Over Team Branding|last=Kuchefski|first=Kathryn|date=14 August 2019|website=Medium|language=en|access-date=31 January 2020}}</ref>

===Data analytics and machine learning===
With the growing popularity of [[machine learning]] in data analytics,{{Citation needed|date=November 2018}} esports has been the focus of several software programs that analyze the plethora of game data available. Based on the huge number of matches played on a daily basis globally ([[League of Legends]] alone had a reported 100 million active monthly players worldwide in 2016<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.riftherald.com/2016/9/13/12865314/monthly-lol-players-2016-active-worldwide | title = Number of players of selected eSports games worldwide as of August 2017 (in million) | date = 13 September 2016 | access-date=12 August 2018 | work = [[Rift Herald]] }}</ref> and an average of 27 million League of Legends games played per day reported in 2014<ref>Sheer, Ian (27 January 2014). "Player Tally for 'League of Legends' Surges". Wsj.com. Archived from the original on 30 January 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.</ref>), these games can be used for applying big-data machine learning platforms. Several games make their data publicly available, so websites aggregate the data into easy-to-visualize graphs and statistics. In addition, several programs use machine learning tools to predict the win probability of a match based on various factors, such as team composition.<ref>{{cite arXiv | title = Win Prediction in Esports: Mixed-Rank Match Prediction in Multi-player Online Battle Arena Games | date = 17 November 2017 |eprint = 1711.06498|last1 = Hodge|first1 = Victoria|last2 = Devlin|first2 = Sam|last3 = Sephton|first3 = Nick|last4 = Block|first4 = Florian|last5 = Drachen|first5 = Anders|last6 = Cowling|first6 = Peter|class = cs.AI}}</ref> In 2018, the [[DotA]] team [[Team Liquid]] partnered with a software company to allow players and coaches to predict the team's success rate in each match and provide advice on what needs to be changed to improve performance.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/10/18/dota-analytics-big-data-meets-e-sports-in-software-giant-deal-with-team-liquid | title = 'DOTA analytics': Big data meets e-sports in software giant deal with Team Liquid | date = 10 May 2018 | access-date=12 August 2018 | work = [[ABS-CBN News]] }}</ref>

===Game cancellations===
As more esports competitions and leagues are run entirely or in portion by the video game publisher or developer for the game, the ongoing viability of that game's esports activities is tied to that company. In December 2018, Blizzard announced that it was reducing resources spent on the development of ''Heroes of the Storm'' and canceling its plans for tournaments in 2019. This caused several professional ''Heroes'' players and coaches to recognize that their career was no longer viable, and expressed outrage and disappointment at Blizzard's decision.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/14/blizzard-ends-heroes-of-the-storm-esports/| title= Blizzard cancels 'Heroes of the Storm' eSports plans | first =Saqid | last = Shah | date = 14 December 2018 | access-date = 16 December 2018 | work = [[Engadget]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/14/18141331/heroes-of-the-storm-canceled-hgc-blizzard-community | title = Heroes of the Storm pros vent sadness, anger after Blizzard kills game's esports future | first = Michael | last= McWhertor | date = 14 December 2018 | access-date = 16 December 2018 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref>

==Media coverage==
{{multiple image|image1=The International 2018 (30302304258).jpg|image2=The International 2018 (30302303908).jpg|footer=As with traditional sporting events, larger esport events, such as [[The International (Dota 2)|The International]], usually feature live pre- and post-game discussion by a panel of analysts (''top''), with in-match casting being done by [[play-by-play]] and [[color commentators]] (''bottom'').|width=250|direction=vertical|align=right}}

===News reporting===
The main medium for esports coverage is the [[Internet]]. In the mid-2010s, mainstream sports and news reporting websites, such as ''[[ESPN]]'', ''[[Yahoo!]]'', ''[[Sport1 (Germany)|Sport1]]'', ''[[Kicker (magazine)|Kicker]]'', and ''[[Aftonbladet]]'' started dedicated esports coverage.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dave |first1=Paresh |title=ESPN.com to cover e-sports with same 'rigor' as it does the big leagues |url=http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-espn-esports-20160113-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=13 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Yahoo Launches New Experience Dedicated to Esports |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/yahoo-launches-experience-dedicated-esports-050000022.html |website=Yahoo |access-date=13 July 2016}}</ref> Esports tournaments commonly use commentators or casters to provide live commentary of games in progress, similar to a traditional [[sports commentator]]. For popular casters, providing commentary for esports can be a full-time position by itself.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/features/2013/7/16/4503412/starcraft-commentators-tastosis |title=How two StarCraft commentators became stars |website=Polygon |author=Tracey Lien |date=16 July 2013 |access-date=11 September 2013}}</ref> Prominent casters for ''StarCraft II'' include [[Dan "Artosis" Stemkoski]] and [[Nick "Tasteless" Plott]]. However, the impact of [[COVID-19 pandemic]] affected how esports were covered in addition to the sports themselves. Notably, ''ESPN''{{'s}} dedicated esports coverage was shuttered in November 2020 as the network refocus on more traditional sports, though said they would still have some coverage of esports events.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/esports/2021/02/16/espn-esports/ | title = The rise, fall and resonance of ESPN Esports | first = Noah | last = Smith | date = 16 February 2021 | access-date = 18 October 2021 | newspaper = [[The Washington Post]] }}</ref>

In 2018, the [[Associated Press]]' [[AP Stylebook]] officially began spelling the word as "esports", dropping support for both the capital "S" and the dash between "e" and "sports" styles, similar to how "[[e-mail]]" transformed with common usage to "email".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dotesports.com/culture/ap-style-esports-13789 |title=Goodbye eSports: The 2017 AP Style Guide will settle the esports spelling debate once and for all |publisher=Dot Esports |author=Justin Binkowski |date=25 March 2017 |access-date=26 April 2017 |archive-date=19 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519175625/https://dotesports.com/culture/ap-style-esports-13789 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://esports.yahoo.com/its-official-the-ap-style-guide-spells-it-esports-not-esports-e-sports-or-esports-233434245.html |title=It's official: The AP Style guide spells it 'esports', not 'eSports', 'e-sports', or 'Esports' |publisher=Yahoo Esports |author=Taylor Cocke |date=24 March 2017}}</ref> Richard Tyler Blevins, better known as "[[Ninja (streamer)|Ninja]]", became the first professional gamer to appear in a cover story for a major sports magazine when he appeared in the September 2018 issue of ''[[ESPN The Magazine]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.vg247.com/2018/09/18/ninja-espn-magazine-cover/ | title = Fortnite streamer Ninja graces cover of latest ESPN magazine – a first for professional gaming | first = Stephany | last = Nunnelley | date = 18 September 2018 | access-date = 18 September 2018 | work = [[VG247]] }}</ref>

===Internet live streaming===
[[File:Vikkikitty at 2GGaming Championship Saga.jpg|thumb|right|In January 2017, [[Victoria Perez]] (pictured in December 2017), also known as VikkiKitty, was the first woman to commentate a major ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' event.]]
Many esports events are [[streamed]] online to viewers over the internet. With the shutdown of the Own3d streaming service in 2013, [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]] is by far the most popular streaming service for esports, competing against other providers such as Hitbox.tv, Azubu, and [[YouTube Gaming]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.redbull.com/en/games/stories/1331687386855/hitbox-vs-twitch-which-is-better |title=How Hitbox plans to take on Twitch |author=Jon Partridge |publisher=RedBull |date=29 October 2014 |access-date=29 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamingsoul.com/pcmac/own3d-is-shutting-down-twitch-tv-declared-winner/ |title=Own3D is Shutting Down. Twitch Declared Winner. |publisher=GamingSoul |author=Erik Cloutier |date=29 January 2013 |access-date=1 July 2013}}</ref> Dreamhack Winter 2011 reached 1.7 million unique viewers on Twitch.<ref name="dreamhackrecord">{{cite web |url=http://www.dreamhack.se/dhw11/2011/12/06/dreamhack-and-twitch-tv-announce-record-breaking-online-viewership/ |title=Dreamhack and Twitch Announce Record-Breaking Online Viewership |date=16 April 2021 |publisher=Dreamhack}}</ref> While coverage of live events usually brings in the largest viewership counts, the recent popularization of streaming services has allowed individuals to broadcast their own gameplay independent of such events as well. Individual broadcasters can enter an agreement with Twitch or Hitbox in which they receive a portion of the advertisement revenue from commercials which run on the stream they create.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2013/02/05/talking-livestreams-esports-and-the-future-of-entertainment-with-twitch-tv/ |title=Talking Livestreams, eSports and the Future of Entertainment with Twitch |author=Paul Tassi |magazine=Forbes |date=2 May 2013 |access-date=16 September 2013}}</ref>

Another major streaming platform was [[Major League Gaming]]'s MLG.tv.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tv.majorleaguegaming.com/ |title=MLG Streaming Platform |publisher=Major League Gaming |access-date=28 July 2014 |archive-date=9 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709141832/http://tv.majorleaguegaming.com/ }}</ref> The network, which specializes in ''[[Call of Duty]]'' content but hosts a range of gaming titles, has seen increasing popularity, with 1376% growth in MLG.tv viewership in Q1 of 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/nadeshot-joins-mlg-tv-streaming-platform-apps-for-android-and-ios-released |title=1376% Growth in MLG.tv Viewership in Q1 |publisher=Major League Gaming |date=10 April 2014 |access-date=28 June 2013 |archive-date=13 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713090243/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/nadeshot-joins-mlg-tv-streaming-platform-apps-for-android-and-ios-released/ }}</ref> The 2014 ''[[Call of Duty: Ghosts]]'' broadcast at [[Major League Gaming|MLG]]'s X Games event drew over 160,000 unique viewers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esportsmax.com/events/mlg-championship-2014-anaheim-ca |title=MLG Championship 2014 – Anaheim, CA |publisher=Esports Maxl |date=22 June 2014 |access-date=28 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627135654/http://www.esportsmax.com/events/mlg-championship-2014-anaheim-ca |archive-date=27 June 2014 }}</ref> The network, like Twitch, allows users to broadcast themselves playing games, though only select individuals can use the service. For several years, MLG.tv was the primary streaming platform for the ''[[Call of Duty]]'' professional scene; famous players such as [[NaDeSHoT]] and [[Scump]] have signed contracts with the company to use its streaming service exclusively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/nadeshot-joins-mlg-tv-streaming-platform-apps-for-android-and-ios-released |title=Video Game Super Star "Nadeshot" Signs Exclusive Deal with Major League Gaming |publisher=Major League Gaming |date=10 April 2014 |access-date=28 June 2013 |archive-date=13 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713090243/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/nadeshot-joins-mlg-tv-streaming-platform-apps-for-android-and-ios-released/ }}</ref> In January 2016, MLG was acquired by [[Activision Blizzard]].<ref name="nyt-mlgbuy" />

[[YouTube]] also relaunched its livestreaming platform with a renewed focus on live gaming and esports specifically.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailydot.com/esports/youtube-google-esports-livestreaming/ |title=YouTube to relaunch livestreaming service with focus on esports and gaming |first=Richard |last=Lewis |website=The Daily Dot |date=24 March 2015 |access-date=4 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414052737/http://www.dailydot.com/esports/youtube-google-esports-livestreaming/ |archive-date=14 April 2015 }}</ref> For [[The International 2014]], coverage was also simulcast on [[ESPN]]'s streaming service [[ESPN3]].<ref name="polygon-espn3dota">{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/7/17/5913301/the-international-dota-2-championships-espn3 |title=The International Dota 2 championships will be watchable on ESPN3 |work=Polygon |date=17 July 2014 |access-date=21 July 2014}}</ref> In December 2016, [[Riot Games]] announced a deal with [[MLB Advanced Media]]'s technology division BAM Tech for the company to distribute and monetize broadcasts of ''League of Legends'' events through 2023. BAM Tech will pay Riot at least $300 million per-year, and split advertising revenue.<ref name="polygon-bamtechaol">{{cite web |title=League of Legends' maker inks rich broadcast contract, with an eye on premium content |url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/12/18/13998614/league-of-legends-premium-tv-service-mlb |website=Polygon |date=18 December 2016 |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=18 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="wsj-lolmlb">{{cite news |title='League of Legends' E-Sports Contests Lure Newest Fan: Major League Baseball |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/league-of-legends-e-sports-contests-lure-newest-fan-major-league-baseball-1481889603 |website=The Wall Street Journal |date=16 December 2016 |access-date=18 December 2016|last1=Needleman |first1=Sarah E. }}</ref>

===Television===
[[File:Televised Star Craft.jpg|thumb|left|''[[StarCraft]]'' match televised on [[MBCGame]] in [[Seoul]], South Korea]]

Especially since the popularization of streaming in esports, organizations no longer prioritize television coverage, preferring online streaming websites such as [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]]. [[Ongamenet]] continues to broadcast as an esports channel in South Korea, but [[MBCGame]] was taken off the air in 2012. Riot Games' Dustin Beck stated that "TV's not a priority or a goal",<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/danieltack/2013/09/04/riot-games-league-of-legends-and-the-future-of-esports/ |title=Riot Games, 'League of Legends', And The Future Of eSports |magazine=Forbes |author=Daniel Tack |date=4 September 2013 |access-date=8 October 2013}}</ref> and DreamHack's Tomas Hermansson said "esports have [been proven] to be successful on internet streaming [services]."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gosugamers.net/starcraft2/news/25446-dreamhack-partners-with-mtg-for-esports-studio-in-stockholm |title=DreamHack partners with MTG for eSports studio in Stockholm |publisher=Gosu Gamers |author=Radoslav "Nydra" Kolev |date=25 September 2013 |access-date=12 November 2013}}</ref>

On the night before the finals of [[The International 2014]] in August, [[ESPN3]] broadcast a half-hour special profiling the tournament.<ref name="polygon-espn3dota"/> In 2015, ESPN2 broadcast ''Heroes of the Dorm'', the grand finals of the ''[[Heroes of the Storm]]'' collegiate tournament. The first-place team from the [[University of California, Berkeley]] received tuition for each of the team's players, paid for by Blizzard and Tespa.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Molina |first1=Brett |title=Blizzard unveils "Heroes of the Storm" tournament |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/gaming/2015/03/06/heroes-of-the-storm-tournament/24493989/ |website=USA Today |access-date=24 January 2016}}</ref> The top four teams won gaming equipment and new computers. This was the first time an esport had ever been broadcast on a major American television network. The broadcast was an attempt to broaden the appeal of esports by reaching viewers who would not normally come across it. However, the broadcast was met with a few complaints. Those living outside of the United States were unable to view the tournament. Additionally, the tournament could not be viewed online via streams, cutting off a large portion of viewers from the main demographic in the process.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/heroes-of-the-dorm-finals-were-a-success-story-for-esports/ |title=Heroes of the Dorm finals were a success story for esports |website=[[PCGamer]] |first=Tom |last=Marks |date=27 April 2015 |access-date=4 May 2015}}</ref>

In September 2015, [[Turner Broadcasting System|Turner Broadcasting]] partnered with [[William Morris Endeavor|WME/IMG]]. In December 2015, the partnered companies announced two seasons of the [[ELeague]], a [[Counter-Strike: Global Offensive]] league based in North America including 15 teams from across the world competing for a $1,200,000 prize pool each 10-week season. The tournament, filmed at Turner's studios in [[Atlanta]], Georgia, was simultaneously streamed on online streaming websites and [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|TBS]] on Friday nights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.e-league.com/|title=ELeague Official Website|access-date=27 January 2016|archive-date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822190032/http://www.e-league.com/}}</ref>

In January 2016, [[Activision Blizzard]], publishers of the ''Call of Duty'' and ''StarCraft'' series, acquired [[Major League Gaming]]. In an interview with ''[[The New York Times]]'' about the purchase, Activision Blizzard CEO [[Bobby Kotick]] explained that the company was aspiring to create a U.S. cable network devoted to esports, which he described as "the ESPN of video games". He felt that higher quality productions, more in line with those of traditional sports telecasts, could help to broaden the appeal of esports to advertisers. Activision Blizzard had hired former ESPN and [[NFL Network]] executive [[Steve Bornstein]] to be CEO of the company's esports division.<ref name="nyt-mlgbuy">{{cite news |title=Activision Buys Major League Gaming to Broaden Role in E-Sports |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/05/technology/activision-buys-major-league-gaming-to-broaden-role-in-e-sports.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1 |website=The New York Times |date = 4 January 2016|access-date=5 January 2016|last1 = Wingfield|first1 = Nick}}</ref>

[[TV 2 (Norway)|TV 2]], the largest private television broadcaster in [[Norway]], broadcasts esports across the country. TV 2 partnered with local Norwegian organization House of Nerds to bring a full season of esports competition with an initial lineup of ''Counter-Strike: Global Offensive'', ''League of Legends'', and ''StarCraft II''.<ref>Commercial broadcast company TV 2 is partnering with local Norwegian organization House of Nerds to bring a full season of esports competition to domestic airwaves.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailydot.com/esports/esports-norway-tv2/ |title=Esports are coming to television in Norway |website=[[The Daily Dot]] |first=Jared |last=Wynne |date=18 February 2015 |access-date=7 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414000347/http://www.dailydot.com/esports/esports-norway-tv2/ |archive-date=14 April 2015 }}</ref>

In April 2016, [[Big Ten Network]] announced a collaboration with Riot to hold an invitational ''League of Legends'' competition between two universities from the collegiate [[Big Ten Conference]], as part of Riot's collegiate championships at [[PAX East]].<ref name="sbnation-btnlol">{{cite web |title=Riot Games and Big Ten Network partner for televised Ohio State vs. Michigan State League of Legends match |date=14 April 2016 |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2016/4/14/11414260/ohio-state-michigan-state-league-of-legends-big-ten-network |publisher=[[SB Nation]] |access-date=18 April 2016}}</ref> On 17 January 2017, Big Ten Network and Riot announced that it would hold a larger season of conference competition involving 10 Big Ten schools.<ref name="nyt-big10lol">{{cite news |title=Big Ten Universities Entering a New Realm: E-Sports |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/19/sports/big-ten-is-entering-a-new-realm-e-sports.html |website=The New York Times |date=19 January 2017 |access-date=27 January 2017|last1=Tracy |first1=Marc }}</ref>

[[Nielsen Holdings]], a global information company known for tracking viewership for television and other media, announced in August 2017 that it would launch Nielsen esports, a division devoted to providing similar viewership and other consumer research data around esports, forming an advisory board with members from [[ESL (company)|ESL]], [[Activision Blizzard]], [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]], [[YouTube]], [[ESPN]], and [[FIFA]] to help determine how to track and monitor audience sizes for esports events.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/nielsen-esports-company |title=The company that governs TV ratings just started an esports organisation |first=Ali |last=Jones |date=18 August 2017 |access-date=18 August 2017 |work=[[PCGamesN]]}}</ref>

In July 2018, on the first day of the inaugural [[2018 Overwatch League season]] playoffs, Blizzard and [[Disney]] announced a multi-year deal that gave Disney and its networks [[ESPN]] and [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] broadcast rights to the Overwatch League and [[Overwatch World Cup]], starting with the playoffs and continuing with future events.<ref name="OWL on TV">{{cite web | url = http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/24062274/overwatch-league-comes-espn-disney-abc | title = Overwatch League comes to ESPN, Disney and ABC | date = 11 July 2018 | access-date = 11 July 2018 | work = [[ESPN]] }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Competitive programming]]
* [[Gamer]]
* [[Fantasy sport]]
* [[International Esports Federation]]
* [[Doris Self]] (recognised in 2007 by Guinness World Records as the oldest video game competitor)
* [[Video game culture]]
* [[Phygital sport]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Esports}}
*[https://iesf.org Official website of the International Esports Federation (IESF)]
*[https://www.globalesports.org/ website of the Global Esports Federation (GEF)]
*[https://eef.gg Official website of the European Esports Federation (EEF)]
*[https://www.pbs.org/video/-book-rise-competitive-gaming-e-sports/ The Rise of Competitive Gaming & E-Sports] Video produced by ''[[Off Book]]''

{{Clear}}
{{E-SportsLeagues}}
{{video game gameplay}}
{{Main world championships}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Esports| ]]
[[Category:Video game culture]]
[[Category:Team sports]]
[[Category:Individual sports]]