eSports
Can eSports Maintain Momentum as Live Sport Comes Back into Play?
eSports has become more popular since the beginning of 2020, but will its popularity continue once sports are back on TV?
![](https://europeangaming.eu/portal/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/gamer-3725586_1280.jpg)
eSports has become a phenomenon within the gaming industry over recent years. It has transformed into huge arenas, sell-out crowds, multimillion teenagers before they leave school – and some are even lobbying for it to become part of the Olympic Games.
The whole movement has been the centre of attention since sports were cancelled and postponed in response to the recent trying times. With no games to watch, sports fans turned to eSports to get their kicks, throws, tackles and catches. Overall, this replaced sports for many fans and became a haven where they could continue to watch unpredictable edge-of-the-seat action and even support their teams. The latter is made possible because some official elite sports teams recruited pro gamers to represent them in eSports tournaments.
eSports Also Attracted the Gambling Market
Many sports fans like to bet on their favourite team and have a lot of fun doing so. However, these betting activities were also placed on a hiatus during the recent sports blackout. Without sports, the sports betting market also stopped. eSports was already part of betting markets for some online bookmakers, but more online casino and betting sites began to offer new betting opportunities. This has perked the attention of people who like to bet on all type of sports. You can find betting sites that are offering eSports betting markets at BettingOnline.co.uk, which also provides guides and useful tips to help you get started.
Will eSports Continue the Momentum?
eSports has been growing at significant rates for almost a decade. The recent months have catapulted that growth further with more sports fans tuning in, as well as people who do not class themselves as sports fans.
The chances of every new viewer switching eSports off once their favourite sports team is back on the field are unlikely to almost impossible. The sports blackout will have scooped up a lot of new fans and a proportion of them will likely keep watching to some degree. That means the games drought can only have been useful for eSports despite how many sports fans do not watch eSports again. Recent events may have just put eSports forward a few months or even a year or two (in terms of viewership which then transpires into sponsors etc.).
Other Reasons Why eSports will Grow
There are other reasons why eSports is not likely to lose momentum as it gathers pace as the pinnacle of the gaming community, such as:
- Internet access is always growing
- Streaming sites like Twitch are also growing in users
- Younger generations have grown up with these games
- The stigma of gaming is being shaken off
- Even eSports channels are being created
- Most gamers are professional workers in their 30s (not what you may think!)
- eSports arenas are being built in popular destinations, such as Las Vegas
eSports
IESF Kicks off Bidding Process for 2025 and 2026 Events
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The International Esports Federation (IESF) has officially launched the bidding process for the next two editions of the World Esports Championship and Regional Qualifiers. Cities interested in hosting IESF’s flagship event can learn more about the bidding process on the IESF Events Bidding Process page.
WEC, a long-standing tradition of competitions watched across the world, creates a direct opportunity for the host to link its city brand to the IESF Realm, multiple game titles, and some of the world’s best athletes.
IESF remains open to discussions with any cities, regions, or countries worldwide that are interested in hosting the World Esports Championship or Regional Qualifiers. We welcome inquiries from all potential hosts to explore the opportunities and benefits of bringing these premier esports events to their locations.
IESF General Secretary Boban Totovski said: “After Bali, Iasi, and Riyadh this year, we are all looking forward to our next host for the 17th World Esports Championship. We already have many cities waiting for the process to start bidding and we are all very excited to start the negotiations and discover where will the IESF flag go on the 19th of November in Riyadh, on the closing ceremony”
IESF assesses potential hosts based on several criteria, including how well they align with regional and national development plans, as well as the long-term strategic goals of the IESF vision and mission. The host city is expected to meet all requirements set by IESF. The final selection of the host city is made by a vote from the IESF Board.
The 2023 World Esports Championship in Iași, Romania, was a unique experience, attracting over 100,000 attendees and amassing an impressive 35 million viewers across all platforms. This year, the championship moves to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, promising to be the biggest event yet with a record 130 nations and over 600 players competing, solidifying Riyadh as this year’s Esports capital.
Which city will rise to become the next epicenter of esports excitement?
eSports
Skyesports Championship 2024: Aurora Gaming and 3DMAX Become First Teams to Advance to the Playoffs
![](https://europeangaming.eu/portal/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sdafjlksajoidlkmdn.jpg)
The Skyesports Championship 2024, a $300,000 international Counter-Strike 2 esports tournament, is taking place at the Taj Lands End, Mumbai from July 24 to 28. As the Group Stage nears its conclusion, two teams have advanced to the prestigious Playoffs, where they will battle for glory and a shot at the lion’s share of the prize pool.
Serbia’s Aurora Gaming and France’s 3DMAX Vie for Glory: First Teams to Reach the Playoffs
Aurora Gaming and 3DMAX have earned this accolade with flawless records so far in the Group Stage.
The 11 participating teams, which include prominent esports organizations from Mongolia, France, Turkey, India, and Russia, have been split into two groups: A and B.
In Group A, Aurora has secured their spot in the Playoffs after convincing victories against Parivsion, ENCE, and True Rippers, standing first in their group with a 3-0 record. With their advancement to the next stage, Aurora is eyeing a consecutive third trophy in Skyesports’ IPs, having previously won the $350,000 Skyesports Masters 2024 and the Skyesports Grand Slam 2024 in Pune, India.
All eyes are still on Group A as teams like The Mongolz and ENCE have to battle it out on Day 3 to make it to the Playoffs.
In Group B, 3DMAX has triumphed over Amkal, DMS, and Revenant Esports, securing a 3-0 record at the top of the group.
The action continues in the Skyesports Championship on Day 3, as the final day of the Group Stage will decide who will join 3DMAX and Aurora Gaming in the Playoffs. Fans can catch all the action live on the Skyesports YouTube and Twitch channels.
Unlike the Group Stage, the Playoffs will take place on the main stage at the prestigious 5-star hotel, the Taj Lands End in Mumbai, India.
Group A Standings
Group B Standings
eSports
THE DOTA 2 VIRTUAL HALL OF FAME: GG.BET AND DOT ESPORTS PRESENT 50 WORLD RECORDS
![](https://europeangaming.eu/portal/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dota2.jpg)
Dot Esports, the leading esports news outlet, and betting brand GG.BET have created a virtual hall of fame to celebrate 50 Dota 2 World Records. Check it out to discover the stories behind the most impressive feats in the game’s competitive history and watch videos of when they happened.
The Dot Esports team have painstakingly selected and presented Dota 2 records in 5 categories: players, teams, tournaments, content creators and talent. You can find a list of the extraordinary individuals and organizations in each one, as well as dive into the events that have made Dota 2 a Tier-1 esports discipline on the world stage.
GG.BET press office: “Although Dota 2 was released over 11 years ago, it continues to rank among the top games in the esports community. As we wait for the biggest tournament of the year, The International 13, to kick off, we’ve decided to look back and reflect on the most remarkable milestones throughout the competitive history of Dota 2. Did you know that the fastest time a match was won was in less than 8 minutes? Or that there’s a team that’s played 2813 professional matches? The experts at Dot Esports will tell you all about this and much more in our joint project. We’re delighted to support the creation of such insightful content.”
Jody Rones, CRO at Dot Esports: “From its humble beginning as a fan made mod to one of the largest games in the world, DotEsports is thrilled to partner with GG.BET to shine a light on DOTA and its community as it passes its 11 year mark. From the content creators, to the team, players, tournament organizers, shout casters and more, they’re a key part of what makes this esport great, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to give them the recognition they deserve with the launch of the collaborative DOTA World Records.”
50 Dota 2 World Records is already available on the Dot Esports website in English and Ukrainian.
Before the end of the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive era and the transition to CS2, Dot Esports put a spotlight on 50 CS:GO World Records in collaboration with GG.BET. This project got a great reaction not just from the esports community, but from the players and teams themselves.
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