Esports, the world of competitive video gaming, has been steadily gaining popularity in all sports, especially soccer. What started out as a niche side of gaming has skyrocketed into a global movement with fans, players, and clubs supporting the virtual pitch. As professional soccer teams build their own esports games and legendary players like Lionel Messi get in on the action, soccer is transforming into the digital age. Whether it’s implementing high-tech VAR in live games or the creation of fantasy football leagues, soccer has always had a way of evolving with the times. 

If you’re a soccer fan who’s new to the world of gaming, esports may seem very underwhelming. When you’re used to the roar of the crowd, the electric energy of a stadium, and witnessing your favourite players perform live, the idea of competitive video games might not seem like a comparable experience. But believe us when we say that esports in soccer is one of the best fan experiences there is, changing the way we play, watch, and love the beautiful game. Whether you’re a die-hard soccer fan, casual gamer, or just curious about the rise of esports, keep reading for everything you need to know!

What is Esports in Soccer?

To put it plainly, esports in soccer is just like real-world soccer, only it’s played in the digital world. Esports in soccer refers to competitive video gaming centered around soccer simulations, most popularly EA FC (formerly FIFA), Football Manager, and more recent titles like Goals. The same as in real life, players compete for clubs, rise through the ranks, win their team trophies, and represent their nations on a global stage. The only difference is that everything happens digitally through a screen and with a controller. Despite this being a virtual experience, professional players still train for hours a day just like any real-life athlete would. 

Major clubs like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain also have official esports teams that they represent. Even governing bodies like FIFA and UEFA host esports tournaments like the ePremier League and the FIFAe Nations Cup, which mirror the structure of actual leagues. Despite video games often being associated with fun kid’s games, esports isn’t all fun and games. This is a professional competition where players train with coaches and even travel internationally. The matches are streamed online and watched by millions of fans and winners even take home major cash prizes.

The Impact of COVID-19

When the pandemic happened, the gradual rise of esports in soccer reached new heights. When live sports were suddenly put on hold and stadiums were no longer open to the public, fans around the world were desperate to keep the game alive. With everyone stuck social distancing, making it impossible to play a real-life game, virtual competitions became all the craze.

Events like the ePremier League featured real-life professional players like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota. The matches were streamed online, offering fans the source of entertainment they were missing. Fans who never paid attention to esports before started cheering on goals virtually. One of the most difficult situations we’ve faced ended up showing us just how powerful esports can be – and it’s been on the rise ever since.

Real-Life vs. Virtual Soccer

You may be asking yourself, now that the pandemic is over, why would I bother with esports at all when I can have the real thing? The rise of soccer esports isn’t just a trend, the sport has been evolving since modern technology and in some cases, it's how some fans prefer to experience the sport today. Streaming, gaming and social media have transformed the ways fans can connect with their favourite clubs and players. Esports allow fans to feel closer than ever before. While nothing can truly replace the magic of a real soccer match, in some ways esports can be viewed as better than traditional soccer. 

First of all, anyone can play esports with minimal equipment. Traditional soccer isn’t accessible to everyone and requires fields, teams, and equipment to reach a professional level. When it comes to esports, all you need to play is a console, controller and motivation to improve your game. 

Secondly, esports allow for global connection 24/7 and aren’t limited by geography, weather, or time zones. You can watch a tournament in Canada, play a match against someone in Argentina, and join a streamer in London, all on the same day. This is just not possible with real-life soccer. 

Also in esports, players and fans are brought closer than ever before. You aren’t separated by a stadium crowd with no hope of being noticed by them, you’re just a screen away. Professional gamers stream on Twitch, interact on socials and even play friendly matches with fans. 

It's also important to note that despite how exciting and fast-paced real-life soccer matches can be, esports is even faster and more efficient to watch and play. There are no injuries, weather delays, or constant VAR checks getting in the way of the game. As a result, games are shorter and more action-packed than the real thing for fans who love the intensity but hate the hold-ups.

The Future of Soccer Esports

It may seem like esports has gone as far as it can go, but we truly believe this is just the beginning. As technology advances, the limits of what esports can do is endless. In the next few years, experts predict we’ll likely see the virtual side of soccer become just as important as the real thing. For starters, imagine a world where every major soccer league like the MLS or Premier League has an official digital version to go along with the real matches. They could take it even further by doing more than just one-off tournaments and having full seasons with standings just like real-life leagues. 

We’ve already witnessed esports tournaments fill arenas in games, so imagine watching a live FIFAe World Cup inside a real stadium like Old Trafford with fans cheering for their favourite gamers. With Virtual Reality evolving every day, soon we might be able to step into esports games and feel like we’re actually on the pitch. The limits are endless, and we can’t wait to see what the new generation of esports will bring!

So, the next time you’re waiting for a real-life match to start or you simply want to explore the new digital age of soccer, give esports a try! When you step into the world of esports, you’re joining a whole new community of die-hard soccer fans who live and breathe the beautiful game as much as you do!