Electronic sports have established themselves as a robust professional market, characterized by audience, investment, and infrastructure. However, the operational mode of eSports presents significant distinctions compared to conventional sports, in addition to having its own specific characteristics. It is important to note that not every video game competition is automatically classified as an eSport.
In simple terms, eSports consist of video game competitions that follow well-defined rules, have an official format, and allow performance measurement through metrics such as scores, rankings, and match results. Just like traditional sports, electronic sports encompass various categories, which are macroscopically defined by the genres of the games. Currently, Strategy Games (MOBA), First Person Shooter Games (FPS), Fighting Games, Sports Games, and Battle Royale Games stand out.
Additionally, games are classified by themselves, citing examples such as League of Legends, Free Fire, and Street Fighter. For an electronic game competition to be considered an eSport, it is essential that there is a professional structure focused on the competitive aspect, ensuring a fair environment and competitive integrity. Other crucial elements include the popularity of the game, an established player base, and community engagement.
To understand the mechanics of an eSports championship, one must analyze the 'competitive logistics,' as this determines how championships, leagues, and other aspects of the scene are organized. There are two main methodologies: open circuits and franchised leagues.
In open circuits, the organization is delegated to independent operators from the game publisher. A common example is CS2, where groups such as ESL, Intel, and BLAST operate with support from Valve, the game distributor. On the other hand, franchised leagues are managed and centralized by the publisher itself. This is the model adopted by Riot, whose official tournaments are organized by the company, although they receive some assistance from partner organizations, mainly at regional levels.
These organizational formats also influence revenue distribution, determining who holds the broadcasting rights and receives sponsorships, whether endemic or non-endemic, in addition to being responsible for hiring talent and paying salaries.
eSports championships can be categorized into three levels: professional, semi-professional, and community. Professional competitions are those conducted directly by the publisher or licensed partners. Semi-professional tournaments serve as a transition to the professional level, being held by publishers themselves or by independent leagues or partner organizations. Community championships are autonomously organized by fans and players, although publishers, including Riot, occasionally support such events.
Despite variations between games, the architecture of tournaments and leagues tends to be standardized, typically divided into three stages: qualifiers, group stage, and playoffs. Additionally, there is segmentation by countries, regions, and world championships.
Qualifiers constitute the initial and elimination stages, open to any team or invited professional teams, depending on the tournament. The format can vary between single-elimination, double-elimination with re-entry tables, or group system. The Group Stage follows the qualifiers and often uses formats known as Round Robin, Swiss System, or GSL Format, with the dispute usually based on points accumulation. Finally, the Playoffs represent the final stage, usually in single or double format. A loss implies elimination or participation in the re-entry, while a victory in the final secures substantial prize money and/or a spot in a larger event.
National competitions elevate the most prominent teams to regional tournaments, which in turn grant access to the world championship. Some leagues do not have a specific national championship, leaving this responsibility to semi-professional tournaments, and each event occurs once or twice a year.
Electronic sports show notable figures. In audience, eSports reached 640.8 million viewers in 2025, according to Stalista data, representing an increase of approximately 47% compared to 2020. Regarding market value, estimates range between US$2.6 billion and US$5.34 billion, according to different analysts. Despite discrepancies, most agree that the market is in continuous expansion, potentially reaching US$12 billion by 2031, according to the Grand View Research group.
According to Mordor Intelligence, the main sources of revenue come from sponsorship and broadcasting rights. Media, advertising, and other sources account for 60.1%, while fees charged by the publisher and in-game sales correspond to 22%. Sponsorship contributes 39.9% of total revenue.
Unlike traditional sports, eSports have an owning entity: the publisher. This gives the publisher a more decisive role than sports federations, as it possesses the ability to modify game rules through updates, establish the official calendar, license tournaments, and control the ecosystem's brand.
This power is entirely linked to the company's vision and plans. It can drastically transform the scene by adjusting game balance, changing, adding, or removing maps and game modes. Furthermore, in fully online games, such as League of Legends and Dota 2, the publisher has the power to ban players or terminate the entire competitive scene by discontinuing the service. Historically, this autonomy is the main cause of conflict between eSports and traditional sports. However, there are companies, such as Valve, that exercise less invasive influence, limiting themselves to the highest levels of championships, contrasting with Riot's approach, which centralizes almost the entire competitive scene of its titles.
In recent years, esports have evolved drastically, moving from small and restricted competitions to large events that fill stadiums and reach millions of views online. This growth does not depend only on the athletes, but also on a vast audience that follows the events without necessarily playing the games, which helps explain the 640.8 million views recorded in 2025 and demonstrates that esports transcend mere game mechanics.
There is a common misconception that it is essential to play to appreciate esports events. However, this is not true; it is analogous to a football fan watching the sport without practicing it. The broadcasts are designed to entertain, relying on commentators who explain everything in a didactic way and inject energy, turning matches into a spectacle.
Even for those who do not know the game, esports broadcasts function as entertainment. The main focus lies in the tension generated by decision-making under pressure. Crucial moments, where every choice can determine the outcome, are intense, especially when professional players compete for high prizes and recognition.
Following the changes in leadership during tournaments and the intense rivalries is captivating. Additionally, informal conversations from commentators, interviews, and behind-the-scenes reports enrich the narrative, making these chronicles more tangible and closer to the viewer. This happens regardless of detailed technical knowledge of the game; it is enough to perceive the impact of each instant, such as the cheers of the crowd, the reactions of the competitors, and the emotion conveyed by the narrators, highlighting the most emotional aspect of the sport.
Professional esports players are more than just competitors; they often act as influencers, noted for their style, tactics, or simply their charisma. They build emotional bonds with the audience by following their journeys, rooting for their comebacks, and celebrating their achievements.
For those who do not play, this aspect serves as an entry point. Seeing a young person turn a hobby into a successful career, or hearing them on podcasts discussing the pressure and stress, can be more interesting than analyzing strategies or rankings. Understanding these professionals is enough to follow the scene, even without mastering the game's details.
Esports have established themselves as true cinematic spectacles, characterized by vibrant lights, grandiose presentations, and high-quality broadcasts. Such elements initially attract the audience, while the energy and emotion capture viewers, including on social media and streaming platforms.
Esports championships are highly accessible, mainly through platforms like YouTube and Twitch. This allows anyone to watch every moment for free and live. Furthermore, short content, such as TikTok clips and Instagram reels, promotes the best moments and tells the stories behind the teams.
It is not necessary to watch the entire broadcast to have fun. Many competitions produce specific videos for each match, influencers create analyses and highlights, and the teams themselves share their behind-the-scenes, goals, and inspirations. Thus, there is a vast amount of material, including short formats, focused on both the sporting and human aspects.
In terms of viewership, esports registered 640.8 million views in 2025, a significant increase compared to 435.7 million in 2020, representing a 47% growth. Specifically, the League of Legends World Championship 2025 reached a peak of 6,752,585 concurrent views and a total of 136,433,724 hours watched.
In-person numbers are also notable. The Esports World Cup 2025, held in Saudi Arabia, exceeded the mark of 100 thousand tickets sold, as did the event held in Paris that year. Moreover, the BLAST Austin Major 2025 (Counter-Strike) sold 70 thousand tickets in just six hours, attracting audiences from all over the United States. Globally, ticket sales generated $450 million in revenue, corresponding to 14% of the total global esports market revenue.
Esports demonstrate continuous growth and impressive figures. A key factor for this is the ability to present events that are not only grand but also engaging and charming. This illustrates that, more than an imposing vertical structure, the organic nature and the momentum of passionate communities are what truly drive esports and its events.
The worldwide audience for electronic sports (esports) reached a notable level of 640.8 million viewers in 2025. This figure is segmented into 318.1 million dedicated enthusiasts and 322.7 million occasional viewers, according to data compiled by the Marketing Growth Report.
Researchers Juho Hamari and Max Sjöblom from the University of Tampere, located in Finland, conducted a detailed study to understand the factors driving the public to watch esports online. The primary reasons identified include escaping daily difficulties, the desire to gain knowledge about the games, and intrinsic interest in the video game titles themselves.
Additionally, the analysis revealed emotional motivations. These include appreciating the aesthetics of the events and games, fascination with the athletes, the novelty of following new teams, and the satisfaction generated by the high competitive intensity demonstrated by the players.
The aspect of social interaction among viewers was also highlighted in the study. Even when connected virtually, real-time conversations on live broadcast channels provide an extremely rewarding social experience for the audience, establishing a globally engaged fan community.
Esports tournaments have evolved to become true spectacles, with broadcasts mirroring major traditional sporting events. Championships now incorporate grand opening performances, sophisticated productions with detailed sets and motion graphics, as well as charismatic commentators offering specialized analysis. This combination of exuberance and narrative gives esports a unique identity, differentiating them from conventional sports.
The esports sector demonstrates impressive growth, as reported by market analysts such as Grand View Research. This group estimates that the esports market was valued at US$2.6 billion in 2025 and projects this amount to rise to US$3.3 billion in 2026, representing a 26% increase in a single year. The projection for 2033 is even more ambitious, aiming for the market to reach US$12 billion.
This market advancement is sustained mainly by the increase in live streaming, the expansion of audience reach, engagement activities developed, and the improvement of infrastructure dedicated to leagues and tournaments. Such elements not only foster the expansion of the segment but also attract a growing flow of investment.
The current popularity of esports results from the confluence of several elements: from a generation that grew up immersed in video games to psychological factors, such as the feeling of belonging and community, combined with technological advancements. Although the internet is a dominant factor, enabling dynamic interactions between distant people, other aspects are equally crucial.
The emotion provided by watching the tournaments, coupled with the transformation of these competitions into true spectacles, plays a fundamental role in their success. It is evident that esports do not represent a passing fad; they constitute a fusion of sport, entertainment, and community, built by an entire generation. This allows for the creation of a phenomenon distinct from traditional sports, touching the audience both through the story told and the beauty presented, going beyond mere competitive dispute.
