Wales looks to hold a major Esports tournament
Wales is aiming to position itself as a major player in the global Esports industry, most notably by integrating the focus within schools and colleges across the country.
Esports, a type of organised competitive video gaming that is also known as eSports, e-Sports, egames, or electronic sports, primarily consists of teams playing against one another in tournaments for financial prizes.
The country is going from strength to strength in the field. 2023 saw the first Esport Wales Schools and Colleges Cup, which included among the competitors Gower College Swansea Owls, who also experienced success at the British Student Championships last year.
Then, in December, the Welsh Esports Federation (Esports Wales) were granted a full membership of the European Esports Federation. This will position the country and organisation as a vital contributor to the European Esports landscape.
Why does UK leadership in Esports matter?
A 2020 study by Olsberg SPI and Nordicity states that the UK Esports industry accounts for 8% of the worldwide market. Millions of gamers across the world are now participating in the industry to generate an income, with some prize pots worth millions of pounds.
As a result, experts estimate that the Esports market expected to be worth $1.87bn (£1.46bn) by 2025.
With companies like EXCEL ESPORTS, Red Bull, and Sidequest investing in locations and headquarters across London, the city is gradually becoming as a major hub for Esports facilities. It is therefore no surprise that London was chosen as the site of Esports Insider's yearly ESI London business conference.
Although Esports are not yet recognised as a legitimate sport in the UK, the government has expressed support for the industry.
"Esports has the potential to develop as an area of real national strength in the UK," the government said in response to a 2020 report from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS).
techUK's upcoming gaming activity
Over the coming months, techUK will be enagaging UK industry to ensure that the gaming and Esports sector is underpinned by world-leading emerging technologies.
For example, the next edition of our Industries of the Future series will focus on gaming technologies. This series explores how emerging and enabling technologies are transforming key industries around the world, assessing the challenges and opportunities for UK businesses, and considering what more we can do to accelerate digital transformation so that innovation is applied to the real economy in ways that change lives.
You can find out more about the upcoming webinar, taking place on 10 January from 10-11am, below.
Redefining web 3.0: Emerging economies, metaverse technologies, and the new age of the internet (with Shoosmiths)
Join techUK as we explore metaverse and web 3.0 technologies.
In this event, attendees will learn how these technologies will interact to spark innovative business models and new opportunities across sectors including retail, gaming and more.
Sign up free here to attend the presentations, panel discussions, networking session and technology demo area.
Looking to up-skill on future technologies?
In January 2024, techUK will launch a new area of activity on emerging gaming technologies.
This will kick off with our Industries of the Future: Gaming webinar, taking place on 10 January from 10-11am.
Sign up free here or reach out to [email protected] to express an interest in attending or contributing.
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
