# Understanding the Esports Ecosystem
  



The Esports industry may look like a collection of tournaments, streamers, and teams — but behind the scenes is a complex web of roles, organisations, and technologies that form a living **ecosystem**.

This page explains how **different parts of the Esports world fit together** — from the companies that create the games, to the platforms that broadcast them, to the players and brands that bring it all to life.

  

## What is the Esports Ecosystem?

An **ecosystem** is a system where different elements interact and support one another. In Esports, this means:

* **Game publishers** create the titles people play competitively
* **Tournaments and leagues** organise structured competition
* **Broadcast platforms** stream the action to audiences
* **Teams and players** compete and build fanbases
* **Sponsors and brands** bring in money and visibility
* **Support services** (like coaching, analytics, wellbeing) help performance

No single part of the ecosystem works alone — they all **rely on each other** to create a thriving Esports environment.

### The Esports Ecosystem Flow (Simplified)
  
| Flow | Interaction |
| ------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Game Publishers → Tournaments | Publishers control IP and often fund/approve tournaments |
| Tournaments → Players/Teams | Provide structured competitions where skill is showcased |
| Players/Teams → Fans | Build excitement, loyalty, and narratives |
| Fans → Streaming Platforms | Watch and support favourite teams or creators |
| Streaming Platforms → Sponsors | Attract brands through high viewership |
| ↑ Support Roles | Coaching, content, analytics, health, logistics all support the system |
  
Each component generates opportunities for businesses, careers, and collaboration — and each influences how the industry evolves.

  

## Key Industry Sectors

Let’s break down the major components of the Esports ecosystem — who’s involved and what they do.

  

### 1. Game Publishers

These are the companies that **develop and own the games** being played. They have full control over competitive rules, licensing, tournament permissions, and monetisation.

#### Major Publishers in Esports:
  
| Publisher | Key Esports Titles |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------- |
| **Riot Games** | *League of Legends*, *Valorant* |
| **Valve** | *Counter-Strike 2*, *Dota 2* |
| **Activision Blizzard** | *Call of Duty*, *Overwatch* |
| **Epic Games** | *Fortnite* |
| **Electronic Arts (EA)** | *FIFA*, *Apex Legends* |
  
**Fun Fact:** Riot Games directly runs most *League of Legends* tournaments globally — including the famous **World Championship** that draws millions of viewers annually.

  

### 2. Tournaments and Leagues

This is where **competitive Esports happens**. Tournaments provide structure for players and teams to prove their skill and earn recognition (and money).

#### Types of Events:

* **Open Tournaments** – Anyone can enter (e.g. *Fortnite* FNCS)
* **League Systems** – Teams qualify or are invited (e.g. *LCS*, *VCT*)
* **Franchise Leagues** – Teams buy permanent slots (e.g. *Call of Duty League*, *Overwatch League*)

#### Example Organisations:

* **ESL FACEIT Group** – One of the largest tournament organisers globally
* **Blast Premier** – Known for high-production CS2 events
* **DreamHack** – Hosts massive LAN festivals with tournaments

  

### 3. Broadcasting and Streaming Platforms

Broadcasting is how Esports reaches fans. This part of the ecosystem focuses on **viewership, commentary, and production**.

#### Key Platforms:

* **Twitch** – Industry leader in live Esports and game streaming
* **YouTube Gaming** – Competitor with major rights deals
* **Kick**, **Facebook Gaming**, **Trovo** – Alternative platforms growing in popularity

#### Broadcast Roles:

* **Shoutcasters** – Provide live commentary and hype
* **Observers** – Control the in-game camera
* **Producers/Directors** – Manage the stream’s visual experience

**Fun Fact:** In 2022, over **1.5 billion hours** of Esports content were watched globally.

  

### 4. Coaching, Analytics, and Support

As Esports matures, the **support ecosystem** has grown. These services improve performance and wellbeing — just like in traditional sports.
  
| Role | Function |
| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Coach** | Helps players with strategy, synergy, and mental prep |
| **Analyst** | Reviews gameplay data for improvement |
| **Wellbeing Officer** | Supports mental health and team morale |
| **Technical Staff** | Sets up hardware, software, and stream tools |
  
> Example: Top-tier teams like **Team Liquid** or **Fnatic** often have entire backroom staff including analysts, psychologists, and dieticians.

  

### 5. Brand Partnerships and Merchandising

Sponsors and merchandise are **vital for funding** in Esports. Many teams earn more from brand deals than prize money.

#### Common Sponsors:

* **Hardware** – Logitech, Razer, SteelSeries
* **Food/Drink** – Red Bull, Monster Energy, G Fuel
* **Clothing** – Nike, Adidas
* **Tech/Apps** – Discord, Samsung, CashApp

Teams also launch:

* Jerseys and apparel
* Digital merch (overlays, NFTs)
* Lifestyle content to grow audiences

**Case Study:** *100 Thieves* combined fashion, content creation, and competition to become one of the most valuable Esports orgs globally.

  

## How the UK Fits In

While the UK isn't the biggest global Esports hub, it has **rapidly growing organisations, academic programmes**, and **grassroots leagues**.

  

### British Esports Federation

A national not-for-profit that champions grassroots Esports. It:

* Runs the **Student Champs** league for UK schools and colleges
* Advocates for Esports careers in education
* Hosts live events, panels, and community initiatives

[Visit: britishesports.org](https://britishesports.org)

  

### NUEL (National University Esports League)

NUEL organises weekly tournaments for university students across the UK.

* Games include *Valorant*, *League of Legends*, *CS2*, and more
* Offers career support in media, casting, and management
* Promotes inter-university rivalries and social Esports

[Visit: nuel.gg](https://nuel.gg)

  

### NSE (National Student Esports)

The UK’s official university Esports body (partnered with BUCS). NSE:

* Runs the British University Esports Championship
* Partners with major sponsors for prizes and internships
* Champions diversity and inclusion in Esports

[Visit: nse.gg](https://nse.gg)

  

### UK Tournaments and Events

* **Epic.LAN** – Long-running LAN parties with community tournaments
* **Insomnia Gaming Festival** – UK’s biggest gaming expo with Esports stages
* **London Esports** – A UK-based org with local and national reach

  

## Final Thoughts

The Esports ecosystem is much more than just playing games:

* Publishers own the titles
* Tournaments give structure
* Streamers and broadcasters share the experience
* Fans drive viewership and support
* Sponsors and support teams fund and enable the action

Understanding these connections is key to entering the industry, starting your own project, or finding a career that fits your strengths.

  

## Useful Resources

* [British Esports Federation](https://britishesports.org)
* [NSE – National Student Esports](https://nse.gg)
* [NUEL – National University Esports League](https://nuel.gg)
* [Esports Charts – Global Stats](https://escharts.com)
* [Esports Insider – Business News](https://esportsinsider.com)