Where Is Esports Held?
Contents
eSports are video game competitions held between professional players. These competitions are usually sponsored by gaming companies or held at gaming conventions.
General Locations of Esports
Esports are becoming more and more popular and with that, their locations are also expanding. In the past, most esports were only held in North America or South Korea, but now they are being hosted all over the world. Some of the most popular locations for esports include the United States, Canada, China, and Europe.
North America
While there are esports events held all around the world, most of the big tournaments and leagues are based in North America. This is largely due to the fact that the majority of professional esports teams are based in this region, as well as the fact that many of the biggest gaming companies and sponsors are based in North America.
Some of the most popular esports tournaments and leagues that are held in North America include the Overwatch League, Call of Duty World League, Halo World Championship Series, and the Counter Strike: Global Offensive Major Championships. These events attract top teams from all around the world, and offer huge prize pools that can reach up to millions of dollars.
If you’re an aspiring esports professional, then competing in North American tournaments is a must. Not only will you be able to compete against some of the best teams in the world, but you’ll also have a chance to earn a lot of money if you’re able to make it to the top tiers of competition.
Europe
Europe is a large continent that covers more than 10,000,000 square kilometers. It is home to more than 700 million people, making it the second most populous continent after Asia. Europe is also the richest continent in the world, with a GDP of over $20 trillion.
In terms of esports, Europe is home to some of the biggest tournaments and organizations in the world. Some of the biggest events in esports are held in European cities such as Berlin, Cologne, and Warsaw. Europe also has a strong presence in online gaming, with many of the world’s top teams and players coming from countries such as Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Asia
The majority of esports events are held in Asia, with China and South Korea hosting the lion’s share of tournaments. These two countries are home to some of the biggest and most well-funded esports organizations in the world, which helps explain why they’re able to attract big-name sponsors and put on large-scale events. Other Asian countries with a significant esports presence include Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Venues for Esports
While most sports are tied to a certain location, such as a football field or basketball court, esports are not. esports are video game competitions that can be held anywhere with an internet connection. This lack of location requirements has led to some interesting places being used as venues for esports.
Stadiums
Whether it’s traditional sports or esports, stadiums are some of the most popular venues for large events. They offer a lot of space for audiences, and they’re designed to enhance the viewing experience with good sightlines and sound systems. Stadiums can also be used for other purposes when there are no events taking place.
There are a few stadiums around the world that have been specifically designed with esports in mind. The most famous of these is probably the Overwatch League arena in Los Angeles, which was built by Blizzard Entertainment specifically for their Overwatch League competition. It seats up to 450 people and has all the special features you would expect from an esports stadium, including a big stage, a big screen, and good lighting.
Other popular stadiums for esports events include Madison Square Garden in New York City, which has hosted several high-profile events such as the Intel Extreme Masters New York competition; the National Stadium in Beijing, which was used for the League of Legends World Championship in 2017; and Seoul’s Jamsil Sports Complex, which has hosted several international competitions including overwatch APEX Season 4.
Arenas
Esports venues are purpose-built stadiums designed to host large-scale gaming events. These arenas are equipped with the latest technology to provide a top-tier gaming experience for both competitors and spectators.
The most iconic esports venue is the El Dorado Gaming Stadium in Mexico City. This stadium has been home to some of the biggest esports tournaments in the world, including the Overwatch World Cup and the League of Legends World Championship.
Other notable esports venues include:
-The Dome in Bangkok, Thailand
-Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland
-National Esports Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan
-Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China
-TwitchCon Esports Arena in San Diego, United States
Casinos
In the early days of esports, competition was often held in someone’s home, a local LAN cafe, or even online. But as the industry has exploded in popularity, so too have the venues that host esports events. Nowadays, you’ll find esports being played in traditional stadiums and arenas, as well as dedicated esports venues, convention halls, and even casinos.
Casinos may seem like an unlikely choice for hosting esports events, but it actually makes a lot of sense. For one, casinos are already set up to handle large crowds of people and have plenty of space to accommodate them. They also usually have state-of-the-art audio and visual setups that are perfect for broadcasting esports matches. And perhaps most importantly, casinos are used to dealing with gambling—which is a big part of the esports industry.
Future of Esports Locations
Right now, most esports tournaments are held in auditoriums or arenas that have been modified to support gaming. This includes setting up areas for player warm-ups, holding the actual tournament, and providing space for post-game interviews. However, as esports continues to grow in popularity, it’s likely that more dedicated esports venues will start to pop up.
Increased Focus on Asia
The global esports market is expected to reach $1.6 billion by 2022, according to Newzoo’s 2019 Global Esports Market Report. And while the Asia-Pacific region currently accounts for the lion’s share of that revenue (an estimated $662 million this year), North America isn’t far behind at $345 million. By comparison, Europe is projected to generate $ 251 million in 2019, and the Middle East & Africa will bring in $59 million.
While the Asia-Pacific region continues to be the largest and most lucrative market for esports, North America is projected to see the highest growth rate over the next few years. In fact, Newzoo predicts that North American revenues will increase by 26.7% between 2018 and 2022—a higher growth rate than any other region in the world. This is largely due to increased investment from publishers, brands, and media rights holders in North America.
One of the biggest reasons for this increased interest in esports is the massive potential audience in Asia. China alone has an estimated 600 million gamers—more than twice the population of the United States—and they’re expected to spend $30.8 billion on games this year, according to research firm Niko Partners. Other countries in Asia are also big gaming markets, including South Korea (where esports first began to gain mainstream popularity) and Japan.
The Asia-Pacific region is also home to some of the biggest and most prestigious esports tournaments in the world, including The International (an annual Dota 2 tournament that has a prize pool of more than $30 million) and League of Legends World Championship (which had a prize pool of more than $6 million this year). These tournaments attract huge audiences both online and offline, further demonstrating the potential reach of esports in Asia.
As more brands and publishers continue to invest in esports, we can expect to see even more growth in both Asia and North America—two regions that are poised to lead the way in this rapidly growing industry.
More Venues in North America and Europe
The global eSports market is growing rapidly, with more tournaments, bigger prize pools, and more viewers tuning in every year. This growth is expected to continue in the coming years, with the total global eSports market expected to reach $1.8 billion by 2022.
One of the key factors driving this growth is the increasing number of eSports venues around the world. In North America and Europe, there are already a number of large arenas that have been purpose-built for eSports tournaments, and many more are in the planning stages. This is a significant development, as it shows that eSports is evolving from a niche interest into a mainstream spectator sport.
Looking to the future, it is likely that we will see even more dedicated eSports venues popping up all over North America and Europe. This will provide a boost to the growing professional scene, as well as giving casual fans more opportunities to watch their favorite teams and players in action.