How is esports developing in Russia and around the world?

Over the past few years, esports in Russia has become a powerful phenomenon that is actively growing and attracting increasing attention. Russian esports athletes are taking leading positions on the international stage, and the industry as a whole is demonstrating steady growth. This sport is becoming an integral part of culture, business, and education, both in Russia and beyond its borders.

**Esports in Russia: History and Development**

The development of esports in Russia began in the late 1990s to early 2000s when computer clubs started appearing all over the country. It was during this time that the first local tournaments for games like Counter-Strike, Warcraft III, and StarCraft began to be held. In 2001, the Federation of Computer Sports of Russia (FCSR) was established, which was an important step towards the official recognition of esports as a legitimate sports direction.

The initial successes of Russian esports athletes in international tournaments drew attention to this industry, and since then, the popularity of esports in Russia has been steadily increasing. Today, Russian teams and players are among the best in the world, and major tournaments regularly take place in the country, attracting tens of thousands of spectators and millions of online participants.

**Current Trends and Development**

**- Growth of professional teams and tournaments:** Esports in Russia is currently on the rise, as evidenced by the increasing number of professional teams and leagues. Russian organizations such as Virtus.pro, Team Spirit, and Gambit Esports are achieving significant successes on the global stage, winning prestigious tournaments in Dota 2, CS, Rainbow Six, and other disciplines.

**- Support from the government and business:** In recent years, esports has received official recognition in Russia at the state level. In 2016, the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation included esports in the registry of official sports, which was an important step for its development. In addition, large companies and brands actively invest in esports, sponsoring tournaments, teams, and various projects.

**- Infrastructure development and talent preparation:** Specialized esports arenas, educational programs, and academies are actively developing in Russia. This not only helps prepare a new generation of esports athletes but also creates all the necessary conditions for holding large-scale events at the highest level.

**Development of Esports Worldwide**

**- Global esports market:** Esports has long surpassed being a local phenomenon and has become a global industry. According to Newzoo, the global esports market exceeded 1.3 billion dollars in 2023. The number of esports viewers continues to grow, and it is expected that by 2025, their number will reach 600 million people.

**- Leaders in global esports:** The leading countries in esports development are South Korea, China, and the USA. In these countries, esports has become part of the national culture, and players enjoy celebrity status. South Korea is traditionally considered the «cradle» of esports, where professional tournaments and leagues began earlier than anywhere else. China and the USA also see rapid industry growth supported by robust infrastructure and significant investments.

**- Integration of esports into popular culture:** Esports is actively integrating into popular culture and becoming an integral part of the entertainment industry. Major tournaments such as The International for Dota 2 and the League of Legends World Championships attract millions of viewers and have become significant events in the world of sports and media.

**Challenges and Prospects for the Development of Esports in Russia and Worldwide**

Despite the successes, esports in Russia and globally faces several challenges. One of the main challenges is the lack of legal regulation and standardization, which creates certain difficulties for market participants. However, considering the current growth rates and the attention esports is receiving from the government and businesses, it can be expected that these issues will be addressed in the near future.

The prospects for esports development also include expanding its influence on the educational system. In Russia and other countries, programs and courses aimed at training professionals in the field of esports are already emerging. This opens up new opportunities for youth and contributes to the further growth of the industry.

**Esports in Russia — a Powerful Driver of Development**

Esports in Russia continues to develop rapidly, becoming one of the key elements of modern culture and economy. The support from the government, growing interest from businesses and investors, as well as active participation of youth, ensure further growth and strengthening of Russia’s positions on the global esports stage. In the coming years, we can expect even more significant achievements from Russian teams and players, as well as the development of infrastructure and educational initiatives, allowing esports to take a worthy place among traditional sports.