It’s no longer a secret that esports has become a billion-dollar industry with more than 500 million fans around the world. Esports titles such as League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, or Dota 2 are filling stadiums, attracting multi-million dollar sponsorships, and pulling more viewers than some traditional sports. The big question is: can esports participate in the Olympic Games? With increasing attention, financing, and infrastructure, it’s easier to imagine esports being included in the Olympic Games. But is it enough to qualify as a sport in the Olympics? Let’s take a look.
The Rise of Esports: A Global Phenomenon
In the past two decades, esports has gained a lot of attention, and even more so during the pandemic. In 2021, The International of Dota 2 broke the record for the biggest prize pool by offering $40 million. The League of Legends World Championship had more than 100 million viewers, which is greater than the viewership of the Super Bowl. Professional esports are now recognized by governments as a valid occupation, with South Korea even granting athlete visas to professional gamers. Universities have started sponsoring esports for scholarships, and several brands, such as Intel and Red Bull, have started sponsoring tournaments for millions of dollars.
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What Defines an Olympic Sport? Key Criteria for Inclusion
In order for a sport to become part of the Olympic Games, it has to follow certain criteria:
- Worldwide Participation – The sport has to be played by at least three million males in over seventy-five countries and at least one million females in over forty countries.
- International Management – There must be an international federation that adheres to the governing rules of the Olympic Games.
- Active Participation – The IOC prefers sports that show the most physical activity.
- WADA Compliance – It must be aligned with the policies and protocols of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Even though some of the criteria listed above have been fulfilled, other obstacles remain. Nonetheless, athletes from other nontraditional sports, such as skateboarding and breakdancing, have been included in the Olympics, so why not esports?
Esports and the Olympics: Past Attempts and Current Discussions
Esports has had links with the Olympic movement before. During the Asian Games 2022, esports was introduced as a new medal event that included FIFA, Street Fighter, and League of Legends. In 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) organized the Olympic Esports Week, where virtual competitions in cycling, sailing, and even chess took place.
Nonetheless, some believe that conservative thinkers in the IOC staunchly oppose this. Back in 2018, former President Thomas Bach made a broad dismissal of CS2, Valorant, and other violent games. Still, the IOC continues to emphasize sport-based games such as Gran Turismo and Virtual Taekwondo. This doesn’t cover all the hottest esports titles and the biggest games, but there is still room for hope during deeper conversations.
Challenges Facing Esports as an Olympic Discipline
Let’s take a look at the major things that hinder esports from becoming an official Olympic event:
- Ownership: Esports titles differ from traditional sports because they are owned by companies such as Riot Games and Valve. The IOC prefers independent sports.
- Uniformity: Different game patches and updates make preserving consistency hard. Olympic sports demand definitive, fixed rules.
- Physical Activity Debate: Some believe that esports lacks physical effort, but the IOC emphasizes physical exertion.
- Fair Play: In esports, harsher policies for anti-doping are warranted because performance-enhancing drugs, such as stimulants, are a worrying factor.
The changing world of esports is alarming, but it is possible that some of these challenges may be met in the near future with honest regulation. Regardless, esports as a whole is changing at an unparalleled rate.
Potential Benefits of Esports Joining the Olympic Games
Potential Benefits of Esports Joining the Olympic Games
The inclusion of esports in the Olympics would be revolutionary. The industry would earn newfound recognition, and the IOC’s scope among younger demographics would expand as well.
New viewers, coming in by the millions, would be an annual benefit. The age group that esports captivates, which falls between 18 and 34, is the toughest to entice through traditional sports. With the 2023 League of Legends Worlds esports competition having a peak of over 6 million viewers, the decline of teenage viewership during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is quite telling. The integration of esports could help the IOC regain relevance.
The increased recognition would benefit the esports sector significantly. More government money would be allocated toward training, building esports facilities, and funding educational programs. South Korea and China already have esports academies set up with government funding, and these initiatives would help further legitimize the industry. Having the support of an Olympic empire would make this possible on a global scale.
Esports and the Olympics: A Matter of Time?
Esports are among the world’s fastest-expanding fields with respect to viewership, audience engagement, and competition. The statistics show everything: billions in revenue, millions in prizes, and breathtaking views that surpass any sports event. The opposition from the IOC is weakening, and esports sets a yearly record on its way to attaining full Olympic acceptance. Whether in 2028, 2032, or anytime after, one thing is certain: esports is no longer just a game. It is a global phenomenon, and its debut on the Olympic stage is bound to happen.