Is esports a sport? Settling the debate

Is esports a real sport? It’s a debate that’s been raging on for decades, along with others like “Are video games good for you?” and “Are video games an art form?”

You can also add chess to this group of activities, which was questioned due to its lack of physical activity. Even skateboarding was initially considered a nuisance rather than a sport, but it’s now been classified as a sport and debuted at the 2020 Olympic Games.

Should esports be considered a sport? The answer is not as clear-cut as it may seem, even though it’s been around since 1972. With this in mind, we’re going to break down why esports is a sport, but we’ll also explain the other perspective, arguing why esports is not a sport.

There are plenty of elements that make up a sport, the first one being competition. In every sport, there is some sort of battle, where, at the very least, it’s one person versus another, such as boxing or darts. Watching a duel between (at least) two competitors or teams is what makes something classed as a sport.

Another element is skill. Some are naturally gifted in a particular area, while others start from ground zero, practicing nonstop until they feel ready to compete. Another part to this is adaptability when facing an opponent, as quick reactions and making tactical decisions could sway a match in your favor.

There’s also the factor of physical and mental endurance. Reaction speeds can be incredibly important in some sports, such as football and tennis, while others require processing a huge amount of information to know how to respond to certain opponents.

Finally, a core element can be teamwork. Communication and working with others when under intense pressure can be crucial in certain sports. In tandem with this, leadership can matter a great deal, as they can guide their team members to victory with the right attitude.

To help explain why esports is a sport, the following components are important elements of most sports and are also present in esports competitions.

Competitive structure: Like traditional sports, esports have professional leagues, tournaments, and governing bodies.

Skill and strategy: Esports demands quick reflexes, deep game knowledge, teamwork, and mental endurance to win matches.

Physical and mental demand: Granted, esports isn’t physically intense like football or basketball, but players do undergo strain, such as hand-eye coordination, reaction speed, and mental endurance.

Recognition: Some authorities, like the Olympic Council of Asia, already recognize esports as a sport.

On the other hand, the following can be used as key reasons why esports is not a sport.

Physical effort: Classic definitions of sport include meaningful physical movement, which esports lacks compared to athletics-based sports such as football and tennis.

Perception: Some contend that esports is more like chess or poker, which are considered ‘mind sports’ instead of ‘physical sports.’

Created by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and announced in 2024, the Olympic Esports Series is an upcoming global esports competition that will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027. They replace the Olympic Esports Games and will be held every two years, in between the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

The IOC tested something similar in 2021 and 2023, with an ‘Esports Week’ featuring a bunch of games that players could compete in. The committee clearly recognizes esports’ role for the next generation.

This commitment definitely answers the question – should esports be considered a sport? With the Olympic Esports Series being hosted for at least 12 years until 2039, it’s almost a certainty that millions more will be introduced to the world of global competitive gaming, evolving the category even more than we’ve seen in the past 30 years.

Esports have tremendous potential to be one of the most influential sports in the world. With millions of players and viewers already taking part, esports is a multi-billion dollar industry, thanks to sponsorship deals, celebrity investments, and more.

Esports also has the potential for diversity and inclusivity to be important aspects, more than many other sports. Teams and players around the world can foster friendships and more, all thanks to the games they play in a competitive setting. There’s also the benefit of career opportunities, opening up a job economy to countries worldwide that could expand esports into other areas.

With the Olympic Esports Series gearing up for 2027, there’s also the acknowledgement from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that esports has a big part to play, which could inspire the next generation of world-class players for games we’ve yet to see on platforms yet to be released.

Whether you think esports is or not, it can’t be denied that the industry is thriving and being recognized by groups that have been involved in sports for decades, if not centuries.

For many reasons, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) setting up the Olympic Esports Series is a big deal. As mentioned, certain sports, like skateboarding, weren’t recognized as sports until they became part of the Olympics. With esports having its own Olympic tournament in 2027, it’s further proof that its status as a legitimate sport is no longer a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when.’