Is gaming a sport? Are video games considered a sport?

Gaming is a sport in some places and contexts, but not everywhere. Competitive gaming (esports) has the rules, skill and training of a sport: esports were full medal events at the 2022 Asian Games (held in 2023), several countries officially classify esports as a sport, and the International Olympic Committee has worked on a separate Olympic Esports Games. Many sports bodies and dictionaries still define sport by physical exertion, so in everyday terms esports are usually called competitive gaming rather than a traditional sport.

Arguments that esports are a sport

• Structured competition: leagues, seasons, rankings and world championships.
• Professional athletes: contracts, coaches, daily practice schedules and teams with analysts.
• Skill and fitness: fast reaction time, precise motor control, strategy and teamwork under pressure.
• Recognition: inclusion in multi-sport events and national sports federations in some countries.

Arguments against

• Low physical exertion compared with traditional sports.
• Publisher ownership: each game is owned by a company that controls the rules and can change or end it.
• Rapid change: popular titles rise and fall within years, unlike stable sports like soccer.

So is a pro gamer an athlete?

In the sense of a full-time competitor who trains, travels and plays under contract, yes. Some governments even give esports players athlete visas for tournaments. Whether gaming counts as a "sport" in a given country, school or organization depends on its own definition.

FAQ

Is gaming in the Olympics?

Not as part of the regular Olympic Games. The IOC has instead backed separate esports events and announced an Olympic Esports Games, whose plans and dates have shifted.

Should video games be considered a sport?

It depends on your definition. If a sport is skilled, organized competition with training and pros, esports qualify; if it must be physically demanding, most people say they don't.

What makes something a sport?

Most definitions require competition, rules, skill and physical activity. Esports clearly meet the first three; the physical part is where opinions differ.