When most people think about sports, the usual suspects come to mind: football, soccer, basketball, maybe even ping-pong long before eSports. Plenty of folks don’t realize eSports exist, and even fewer take them seriously. But with their rapid rise in popularity and the growing role of technology in everyday life, eSports are quickly becoming a global phenomenon—and college campuses are right in the middle of that momentum. So let’s take a moment to learn what eSports are all about.
What are eSports?
eSports, or electronic sports, is just a fancy and inclusive name for competitive video gaming. Although it’s been around as long as video games have, eSports didn’t take off until the ’90s, when leagues and tournaments exploded onto the scene. eSports is really an umbrella term; there is a limitless variety of games to play and tournaments to attend, making this activity accessible to everyone.
How popular are eSports?
As of 2026, eSports are more popular than ever. League of Legends—one of the longest‑running and most influential titles in competitive gaming—still draws massive global engagement, with well over 100 million active players and consistently high daily activity in countries like the US, Brazil, Turkey, Germany, and South Korea. Its annual World Championship remains one of the biggest events in eSports; in 2023 and 2024, viewership regularly surpassed 100 million across global streaming platforms, reinforcing its status as the most‑watched competitive game in the world. Even traditional sports have felt the shift: younger millennials and Gen Z increasingly prefer gaming content over major league broadcasts. Back in 2018, the opening day of the Overwatch League famously outperformed Thursday Night Football in average minute viewers, drawing roughly 280,000 viewers per minute—and that generational trend has only accelerated. With eSports continuing to expand, it’s clear they’re not just a niche hobby anymore; they’re a cultural force reshaping entertainment, competition, and college campuses alike.
What can you play?
The easy answer is that almost any game can become an eSport; however, some titles already dominate the competitive scene and carry the most weight on college campuses. If you’re looking to join a team or be taken seriously in collegiate eSports, these established games are the ones most programs focus on. Popular options beyond League of Legends include:
- Counter-Strike 2
- Dota 2
- Valorant
- Fortnite
- Rocket League
- Hearthstone
- Call of Duty
- Overwatch 2
If your college already has an eSports team, you’re in luck because joining the team will be easy. If you want to encourage your school to let you start an eSports team, considering these popular options would be your best bet to getting the support you need to pursue it.
How do you watch games?
Thanks to Twitch, the largest live‑streaming platform for gaming and competitive events, watching eSports is easier than ever. You can browse by game, team, or streamer and jump straight into live matches or tournament broadcasts. Thousands of players stream daily, so there’s always something happening — from casual play to professional scrims and major events. YouTube Gaming and HLTV also host live streams and match archives, especially for games like Counter‑Strike, while major tournaments often simulcast across multiple platforms to reach global audiences. Even traditional broadcasters have joined in: networks like ESPN have aired major eSports events, including League of Legends championships, on ESPN2 and through the ESPN app.
What are eSports tournaments, and how much can you win?
Professional eSports tournaments work much like traditional sports championships: teams or individual players compete through brackets, advancing from one event to the next as they outplay their opponents in pursuit of a final title. Two of the largest tournaments in the world are The International for Dota 2 and the League of Legends World Championship. The International 2021 set a historic record with a $40 million prize pool, making it the largest eSports payout to date. The next‑highest prize pool belongs to the Fortnite World Cup Finals, where the 2019 Solo and Duo events awarded over $15 million in total winnings. While nothing quite matches Dota 2’s massive prize pool, Fortnite’s World Cup remains one of the most lucrative events in competitive gaming.
What do eSports have to do with college?
eSports are booming, and colleges have noticed. Schools like Maryville University of Saint Louis, University of California, Irvine, and Miami University are the most well-known schools to have started varsity eSports teams and are among over 280 U.S. colleges that participate. In the same manner, more and more schools are offering eSports scholarships. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology made history in 2018 by offering full-ride scholarships to its entire 16-player roster, and this trend is sure to continue at other universities. Scholarships are widely available, and students are often recruited to play for varsity eSports teams the same way as other student-athletes. And again, if your school or school of interest doesn’t already have an eSports team, there’s always a chance they may add one if there’s enough interest! It may be extra work, but it could be worth it if competitive gaming is something you’re passionate about.
Related: Five Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Become a College Athlete
eSports offers a unique opportunity to students who love gaming and even students who don’t. Becoming involved in eSports can open you up to endless possibilities as the competitive video games garner more and more attention and respect—and even if you stay away from competitions, watching a game every now and then certainly is never boring.
If you’re really passionate about gaming, use our College Search tool to find a college with an eSports team or maybe even a major in Video Game Design!
