The UK esports scene is evolving rapidly, with both setbacks and promising developments shaping its future. In collaboration with betting partner GGBET UK, Esports News UK has delved into this ever-changing landscape. This latest article by Dom Sacco provides a comprehensive overview of the current and future prospects for UK esports, focusing on five major games.
The Impact of Insomnia Gaming Festival's Closure
The recent closure of the Insomnia Gaming Festival has left a noticeable void in the grassroots esports scene across several games. This event had been a cornerstone for many emerging talents and teams, providing them with a platform to showcase their skills. While this is a significant blow, other LAN events like Epic.LAN and LANcraft are still offering opportunities for competition. These events are crucial for maintaining a vibrant, competitive scene and fostering new talent.
Political Shifts and Their Influence
The political landscape has also seen changes that could impact esports. Labour came into power following the 2024 general election, with Lisa Nandy stepping in as the new culture secretary. The Video Games and Esports All-Party Parliamentary Group, however, lost several members after the election, which might affect the support and initiatives for the industry.
Valorant and Other Competitive Titles
Valorant continues to gain traction in the UK, with changes to its Challengers esports announced for 2025. Heretics recently signed UK player Benjyfishy and boasts a UK coaching duo of neilzinho and weber. Team Liquid features UK players Keiko and Mistic, while Scottish coach DrewSpark is part of Sentinels. Theo ‘Ticey’ Cranshaw has shown promise in Polaris, and Ross ‘aNguiSt’ Pendleton is making waves with CGN Esports in DACH Evolution VCL.
Rumors are circulating about the Northern Europe scene moving towards national leagues in Valorant. The British Esports Student Champs 2024 finals, featuring Burnley Bees and CONEL, highlighted the talent thriving at the collegiate level with the support of NSE and University Esports.
The State of League of Legends
Major global events in League of Legends have found a home in London, with MSI held at the Copper Box Arena and the LoL Worlds finals at the O2. The UKEL, the national league for League of Legends, has made a comeback, offering renewed hope for the UK LoL community.
Synygy of UKEL is optimistic, stating, "Expect to see more and more events happening in the UK... What I’d like to see more of is the community realizing the power they have in making the scene succeed." Meanwhile, Greggers, a UK ADC, expresses concerns, "Personally, I think UK LoL is going to completely die out... There needs to be a massive change in funding at the top level to make them viable across Europe."
The Scene for CS:GO and CS2
CS2 has launched, witnessing UK organizations Viperio and Into The Breach qualify for the Blast Paris Major European RMR. Into The Breach also reached the top eight at CSGO’s last major and finalized their 2024 roster, featuring UK personality smooya. However, the ESL Premiership for the UK and Ireland has closed down, underscoring the importance of events like the UK & Ireland Circuit (UKIC) and Epic.LAN for UK CS teams. The Blast Premier Spring Final also took place in London, further cementing the city's role in global esports events.
Dota 2 and Call of Duty
Dota 2 remains strong in the UK, with Tundra Esports regularly participating in top events. Notably, OG’s Ari took part in ESL One Birmingham, a landmark event that has consistently drawn enthusiastic crowds. ODPixel, a revered UK caster, commented, "All the ESL One Birminghams have been amazing... I hope we come back every year."
The Call of Duty scene, however, appears to be struggling. Despite Call of Duty being one of the most popular esports in the UK, its fans are finding it hard to stay optimistic. Jacob Hale points out, "It’s not easy for UK CoD fans to feel optimistic right now... It feels as unlikely as ever that those prayers will be fulfilled."
As the UK navigates these changes in its esports landscape, the resilience and passion of its community remain a beacon of hope. With ongoing developments and new opportunities on the horizon, the future of UK esports continues to unfold with both challenges and exciting potential.