My first esports tournament and the revelations that followed...

Last week I had the pleasure of joining my industry colleague, dear friend, and respected force in global esports, Alyson Walker at the Toronto Ultra Major V Tournament. As someone who has followed the esports buzz for years from afar, I was curious to learn more and grateful for the chance to experience a tournament firsthand.

My biggest revelation?? Me, you, we – all of us know esports, we just might not realize it. The universal language of competition and the unifying power of sportsmanship are as prevalent in this arena as any other.

These athletes (an evolution of the preconceived notion for sure), these teams, leagues, fans, commentators, communities, rivalries, and sponsors, follow precisely the same structure as the traditional sports worlds we know and love. I was so struck by the similarities that I’ve summarized a few here:

1?? Skill and Strategy: Like traditional sports, esports requires exceptional skill and strategic thinking. Whether it's executing complex maneuvers in a virtual world or making split-second decisions on the field, both demand mastery and tactical prowess.

2?? Passionate Global Fanbases: Esports and traditional sports boast enthusiastic communities that rally behind their favorite teams and players. Fans showcase their support, attend live events, and engage in spirited discussions, fostering a vibrant and united community. Neal Covant of SponsorPulse? recently shared that, “esports delivers a sought after and diverse audience; 13 – 34 years = 60% of engagement, foreign born Canadians = 21%, non-Caucasian = 46% and LGBTIQA+ = 16%. These are all above national representation.”

3?? Role & Opportunity for Sponsors: Esports and traditional sports create avenues for sponsors to engage with fans, build affinity, and fuel a shared passion. From innovative live activations like those from Bell and TD at Major V to jersey patch deals, digital campaigns, and product integration, sponsors can captivate fans' attention and forge meaningful connections – driving relevance and revenue.

4?? Teamwork and Communication: Success in esports and traditional sports hinges on effective teamwork and clear communication. Collaboration, coordination, and synergy among teammates are crucial in achieving victory and reaching goals.

5?? Competition and Rivalries: Both realms thrive on intense competition and passionate rivalries. Whether it's a thrilling esports tournament or a championship match on a sports field, the drive to outperform opponents and claim victory is a shared experience.

The esports landscape is still young. Evolving by the minute, a new frontier of all sorts – but it isn’t nearly as foreign as I’d once thought. I’ll even admit that with reported reaction times in line with those of F1 drivers, there is a physicality I wasn’t giving these competitors credit for. I struggled with the “sports” in esports until I experienced a live competition for myself. Hopefully, this lens opens a few minds as the landscape and action heat up... and for the millions who already understand and acknowledge my newfound appreciation, I hear your collective “Duh”, thank you for your grace as I catch up.

Congrats again to Alyson Walker , Matt McGlynn , and the entire OverActive Media team on a super successful event, the sold-out crowds, and the epic competition.

If you read this far, you're amazing! I'd love to hear what you think ??????

#esports #TraditionalSports #CompetitionUnites #samesame #notscary #notthatdifferent #openminded #curious #learn #grow #strategy #sponsorship #sportsbusiness #UltraMajorV #TorontoUltra