Esports Evolves: The Future Landscape of UK Esports
In the dynamic world of esports, change is the only constant. As we look at the shifting tides, it becomes clear that the UK esports scene is navigating through a period of profound transformation. Collaborating with betting partner GGBET UK, Esports News UK has published a series of in-depth articles examining these shifts. Dom Sacco’s final piece takes us on a journey through the future prospects of UK esports in five major games.
Grassroots and Collegiate Esports: The New Pillars
The recent closure of the Insomnia Gaming Festival has left ripples across multiple grassroots esports scenes. Yet, hope is far from lost as events like Epic.LAN and LANcraft continue to offer LAN opportunities, ensuring the grassroots spirit remains alive. The electoral change in 2024 brought Labour into power, with Lisa Nandy stepping in as the new Culture Secretary. This political shift has had its share of impacts, notably the significant loss of members from the Video Games and Esports All-Party Parliamentary Group.
Competitive esports in the UK thrives particularly at the collegiate level, buoyed by organizations like National Student Esports (NSE) and University Esports. Valorant, one of the front-running titles, has announced changes for its Challengers esports series in 2025, sparking significant anticipations.
Valorant: UK Talent Shines
The UK continues to produce vibrant talent in games such as Valorant. The notable signings of UK player Benjyfishy by Heretics, the coaching duo of neilzinho and weber in the same team, and the involvement of players like Keiko and Mistic in Team Liquid highlight the region's strong presence. Additionally, Scottish coach DrewSpark's role in Sentinels further underscores the UK's contribution to global teams. Theo ‘Ticey’ Cranshaw and Ross ‘aNguiSt’ Pendleton’s performances with Polaris and CGN Esports respectively also shine brighter on the horizon.
League of Legends: A Mixed Bag
The UK League of Legends scene has had its share of ups and downs. The UKEL national league's return has been a positive development, offering a breeding ground for local talent. Major global events such as the MSI at the Copper Box Arena and the LoL Worlds finals at the O2 in London have highlighted the UK's potential as a major esports hub. Yet, the future remains uncertain. As Greggers, a UK ADC, noted, "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." His sentiments are echoed by fans and professionals within the community.
CSGO and Beyond: New Beginnings
The launch of CS2 and the qualifications of UK organizations Viperio and Into The Breach for the Blast Paris Major European RMR signal positive strides. The remarkable run of Into the Breach to the top eight in CSGO’s last major also stands out. Despite the closure of the ESL Premiership for the UK and Ireland, platforms like the UK & Ireland Circuit (UKIC) and Epic.LAN continue to support aspiring teams. The recent Blast Premier Spring Final in London was another testament to the city’s growing esports enthusiasm. Into the Breach’s new 2024 roster, featuring UK personality smooya, further cements this progress.
Dota 2 and Call of Duty: A Tale of Two Scenes
The Dota 2 scene in the UK, led by teams like Tundra Esports who regularly compete in top events, remains robust. UK casters like ODPixel share the hope for continuity and annual engagements, with ESL One Birmingham being a notable event. "All the ESL One Birmingham’s have been amazing, the crowds have been amazing. I hope this continues to be a yearly thing," he affirmed.
On the flip side, the Call of Duty scene faces headwinds. Jacob Hale's reflection underscores this sentiment, "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." This, coupled with the League’s focus on North America, has dented local enthusiasm. The closure of the Middlesbrough venue after hosting a LAN event has further compounded these challenges.
Community and Commentary
The importance of community in shaping the future of UK esports cannot be overstated. This was aptly highlighted by Synygy of the UKEL, stating, "What I’d like to see more of is the community realizing the power they have in making the scene succeed." The synergy between foundational culture and esports is another aspect echoing across the community, as noted by Alex Lyndon from Staffordshire University. “I am a big fan of the likes of Ruddy etc capitalizing on UK/London culture in their content and marketing,” he said.
The evolving landscape indeed stirs a cocktail of anticipation and uncertainty. However, the strong sense of community, burgeoning talent, and the resilience of local tournaments and events underscore a brighter horizon for the UK's esports scene.