Esports in the UK: Dynamic Shifts and Future Prospects
In recent years, the landscape of UK esports has witnessed significant changes, marked by exhilarating highs and some notable setbacks. These dynamic shifts are shaping the future of the industry and offering a glimpse into both challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The closure of the Insomnia Gaming Festival has sent ripples through the grassroots esports scenes. However, the continuity of events like Epic.LAN and LANcraft ensures that aspiring players still have platforms to showcase their talent. Additionally, the Video Games and Esports All-Party Parliamentary Group saw a reduction in members post-2024 elections, alongside the government change bringing Labour into power with Lisa Nandy as the new culture secretary.
The collegiate esports scene remains vibrant, with organizations such as NSE and University Esports fostering talent across universities. Valorant Challengers esports is set for changes in 2025, and notable moves have already begun: Heretics signed UK player Benjyfishy and is also guided by UK coaching duo neilzinho and weber. Team Liquid boasts UK talents Keiko and Mistic, while DrewSpark continues to make waves as a Scottish coach with Sentinels.
Valorant's future looks thrilling with Polaris' Theo ‘Ticey’ Cranshaw emerging as a promising player and CGN Esports' Ross ‘aNguiSt’ Pendleton leading a strong charge in the DACH Evolution VCL. Meanwhile, the British Esports Student Champs 2024 finals highlighted burgeoning talent with Burnley Bees facing CONEL, contributing to the growing competitive spirit among students. Rumors suggest a potential shift toward national leagues in Valorant for the Northern Europe scene.
Major global events in League of Legends have marked London's vibrant esports calendar, with MSI held at the Copper Box Arena and the LoL Worlds finals at the O2. The return of the UKEL (UK national league for League of Legends) is a positive sign of revival. However, there are concerns about the formative leagues in the region. "Personally I think UK LoL is going to completely die out, with the only thing left being grassroots and fun tournaments. There needs to be a massive change in funding at the top level," said Greggers, a UK ADC, underlining the urgency for financial intervention.
Counter-Strike also remains a powerhouse in the UK esports scene. CS2's launch saw UK organizations Viperio and Into The Breach qualifying for the Blast Paris Major European RMR. Notably, Into the Breach reached the top eight at CSGO’s last major, and with UK personality smooya rounding out their 2024 roster, there is optimism around their continued success. Unfortunately, the closure of the ESL Premiership for the UK and Ireland threw a wrench in the ecosystem, but UKIC and Epic.LAN continue to organize pivotal LAN events, ensuring a steady competitive calendar. London hosted the Blast Premier Spring Final, reinforcing the city's role in international esports.
Dota 2 enthusiasts in the UK have much to celebrate, with Tundra Esports regularly participating in top-tier events and notable participations such as OG’s Ari in ESL One Birmingham. UK caster Gareth commented on the shifting landscape, particularly with the end of the DPC. He emphasized the need for a stable prize pool distribution rather than a single event dominating the calendar. "The $40m pool was good for headlines and showing off, but for stability and having the scene continue, it’s not ideal to have one event that’s 99% of the prize pool for the year," he remarked.
The Call of Duty scene, however, is grappling with a decline in national representation and events. Jacob Hale painted a stark picture: “It’s not easy for UK CoD fans to feel optimistic right now. There is a dwindling number of national players competing at the top level.” The lack of UK-based events for Call of Duty, compounded by venue closures like the one in Middlesbrough, further undermines the scene despite its popularity in the country.
Riot's commitment to the UK market has been evident with their international events and consistent support for the ecosystem. Synygy of the UKEL envisions a pronounced increase in Riot's presence: "Expect to see more and more events happening in the UK... and continued direct support for our ecosystem." However, the road ahead will require communal effort and strategic funding to ensure sustainable growth.
The overarching sentiment among many in the industry is a mix of cautious optimism and wariness. As Lee Routly, a freelance producer, and former associate producer of the UKLC, noted, "I hope to see the UK League return to the UK and see it once again given the space to grow." Kieran Holmes-Darby, co-founder of Excel Esports, echoes this desire for growth with a call to "bring back Forge of Champions across UK and Ireland."
The UK’s esports scene, while navigating difficult terrain, holds tremendous potential. If strategic investments and community support align harmoniously, these small islands could become a significant hub in the global esports arena.