What Is Esports?
Esports, also known as electronic sports, is a form of competition using video games. Most commonly, esports takes the form of organized, multiplayer video game competitions, particularly between professional players and teams. This international phenomenon has gained popularity with millions of fans who may attend live events or watch on TV or online.
Some of the current video games players compete in is League of Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, Super Smash Bros., Overwatch, Rocket League, and many more! The professional players who take part in esports can earn large brand endorsements.
Esports Viewership
According to Demandsage, the global esports audience reached 640.8 million in 2026. By 2030, the number is projected to reach 924.9 million. The worldwide spread of gaming and better streaming options has led to more people joining the esports community. The revenue of the global esports market is expected to reach $5.1 billion by the end of 2026.
Esports is a multi-billion-dollar market and only continues to show signs of increasing in value.
How Does Esports Work?
Competitive gaming follows a structure like traditional sports.
Players compete individually or on teams in organized matches governed by standardized rules. Teams practice together, develop strategies, analyze opponents, and compete in leagues or tournaments throughout a season.
Matches may take place:
- Online
- On school campuses
- During regional tournaments
- At national championships
- On international stages
Major competitions are streamed live through platforms like Twitch and YouTube, allowing fans worldwide to watch professional players compete. Since the games can be played online it allows people to play against opponents all over the world at ease!
Why Schools are Investing in Esports
Many K-12 schools and universities are increasingly accepting esports as more than gaming. From a high level, E-sports helps teach players about the technology they are using and helps them to become familiarized with the different programs and software that could be used in the future. E-sports are also beneficial to help increase student engagement in the classroom and to help students contribute to the culture of the institution. If students are engaged and actively contributing in school, it will also help students feel a sense of belonging within the community. Just like other sports, E-sports also builds leadership and requires teamwork skills.
What Technology does an Esports Program need?
A successful esports environment depends on reliable technology infrastructure. Schools and organizations should consider:
High-Performance Gaming PCs
- Modern competitive titles require powerful processors, dedicated graphics cards, fast memory, and SSD storage to maintain consistent frame rates.
Low-Latency Networking
- Even small amounts of network latency can affect competitive performance.
- Reliable wired Ethernet connections remain the preferred standard for competitive gaming.
Enterprise Wireless Infrastructure
- Supporting spectators, coaches, faculty, and student devices requires robust wireless coverage that complements—not replaces—a wired gaming network.
Gaming Displays
- High refresh-rate monitors (typically 144Hz to 240Hz) improve responsiveness and provide smoother gameplay.
Audio Equipment
- Quality headsets enable clear communication among teammates while reducing distractions.
How RTI Supports Educational Esports Programs
Launching a successful esports program requires more than powerful gaming computers. Schools also need secure networks, reliable infrastructure, device lifecycle management, deployment expertise, and responsive IT support.
RTI helps educational organizations design, deploy, and maintain the technology environments that modern esports programs depend on. From imaging and staging gaming PCs to managing networking infrastructure and ongoing support, RTI helps schools build scalable technology solutions that support both competitive gaming and broader educational goals.
Whether you’re launching a new esports lab or upgrading an existing technology environment, partnering with an experienced IT solutions provider can help ensure your investment delivers long-term value.
Date Posted: 12/28/18
Date Last Updated: 7/20/26
By: RTI Marketing Team
Riverside Technologies, Inc. (RTI) specializes in managed services, IT hardware, warehouse services, and technology deployment.
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