Although they have been around in some shape or form since the early 1980s, esports have only recently started to gain worldwide popularity. Nowadays, some of the largest esports competitions, such as The International 2021, have prize pools of over $40m. To put this into perspective, the record prize for an esports tournament in 2007 was $1m, so you can see how quickly things have developed.
Another aspect of esports is the growing popularity of esports betting. Many punters are tired of standard sports betting, and betting on events such as DOTA 2 or CS:GO competitions can be a lot more exciting. Esports betting is straightforward to get the hang of, especially if you already know the basics of the games being played. For comprehensive information, you can check out CSGO betting sites to see your full range of options and the various welcome bonuses and ongoing bet promotions on offer. Stay with us as we explore the ins and outs of esports from its beginnings in the 1980s to the present day.
What are esports?
First and foremost, it’s crucial to answer the question of what esports actually are. Even the most passionate gamers may not understand the term, as it has only recently started being used worldwide. Essentially, esports is competitive gaming, usually at tournaments such as the 2022 FIFAe World Cup or League of Legends World Championship 2022.
Esports professionals play in teams and are paid salaries – just like normal sports stars. Numerous teams compete in tournaments nowadays, and the financial rewards are truly remarkable. For example, Team Liquid has won a combined total of $39,377,501.82 so far, playing in 2,248 esports tournaments since its inception in 2000.
A quick history of esports
The history of esports stretches back to early tournaments like the 1980 Space Invaders Championships. In the inaugural edition, 10,000 gamers competed, all looking to post the highest score possible. A few years later, Walter Day established the US National Video Game Team. It was the first professional esports team in the world, beginning life in 1983.
Unfortunately, esports in the 1980s were held back by technological constraints, so it was hard to achieve global reach. This all changed in the 1990s, when things like the Nintendo World Championships opened up competitive video gaming to a global audience. This set the foundations for huge tournaments like The International or Fortnite World Cup in the 21st century. Additionally, tech companies such as Sony and Microsoft made esports possible on a much larger scale, with their Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
The popularity of esports in statistics
Looking at the market statistics for esports paints a pretty fascinating picture. During the 1990s and early 2000s, the revenue generated was negligible at best, but as new consoles and next-gen video games have progressed, the global appetite for esports has risen dramatically. For example, the global esports market size is predicted to hit almost $3bn in 2025, up from $0.97bn in 2020. You would do well to find many other sports with those kinds of growth numbers.
Another insightful way to track esports progress over the last few years is through the increase in prize pools offered. The International 2015 had an overall prize pot of $18.43m, whereas the 2021 edition offered a whopping $40.02m. It has more than doubled in little over five years, which is frankly astonishing. Elsewhere, the popularity of esports betting is increasing massively. The global market for esports betting is expected to hit $205bn by 2027, exemplifying how popular it is becoming.
What are the most famous esports competitions?
Esports competitions were quite rare before the 2000s, but there are countless tournaments for gamers to cut their teeth at nowadays. Here are some of the most famous examples:
- The International.
- CS:GO.
- League of Legends.
- DOTA 2.
- ESL Intel Extreme Masters.
- League of Legends Championship Series.
How can you get involved with esports?
We really don’t blame you if you’re thinking of getting involved with esports, especially after reading about the gargantuan prizes on offer. You will have to ensure that you’re up to the task, as professional gamers are freakishly good at the games they play. You won’t be able to just waltz into a professional esports team, so practice is essential.
Investing in gaming aids like the Razer Junglecat is also a great way to enhance your skills. Keep at it, and who knows? You could be the next esports phenomenon!
