Are Stadium Events the Future of Esports?
Thousands of fans packed into a stadium to watch esports may seem impressive, but is this really the future of the industry?
Many believe so, including ESL, one of the biggest event organizers in competitive gaming. With Swedish media powerhouse MTG buying a majority stake for about $87 million, ESL has already hosted multiple stadium events this year, and according to ESL Executive Vice President Craig Levine, this is just the beginning.
“We believe stadium events are the future,” Levine told the Daily Dot.
For ESL, stadium events mean more than just photos and crowds. They want to create a space where esports can thrive.
ESL’s roots are in Germany, where they have been hosting the ESL Pro Series for over a decade. By consistently staging engaging stadium events, ESL hopes to build foundational communities in various locations for further growth.
Levine emphasizes ESL’s mission to “celebrate the culture of esports,” going beyond simply hosting professional teams and games on a big screen. However, running successful events and turning them into hot tickets is still a challenge. Educating fans on these events and convincing them to attend in person can be difficult.
Attracting top professional teams, creating a unique live experience, and successfully marketing tickets to fans who may not be used to buying them are all necessary for success. And that’s not to mention the potential issues that can arise during the event itself.
Despite these challenges, ESL is willing to take the risk because the potential reward is worth it.
Stadium events have a more established history in Korea, where they date back to the days of StarCraft: Brood War. The rest of the world is now catching up to Korea’s professional gaming scene, and organizations like ESL and MLG are trying to establish events that can stand on their own as a draw for fans.
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