How to Create and Deliver Amazing Esports Events in 2024

Esports is a fast-growing and dynamic industry that has attracted a lot of attention and investment in recent years. However, it is also facing many challenges and uncertainties, especially in the wake of the pandemic. One of the key components of the esports ecosystem is the events sector, which provides entertainment, engagement, and exposure for the players, teams, fans, sponsors, and organizers. However, esports events also face various challenges and opportunities in the current and post-pandemic context, such as the impact of COVID-19, the increasing competition and saturation of the market, the changing preferences and expectations of the audience, and the innovation and adaptation of the events to the new reality.

As an esports entrepreneur, I have a strong passion for esports and gaming, and I want to be part of a vibrant and supportive community. I also want to enjoy high-quality and memorable events that reflect the value and potential of the industry. However, I also have some concerns and frustrations about the current state and future of the events. I feel that the events are not meeting my expectations and needs, and I feel disappointed and disillusioned by the people who are responsible for creating and delivering the events. I feel that the events are becoming more expensive, less diverse, and less fun, and that they are losing their appeal and value compared to other options, such as staying at home, school, or work.

However, I also want to offer a different perspective, and perhaps some hope and encouragement. Esports is a relatively young and evolving industry, and it is not easy to organize and run successful and profitable events. There may be many factors and constraints that affect the decisions and actions of the event organizers, and they may not be intentionally exploiting or neglecting the community, but rather trying to survive and adapt in a competitive and volatile market. They may also have different visions and goals for the industry, and they may not always align with mine or the community's.

That being said, I also believe that there are many opportunities and possibilities for improvement and innovation in the esports industry, especially in the events sector. I have the power and potential to make a positive difference and impact in the industry and the community. I can use my creativity, skills, and network to create and deliver events that meet my standards and values, and that provide value and satisfaction to the audience. I can also collaborate and communicate with other esports professionals and stakeholders, and share my feedback and ideas on how to improve and enhance the esports events experience. I can also learn from the best practices and examples of other successful and innovative esports events, both online and offline, and see how they overcome the challenges and leverage the opportunities in the market.

In this blog post, I will share some of my thoughts and insights on how to create and deliver amazing esports events in 2024, based on the information and research I have gathered from various sources, such as BCG, Forbes, The Guardian, NDTV, and the Esports Business Network. I will also share some of my own experiences and opinions as an esports entrepreneur and fan. I hope you find this blog post helpful and interesting, and I welcome your comments and feedback.

Esports Events Types and Formats

Esports events can be divided into three types: online, offline, and hybrid. Online events are conducted entirely through digital platforms, such as Twitch or YouTube. Offline events are held in physical venues, such as stadiums or arenas. Hybrid events combine both online and offline elements, such as having online qualifiers and offline finals.

Each type of event has its own advantages and disadvantages, and they may suit different purposes and audiences. Online events are more accessible, convenient, and affordable for both the organizers and the viewers, as they do not require travel, accommodation, or tickets. However, online events may also lack the social and emotional aspects of offline events, such as the atmosphere, the interaction, and the immersion. Offline events are more immersive, engaging, and memorable for both the participants and the spectators, as they provide a sense of presence, excitement, and community. However, offline events may also be more costly, risky, and challenging for both the organizers and the viewers, as they require more resources, logistics, and safety measures. Hybrid events are a compromise between online and offline events, as they try to balance the benefits and drawbacks of both formats. However, hybrid events may also face some difficulties in integrating and coordinating the online and offline components, such as the quality, the consistency, and the synchronization.

Therefore, when creating and delivering esports events, it is important to consider the type and format of the event, and how it fits the goals and needs of the organizers, the participants, and the audience. It is also important to be flexible and adaptable, and to be ready to switch or modify the type and format of the event according to the changing circumstances and conditions, such as the pandemic, the market, or the technology.

Esports Events Challenges and Opportunities

Esports events face various challenges and opportunities in the current and post-pandemic context, and they may affect the type and format of the event, as well as the quality and value of the event. Some of the challenges include:

- The impact of COVID-19 on the feasibility and safety of offline events, which may result in cancellations, postponements, or reduced attendance . For example, the 2020 League of Legends World Championship, which was supposed to be held in China, had to be moved to a single city and venue, and had limited live audience. The 2020 Dota 2 The International, which was supposed to be held in Sweden, had to be postponed indefinitely.

- The increasing competition and saturation of the esports market, which may lead to lower returns and higher costs for event organizers . For example, the 2020 Overwatch League, which had planned to have a global and local format, had to switch to an online-only format, and faced declining viewership and sponsorship. The 2020 Call of Duty League, which had also planned to have a global and local format, had to switch to an online-only format, and faced technical issues and controversies.

- The changing preferences and expectations of the esports audience, who may demand more variety, quality, and value from the events they watch or attend . For example, the 2020 Fortnite World Cup, which was supposed to be held in New York, had to be cancelled, and instead, Epic Games offered a series of online events with different formats and prizes. The 2020 PUBG Global Series, which was supposed to have four offline events, had to be replaced by a series of online regional events with different formats and prizes.

Some of the opportunities include:

- The innovation and adaptation of esports events to the new reality, such as using new technologies, formats, and platforms to enhance the online and hybrid experience . For example, the 2020 League of Legends World Championship used augmented reality and holograms to create a virtual stage and audience, and to showcase the opening ceremony and the musical performance. The 2020 Dota 2 The International used a crowdfunding model to raise the prize pool to a record-breaking $40 million, and to engage the fans and the community.

- The expansion and diversification of the esports audience, who may be attracted by the accessibility, convenience, and affordability of online and hybrid events. For example, the 2020 Chess.com PogChamps, which was an online chess tournament featuring popular streamers and celebrities, attracted over 63 million views and reached a new and wider audience for chess. The 2020 Twitch Rivals Streamer Bowl, which was an online Fortnite tournament featuring popular streamers and NFL players, attracted over 1 million views and reached a new and wider audience for Fortnite.

- The collaboration and integration of esports events with other sectors, such as traditional sports, entertainment, education, and tourism, to create new synergies and value propositions . For example, the 2020 F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix Series, which was an online racing tournament featuring F1 drivers and celebrities, was broadcasted on TV and online platforms, and generated over 30 million views and increased the exposure and interest for F1. The 2020 Minecraft Education Global Build Championship, which was an online building contest for students and educators, was supported by Microsoft and Mojang, and promoted the use of Minecraft as a learning and teaching tool.

Therefore, when creating and delivering esports events, it is important to be aware of the challenges and opportunities that exist in the market, and to adapt the strategies and offerings accordingly. It is also important to be innovative and creative, and to use the available technologies, formats, and platforms to enhance the esports events experience. It is also important to be collaborative and integrative, and to work with other sectors and stakeholders to create new value and benefits for the esports industry and the community.

Esports Events Tips and Tricks

Based on my own experiences and opinions as an esports entrepreneur and fan, I would like to share some tips and tricks on how to create and deliver amazing esports events in 2024. These are not definitive or comprehensive, but rather some suggestions and recommendations that may help you in your esports events journey.

- Know your audience: The esports audience is not a homogeneous group, but rather a diverse and segmented group, with different preferences, expectations, and behaviors

- Know your audience: The esports audience is not a homogeneous group, but rather a diverse and segmented group, with different preferences, expectations, and behaviors. Therefore, it is important to know your target audience, and to tailor your event to their needs and wants. You can use various methods and tools to research and analyze your audience, such as surveys, interviews, analytics, and feedback. You can also use various strategies and techniques to segment and target your audience, such as demographics, psychographics, behavior, and location. You can also use various ways and channels to communicate and interact with your audience, such as social media, email, chat, and forums. By knowing your audience, you can create and deliver events that are relevant, appealing, and satisfying to them.

- Know your competitors: The esports market is not a monopoly, but rather a competitive and crowded market, with many players and stakeholders. Therefore, it is important to know your competitors, and to differentiate your event from them. You can use various methods and tools to monitor and evaluate your competitors, such as benchmarks, reviews, ratings, and reports. You can also use various strategies and techniques to position and distinguish your event from them, such as branding, pricing, quality, and value. You can also use various ways and channels to promote and advertise your event to them, such as media, influencers, partners, and sponsors. By knowing your competitors, you can create and deliver events that are unique, superior, and attractive to them.

- Know your goals: The esports industry is not a hobby, but rather a business and a career. Therefore, it is important to know your goals, and to measure your event's performance and impact. You can use various methods and tools to set and track your goals, such as SMART, OKR, KPI, and ROI. You can also use various strategies and techniques to achieve and optimize your goals, such as planning, budgeting, testing, and iterating. You can also use various ways and channels to report and share your goals and results, such as dashboards, reports, presentations, and stories. By knowing your goals, you can create and deliver events that are effective, efficient, and valuable to you and your stakeholders.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post, and I hope you learned something new and useful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. I would love to hear from you and to continue this conversation. Thank you for your time and attention, and I hope to see you at the next esports event. 😊

Esports Business Network