In esports, players compete in video games that are watched by people around the world. The competitions are organized and sanctioned, with some players earning millions of dollars through sponsorships and tournament prize pools. Esports fans flock to gaming arenas and watch tournaments online or on TV. The most popular games include first-person shooter (FPS) titles, real-time strategy (RTS), multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA), and fighting and sports simulators.

While some people still debate whether esports should be considered a legitimate sport, the industry continues to grow and attract millions of viewers. Riot Games, the developer of the popular League of Legends game, even fought to get the US government to recognize esports as a sport and give international players work visas.

As technology develops, more and more gamers are able to compete in esports. Some esports fans gather together to watch games at gaming arenas or online through streaming sites like Twitch. Some of these events are sponsored by big-name brands and attract thousands of spectators. Players sometimes dress in costumes inspired by their favorite characters and cheer on the participants. Others watch in chat rooms or on Reddit threads and Discord servers focused on a particular game.

The 2025 Free Fire World Cup featured Indonesian team EVOS Esports taking home the top prize of $300,000 USD. The fighting game had 17 teams competing for the Summoner’s Cup trophy. Other notable 2025 esports news included Edward Gaming winning the CS: GO World Championship, and Blast expanding its North American presence with a new NYC office.