eSports Guide: Discover the Potential of the Competitive Gaming Scene!

You read that right: games are considered a sport — or rather, eSports (short for electronic sports). And yes, the competitive scene is heating up more and more, featuring professional athletes, teams with coaches and sponsorships, and even multi-million-dollar prize pools.

According to a study by GamesIndustry.biz, the global eSports market is already worth $184.3 billion. In Brazil alone, the projected revenue reaches $2.8 billion, as pointed out by PwC Brazil, highlighting the country’s importance in this sector.

Games were created in 1962 and became popular as a form of entertainment, with the competitive scene starting to take shape in the 1980s — gaining even more momentum in the internet era and with the rise of livestreams by streamers.

But why have eSports become so popular and profitable? What are the main games and competitions? In this article, you’ll find out everything about electronic sports and the competitive gaming scene. So grab your controller, press start, and keep reading!

What are eSports?

Known as digital sports, eSports are gaming competitions where players—or rather, athletes — compete professionally against each other. To do so, they rely on a structure similar to that of traditional sports: teams, coaches, prize money, and live broadcasts for the fans.

Thus, eSports championships can be held either remotely or in person—and the same goes for the audience, who can follow the matches through live streaming platforms, social media, television, or even by attending in person.

It’s important to note that the term eSports includes all games played competitively — from League of Legends to Free Fire. Drawing a parallel with football (soccer), they are different categories of the same sport — after all, the traditional modality is divided by age groups, gender, and inclusion. The same applies to eSports, where different games are considered variations of the same sporting practice.

With the global growth of the modality, it has become possible to make a living from eSports — earning salaries and prizes by participating in competitions. This way, players can use strategic skill, reflexes, and the excitement of gaming to engage communities of followers and no longer see games as just a hobby.

What is the History of eSports?

The person who created video games was American physicist Willy Higinbotham, who, in 1958, made an electronic tennis game available on an oscilloscope to visitors at his laboratory.

Four years later, in 1962, DEC PDP-1 computers received the intergalactic battle game SpaceWar. Created by MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) students Slug Russel, Wayne Witanen, and Martin Graetz, the game became a hit — leading to the creation of the Odyssey, the first console marketed by Magnavox in 1972.

Spacewar was even responsible for the first eSports competition in history. In 1972, students at Stanford University organized the Intergalactic Spacewar Olympics — where the winner received a one-year subscription to Rolling Stone magazine.

Eight years later, Atari hosted the first tournament for its classic Space Invaders in the United States, with more than 10,000 participants. This large-scale event was even portrayed in the 1989 movie “The Wizard,” where young players compete in an eSports tournament that features the reveal of the then-unreleased Super Mario Brothers 3!

In the 1990s, fighting game tournaments such as Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat brought gamers together, paving the way for the growth of digital sports.

In 2002, for example, Major League Gaming (MLG) was created — one of the pioneering competitive eSports leagues in the world. Competitions like Intel Extreme Masters and World Cyber Games also played a significant role.

In fact, the spread of the internet was crucial for this market to truly take off — making games more accessible and enabling remote play. Moreover, the emergence of social media and live streaming platforms such as Twitch helped eSports solidify and reach staggering financial heights.

Why Are eSports Considered a Sport?

Now it’s time to address the elephant in the room: what makes eSports a sporting discipline? This question has been raised by many people, and since it is a sport that has gained recognition more recently, there is still some prejudice surrounding it.

In fact, this question is not exclusive to eSports — it has also been raised in relation to Poker and even Chess, which were respectively recognized as mind sports by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1999 and 2010.

In this regard, it's important to highlight that sport is not only about physical performance. Competitiveness and established rules are also essential aspects, along with the possibility of winning prizes.

Another important point is that, although the physical aspect of eSports differs from high-performance disciplines such as football or basketball, it still plays a role. This is because digital sports athletes need great dexterity, fast reflexes, strategy, and teamwork to succeed.

An additional key factor is the level of professionalism and dedication required in eSports: athletes train intensively, follow specific diets, and undergo physical and mental training programs to improve their performance.

What Are the Main Types of eSports?

As a vast market, gaming encompasses a wide range of popular genres, each with its own competitive scene. Among the main types of eSports that engage communities are:

MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena)

MOBA games are among the most popular types of eSports. In these games, two teams of players compete in a virtual arena, each controlling heroes or unique characters with special abilities. Famous MOBA examples include League of Legends (LoL) and Dota 2.

FPS (First-Person Shooter)

FPS games are first-person shooters where players take on the role of soldiers or combatants in battle scenarios. These games are known for their intense action and the need for aiming skills and strategy. Popular FPS titles include Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Valorant, and Overwatch.

RTS (Real-Time Strategy)

RTS games are based on real-time strategy, where players control armies and build bases to defeat opponents. These games require quick strategic thinking and efficient resource management. Notable RTS examples include StarCraft II and Age of Empires.

Fighting Games

Fighting games are characterized by one-on-one combat, where players control characters with unique fighting abilities. These games are known for their complex and competitive mechanics. Popular fighting game examples include Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, and Super Smash Bros.

Simulators

Simulation games offer players the chance to experience realistic activities in various fields such as sports, racing, and building. These games feature organized competitions and leagues where players showcase their skills and strategies. Well-known simulator examples include FIFA and Gran Turismo.

What Are the Main eSports Competitions in the World?

eSports have given rise to high-level competitions that attract millions of viewers from around the world. Here are some of the leading eSports competitions:

Free Fire

With over 150 million daily players, Free Fire is a battle royale available for Android and iOS — and became the most downloaded mobile game in 2019, as it is free-to-play and accessible to gamers of all ages and income levels.

Launched in 2019, the Brazilian Free Fire League (LBFF) has three divisions and, just like football, features promotion and relegation of teams. LOUD, the first-time champion, is the current titleholder and winner of a R$ 105,000 prize, securing qualification for the World Championship — EVOS Phoenix.

This year, the C.O.P.A Free Fire is the game’s first competition. Hosted by presenter Camilota XP, analyst Cabelo Gamer, and caster Carlos Andrade, the tournament kicked off on February 25 and will hold its grand final on March 25. The winner will take home a prize of \$ 200,000.

The LBFF will feature 18 teams, including LOUD and Los Grandes. The league is set to begin on April 15, with the final scheduled for August 5.

Completing the list is the Free Fire World Series (FFWS), still without a set date and venue. Typically, Garena organizes it in November, inviting the 12 best teams of the season.

Dota 2

Among the main MOBAs in eSports, Dota 2 matches are played between two teams of five players. As one of the biggest games in the genre, the prizes are massive —The International, the world championship, awarded $6.6 million to the winners in 2015, a prize larger than many traditional sports competitions like the Copa Libertadores.

Among the main tournaments is the Berlin Major 2023, which started on April 25 and ended on May 6. With 18 teams, the prize for the grand final winner at the Velodrom Arena was $500,000.

Held in Romania, the IESF World Championship 2023 offers a $100,000 prize and currently has no confirmed teams. The competition will take place between August 28 and September 2.

Already mentioned, The International will feature an even bigger prize: $40 million for the top team. The matches will be held from October 7 to 29, with teams yet to be confirmed.

League of Legends

Another MOBA responsible for the rise of digital sports, the competitive League of Legends scene is vast — in terms of both teams and tournaments. Riot Games' competitions are even broadcast by ESPN Esports.

The Brazilian Championship of League of Legends (CBLOL) began on January 21 with a rematch of the previous final between paiN and LOUD. The winner of the competition, which ends on April 15, will take home the biggest share of the R$400,000 prize and a spot in the Mid-Season Invitational 2023.

Hosted in London, the MSI 2023 will bring together 13 teams from China, North America, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Japan, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. The competition will be held between May 2 and May 21.

Another ongoing tournament is the CBLOL Academy, equivalent to the youth category of League of Legends. The goal is to reveal new talents for CBLOL teams and award R$20,000 to the champion. It started on January 26 and ends on March 17.

Completing the list is the Worlds, the League of Legends World Championship, which will return to South Korea. With 22 teams for the Play-In Stage, Swiss Stage, and Knockouts, the competition dates and prize pool — $2 million last year — are yet to be announced.

EA Sports FC

The leading football game on the market may have changed its name after the FIFA and EA Sports partnership ended, but EA Sports FC has not lost its eSports strength.

With only South American players, the eLibertadores was held in Buenos Aires on February 25 and 26 and was won by Baxada. The eChampions League knockout stage will take place in London on April 22 and 23, featuring the top 32 Pro Players from Europe.

Another competition is the FIFAe Nations Cup, which will involve national teams and offer $400,000 in prizes. The FIFAe Club World Cup, played by club teams, awarded $100,000 to Movistar Riders, last year’s champions. Finally, the FIFAe World Cup features the world's 32 best players and awarded $250,000 to the winner Umut in 2022. Dates for all three competitions in 2023 are yet to be confirmed.

Counter-Strike 2

Those who remember the LAN house days know: Counter-Strike 2 is one of the top FPS games on the market. Brazilian teams like paiN Gaming, FURIA, Fluxo, and MIBR are major competitors in this essential eSport.

The Clutch is one of Brazil's main CS\:GO championships. Created in 2019, it brings together eight teams and awards R$150,000 to the winner, who earns a spot in the Mochel XL eSports event.

The Major is the CS\:GO World Championship, held twice a year with 24 teams and a $1 million prize. Brazil has hosted the Major twice.

Also noteworthy is the Brazilian Counter-Strike Championship, held in the second half of the year with eight teams. Imperial Esports is the current champion, taking home R$25,000.

Rainbow Six: Siege

Based on Tom Clancy's novel, the Rainbow Six series is one of Ubisoft’s flagship games, with thirteen titles since 1998. Released in 2015, Rainbow Six: Siege has become one of the world's top eSports, known for adrenaline, excitement, and strategy.

The main R6 tournament is BLAST R6, featuring nine regional competitions: Asia, Brazil, Europe, Japan, MENA (Middle East and Africa), LATAM, North America, Oceania, and South Korea.

In addition, the BLAST R6 Major is the Rainbow Six: Siege World Championship, bringing together the best teams from each league to crown the world's top squad.

Valorant

Launched by Riot Games in 2020, Valorant is an FPS where two teams of five players face off in an arena—the attacking team must plant the Spike on the enemy base while the defending team tries to stop them. Players control Agents with unique abilities, categorized as Controllers, Duelists, Initiators, or Sentinels.

Organized by Riot itself, the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) is the competitive circuit launched in 2021 and features two tournament levels.

Tier 1 includes international leagues: Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa), Pacific (Asia and Oceania), the new China League, plus two world championships: Valorant Champions and Valorant Masters.

Tier 2 features Valorant Challengers, consisting of 23 regional leagues for non-partnered teams competing for Ascension spots — qualifying them for the international leagues. This category also includes Valorant Game Changers, local tournaments exclusively for women and minorities that lead to the Valorant Game Changers Championship.

NBA 2K

Sega needed to create its own sports game series for the Dreamcast, leading Visual Concepts — later acquired by Take-Two Interactive in 2005 and rebranded as 2K — to develop titles for multiple platforms. NBA 2K remains their biggest hit.

In partnership with the NBA itself, the NBA 2K League is the game’s premier eSports tournament. Running since 2018, the competition features 25 teams — 22 affiliated with NBA franchises, plus The Gen.G Tigers, DUX Infinitos, and NBL Oz Gaming.

Overwatch 2

Launched in 2016, Overwatch was a huge critical and commercial success. This FPS pits two teams of six players in both PvE and PvP modes. Each player chooses from 31 heroes divided into three roles: Damage, Tank, and Support.

Overwatch 2, the sequel, replaced the original with new features. In 2024, Activision Blizzard announced the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS), a revamped competitive scene with international leagues across North America, EMEA, and Asia. The OWCS Major serves as the global championship, with 2024 editions held at DreamHack Dallas (USA) and DreamHack Stockholm (Sweden).

Rocket League

Released by Psyonix in 2015, Rocket League is a football game played with cars — a spiritual successor to Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars, which became so successful that other sports like basketball and hockey were added.

Naturally, the game's rising popularity made it one of the top eSports globally. Initially, tournaments like ESL and MGL were held in North America and Europe, later expanding worldwide.

The Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) was established in 2016 as the World Championship, and in 2020 the Rocket League Rival Series (RLRS) was introduced as the second division.

Key Trends in the eSports Market

The eSports market is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements and the growing interest of audiences worldwide. Here are some of the main trends shaping the eSports industry:

1. Growing Popularity

eSports have gained immense popularity in recent years, attracting millions of viewers and fans. The fan base continues to expand, reaching a diverse audience across different age groups and regions.

2. Increase in Investments

The eSports industry has attracted significant investments from traditional sports organizations and major companies. This influx of capital has led to improvements in infrastructure, higher prize pools, and better salaries for players.

3. Expansion of Mobile eSports

Mobile games have experienced tremendous growth, and eSports on mobile platforms are also gaining traction. Mobile eSports tournaments and leagues are becoming increasingly popular, creating new opportunities for players and organizations.

4. Integration of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies are being integrated into eSports events, enhancing the immersive experience for both players and spectators. This trend is expected to continue as these technologies evolve.

5. Crossplay Competitions

With the rise of cross-platform games, eSports competitions are increasingly being held in Crossplay format — allowing players on consoles, PCs, and mobile devices to compete against each other. This expands the reach and inclusivity of eSports.

6. Growth of Female Representation

The eSports industry is making efforts to promote gender diversity and inclusion. More women are participating in professional eSports competitions, and organizations are actively supporting and promoting female players.

7. Media Partnerships and Broadcasting Rights

eSports events are being broadcast on traditional TV networks, streaming platforms, and social media channels. Media partnerships and broadcasting rights agreements are increasing, providing broader exposure and greater accessibility to eSports content.

8. eSports Betting

With the growth of this market, betting platforms have embraced digital sports. And yes, it’s possible to bet on eSports in a responsible, fun, and safe way! The betting dynamics are similar to traditional sports, though it’s important to consider the unique aspects of each game’s competitive scene.

To learn more, make sure to read our eSports betting guide with all the tips you need!

Feel the Excitement of eSports at Blaze!

Now you know why the billion-dollar eSports market is growing so fast and becoming more popular each year. More and more games are joining the list of titles with competitive tournaments and thriving eSports scenes — all you need to do is keep an eye on your favorite betting platform!

Always remember to follow eSports for fun and plan any betting responsibly. Never use money you can’t afford to lose, read our Sports Betting Encyclopedia to understand how each market works, and always study the risks involved — this way, you avoid getting into trouble without having Continues to save you from a Game Over.

You can even follow matches in real time right here at Blaze — whether you’re betting or just watching live streams.

Get ready to explore the most exciting and popular tournaments of recent years! Unlock the thrill of gaming and visit Blaze's eSports page!

Frequently Asked Questions About eSports

What does eSports mean?

eSports is the name that defines professional gaming competitions in general. Any game can be a virtual sport, whether it's on PC or console. What matters is having a competitive circuit with rules, professional players, prize money, and of course, live broadcasts.

When were eSports invented?

Spacewar was the first game to feature a sports competition in 1972, with the Intergalactic Spacewar Olympics. In 1980, Atari organized a Space Invaders tournament with 10,000 players, along with several fighting game tournaments in the 1990s. As a competitive sport, eSports truly began in 2002 with the creation of Major League Gaming (MLG), a pioneering league.

Can you bet on eSports?

Yes! Just like traditional sports, the world’s top eSports have betting markets on major platforms. To place bets, you just need to understand the dynamics of the chosen game, the competition rules, and analyze data to make accurate predictions. For more information, check out our eSports betting guide.

How can you make money with eSports?

You can become a pro player, work as a caster, or even create content about each digital sports category. What is not a way to make money with eSports is betting on competitions—betting is not an investment or a source of income, and thinking otherwise can make you vulnerable to the risks involved.