by the British Esports Federation

What started out in bedrooms and halls full of computers has gone on to become a billion-dollar industry.

Esports (or electronic sports) is the act of playing video games competitively to spectators, either online or in-person.

For years it has bubbled underground, with small amateur tournaments offering PC equipment as prizes, but now it has plenty of professional gamers making a living out of playing at the highest level, in games like League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Rocket League and more. 

Beyond this, it’s really starting to hit the mainstream. The Esports Nations Cup will take place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2026: a multi-game country-based esports tournament hosted by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF). The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also announced that the inaugural Olympic Esports Games will be held in 2027 in Saudi Arabia. Great Britain and other nations will compete in these exciting new tournaments. 

Elsewhere, two Esports World Cup events have now taken place in Saudi Arabia, with the 2025 edition boasting an overall record-breaking prize pool of $70m across multiple games and competitions. That’s not to mention the existing major tournaments and world championships, with the most-skilled gamers doing battle on the biggest of stages.

But esports isn’t just about the pro level. Like traditional sports, there are multiple tiers, including grassroots tournaments and community activities, offering many opportunities and benefits to schools.

The student champions making history
The British Esports Student Champs allows students aged 12+ to represent their secondary schools, further education colleges and alternative provision schools across the UK to compete with one another. 

This is the largest amateur grassroots esports tournament for students, and features age-appropriate games including League of Legends, Rocket League, VALORANT and Overwatch 2, plus multiple tiers for students of all ages and abilities, as well as inclusive tournaments for women and marginalised genders. 

The Student Champs is organised by the British Esports Federation, the UK’s national body that has recently partnered with ASCL to boost esports opportunities for young people. British Esports will be helping ASCL members access a wide range of support and guidance. 

Almost 200 institutions compete in the Student Champs today, with more than 1,250 teams and 6,000 students taking part each year. An annual live grand final takes place each summer, giving those students who qualify a chance to showcase their talents live on stage. 

Esports engages a wider demographic of young people and offers an inclusive environment that some traditional sports and games can’t, or don’t, offer. For example, British Esports previously teamed up with National Star College, a specialist FE College for young people with a range of additional physical and learning needs, for a series of esports tournaments, with a showmatch at the annual Student Champs finals.

Esports skills and qualifications
Esports is about more than just competition. Participation in team-based tournaments also allows students to develop a range of transferable skills such as teamwork, leadership communication and problem solving, as well as future-ready digital and STEM-based skills. Representing their school or college in the Champs can also count towards the Skill Section of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. It also allows students to make friends, have fun and enjoy themselves doing something they love.

Like sports, the esports industry requires professionals including commentators, marketers, broadcast producers, coaches, reporters, video creators and social media managers to name a few. There are now a range of qualifications to give students the digital skills and knowledge to thrive within these roles.

More than 15,000 young people have studied the Level 2 and Level 3 Esports BTECs developed by British Esports in partnership with Pearson. British Esports has also partnered with the Leadership Skills Foundation to deliver Level 1 and Level 2 esports leadership qualifications for those aged 11+, allowing younger people to take their initial steps onto the esports career pathway. There are also coaching and safeguarding courses available for teachers and responsible adults, developed in partnership with organisations like UK Coaching, NSPCC, UNICEF UK and the National Crime Agency.

How to get involved in esports
Find out how your students can benefit from esports, including how they can field a team in the British Esports Student Champs in January 2026, by registering for Esports in Education: What you need to know that your students know already, our webinar exclusively for ASCL members at 3.45pm on Thursday 13 November 2025.

You can also contact British Esports or set up a meeting via education@britishesports.org