The Esports industry has exploded in recent years, amassing millions of fans all around the world and continuing to spread its influence like wildfire in various regions. At its essence, this form of competition is defined as organized video game matchups that see experienced players battle it out against opponents, either individually or in teams. Some may question whether Esports can be considered a real “sport”. Below we take a look at some compelling reasons that, in spite of what some may think, Esports competitions bear a striking resemblance to other major sports events.
Both Feature Professional Teams/Players
One of the best parts of sports fandom is donning the jersey of your favorite player and decorating your house with memorabilia from the team(s) you love and support. In both Esports and more traditional sports communities like football, baseball, basketball, and hockey, fans can do just this in similar ways. In the Esports ecosystem nowadays, there are over a dozen different major leagues that compete in specific games, such as League of Legends and Overwatch. Likewise, professional leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB make up a selection of teams in different regions throughout the U.S., giving fans everywhere the chance to get involved. Additionally, enthusiasts of both sports follow every action of the players they support, just in slightly different ways. For example, Esports enthusiasts may watch streaming sessions from their favorite team members, whereas fans of traditional sports narrow in on training sessions and live game playback action.
Both Have Online Betting Opportunities
Another aspect of fandom that is invaluable to the modern-day sports supporter today is online betting. Thanks to major technological developments, sports wagering has been given a new space to flourish in the 21st century. In the U.S. market, for instance, virtual bookmakers are growing their presence online as legislation continues to regulate betting in different states nation-wide. Here, sports supporters receive tips from expert pundits and place bets on a variety of major leagues. Additionally, these providers often offer promotional opportunities to engage, such as free bets for new users who are trying out the activity in the digital sphere for the first time. All of this is now available in the industry of Esports as well, as an influx of Esports-specific bookmakers have made their way into the online sports betting scene. In fact, it only makes sense to have the same wagering opportunities available in both settings, as people are interested in betting on video game outcomes in the same way there are interested in betting on the final score of a baseball competition. In the future, it is safe to say that we will see a larger variety of online bookmakers catering to Esports fans in addition to traditional sports fans.
Both Host Live Tournaments/Competitions
Esports and traditional sports environments host their fair share of important tournaments and games year-round. After all, this is why betting is such a big part of fandom as each league boasts a season-long schedule of fixtures cumulating in some type of Championship event. For example, in the NFL this is the Super Bowl, and in the Dota 2 Esports league, this is known as The International. While there are many other important events in each sport, these two are worth noting as they boast huge prize pools and permanent bragging rights for the victors. Additionally, in both arenas, live announcers are on the scene to broadcast all the action live for eager viewers. Live competitions in Esports are a huge deal for fans, so much so that there have even been rumors of them becoming part of the 2024 Summer Olympics program in Paris. Time will tell if these video game events make an appearance at such a prestigious sporting spectacle, but for now, fans of both Esports and traditional sports have a wealth of events to either attend or watch live at home.
