The structure of esports
Ever thought about how esports works in the UK and how it stacks up against other countries? Maybe it’s not something you’ve really thought about before, but hey, it’s actually pretty interesting to dive into!
In the UK
In the UK, esports has acquired its structure through national governing bodies and industry-related organisations.
The government plays a huge role in the structure of British esports, as they believe esports can develop into an area of national strength and patriotism in the UK, because the rapid growth and major support 'indicate the existence of a solid foundation to build on'.
The government plans to develop its relationship with the esports sector by identifying, promoting, and exploiting areas that benefit the UK. The government has identified concerns surrounding players working and competing in the UK, access to venues, and ensuring competitions can be conducted safely and fairly.
Ukie is the UK’s leading trade body for the video games industry, representing businesses of all sizes. Dedicated to supporting and driving growth across the sector, Ukie plays a vital role in shaping pro-gaming policies and promoting esports. They are also committed to transforming public perceptions of video games and their cultural impact.
National Students Esports (NSE) serves as the official body for university esports in the UK and is home to the nation's most vibrant grassroots gaming community. NSE organises a variety of esports tournaments, allowing UK university students to compete, connect, and thrive. By fostering a supportive community and offering access to competitive events, NSE plays a key role in advancing esports at the university level.
The British Esports Federation is the UK’s official national body for esports and a non-profit organisation. They form national teams to represent the UK globally and host tournaments to showcase talent. They created the Student Championships, an annual competition for schools and colleges. In partnership with the NSPCC, they set global safeguarding standards for esports. An expert Advisory Board from the esports, video games, and sports industries guides them.
In Japan
In Japan, esports is categorised under "cinematography works" or "computer programming works" rather than being officially recognised as a sport.
Much like the British Esports Federation (BEF), Japan has its own regulatory body, the Japan Esports Union (JeSU).
The legal classification of esports in Japan poses challenges for its growth due to restrictions under the "Act Against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations." However, JeSU's licensing program offers a solution, enabling professional players to sidestep these barriers and compete on an international stage.
In some ways, this mirrors the structure in the UK, where esports is also not officially recognised as a sport. Both countries operate under their respective governing bodies—JeSU in Japan and BEF in the UK. However, the lack of official recognition poses significant restrictions in Japan, whereas in the UK, esports offers more opportunities for integration with education. This includes initiatives like the BEF's Student Champs and the National University Esports League.
In the USA
In the USA, esports has been classified as a sport since 2013, which allows for esports players to get nationally respected qualifications, and competitors are eligible for a temporary work visa. Esports is officially governed by the United States eSports Federation (USeF), which is a member of the International eSports Federation (IeSF). Beyond governance and recognition, esports has also seen massive growth in educational integration across the United States. Many universities and colleges now offer esports programs, scholarships, and even dedicated gaming facilities for competitive teams. These initiatives not only provide budding gamers with career opportunities but also help legitimise esports as a viable and respected pathway for students passionate about competitive gaming.
This imitates the UK's esports framework in several ways, as both countries have dedicated governing bodies (BEF in the UK and USeF in the USA) and actively encourage educational opportunities within the esports industry. However, a key distinction lies in classification: the USA recognises esports as a sport, granting access to sport-related benefits, while in the UK, esports is categorised solely as a game.
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