What is esport? Esports combines the words “electronic” and “sports”. This spectator sport involves risk, excitement, and pure entertainment. Hundreds of millions of people watch eSport competitions each year. The competitive players have to endure the same physical demands as real-world athletes. They must train rigorously and hire full-time coaches to keep their bodies in peak condition. But, while the prizes are big, the competition is a spectator sport.
esports is a combination of “electronic” and “sports”
Esports is a popular game format in which professional gamers compete against each other in competitions. Like traditional sports, esports is organized in leagues and structured according to rules. Teams and individuals play games individually or in teams to win titles and sponsorship. Professional esports players devote a significant amount of their time to competing in esports events. In addition to playing video games, these professional players receive a salary and work with psychologists, physical trainers, and experts to help them improve their game skills.
It is a spectator sport
Gaming has become a massive spectator sport, attracting millions of fans to watch and participate in video game competitions around the world. In 2020, an estimated 495 million people will watch video game competitions and compete individually. Media rights and sponsorship of eSports competitions are expected to reach $822.4 million by 2020. While these numbers are quite small, they do indicate the potential of the esports industry to grow.
It involves risk
Like any other sport, esport involves risk. It is competitive, organized gaming at the professional level, and it is very difficult to play without risking a major injury. One such example is Zoomaa, a professional athlete who retired from the sport in 2021 after suffering an injury during a game. It is important for players to understand that esports involves risk, and they should take precautions when playing the game.
It is pure entertainment
While high schools are already on the path towards esports, higher education is a bit behind. While esports are popular and are becoming a growing industry, the future of these events lies in the younger generations. In a sense, Esports are pure entertainment that is not regulated or governed by any authority. Instead, it is a form of competition that involves playing video games and achieving certain achievements.
It is growing fast
There is no doubt that the popularity of esports is increasing and is becoming more mainstream. Compared to traditional sports, esports have the potential to gain a wide audience and offer many benefits, including the possibility to get sponsored and become a professional. Moreover, the popularity of esports has spread to both high school and college campuses. These games are often strategy based and require teamwork, such as multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games and card and deck building games. Some esports are team based and some are 1v1.
It will be bigger than football by 2022
While eSport is only in its early stages, its potential is already enormous. The prize money for League Legends is larger than that of the Tour de France and US Open. Compared to football, the prize money for eSports is much smaller, but if the game gains popularity it could surpass the sport’s popularity. In addition, eSports competitions will generate a much larger audience than conventional sports.
