What are esports competitions?
Esports competitions are organized tournaments and leagues in which players or teams compete at video games under set rules, usually for titles and prize money. They range from small online cups anyone can enter to franchised pro leagues and world championships played in sold-out arenas and streamed to millions of viewers.
Formats
- Online tournaments and ladders: open to anyone, often used as qualifiers.
- LAN events: in-person competitions on the same network, from local events to arena finals.
- Leagues: seasons with regular matches, playoffs and finals, such as regional League of Legends leagues.
- World championships: the season's top events, such as the League of Legends World Championship, Dota 2's The International and Valorant Champions.
Popular esports games
- MOBA: League of Legends, Dota 2, Mobile Legends.
- Shooters: Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, Call of Duty.
- Fighting games: Street Fighter, Tekken, Super Smash Bros. (Evo is the biggest fighting-game event).
- Battle royale: Fortnite, PUBG, Apex Legends.
- Sports and others: EA Sports FC, Rocket League, StarCraft II.
How to take part
- Pick one game and get to a high rank in its ranked mode.
- Enter open online tournaments, often listed on the game's official site or tournament platforms.
- Join or form a team through community Discords and amateur leagues.
- Look at school and college esports programs — many US high schools and colleges have teams, and some colleges offer scholarships.
FAQ
Is esports a real sport?
It is widely recognized as competitive sport: it has leagues, pro athletes, coaches and international events. Whether it counts as "sport" in the traditional sense is still debated.
Do people get paid for esports?
Top players earn salaries from teams plus prize money, streaming and sponsorships. Most competitors, however, earn little or nothing.
Is it hard to get into esports?
Playing in amateur events is easy; going pro is extremely competitive and takes years of practice and a peak rank.
What are the most common injuries in esports?
Wrist and hand strain (including carpal tunnel issues), neck and back pain, and eye strain, mostly from long sessions and poor posture.