Commonwealth Games chiefs CONFIRM esports will be included as a pilot during Birmingham 2022 – and gaming could be a medal event at Games in 2026 to target younger market
- As part of the pilot event, no medals will be earned at the Birmingham Games
- The event will be branded as the Commonwealth Esport Championships
- If successful it could have leverage to be a medal discipline by the 2026 Games
- Gaming genre has been met with cynicism, but aims to attract young audiences
The Commonwealth Games Federation have confirmed esports will be included as a pilot event during Birmingham 2022.
Sportsmail revealed on Tuesday that the contentious move will serve as a trial to determine if esports can become a fully-fledged medal sport at the Commonwealth Games from 2026.
While the plans will be met with opposition from traditionalists, the CGF are keen to tap into a younger market by utilising the rapidly-growing $1billion gaming industry.
The gaming industry under the name of esports will be piloted at the Commonwealth Games
‘Esports is continuing to grow dramatically in terms of popularity and participation, particularly amongst young people, and we are continuing to look at ways to explore how it can align with the Commonwealth Sports Movement,’ said CGF president Dame Louise Martin on Wednesday.
‘This will allow us to review the long-term relationship between the Commonwealth Games and esports as we continue to evolve and explore future editions of our event and what they could look like.’
As detailed by Sportsmail, the Birmingham pilot will be branded as the Commonwealth Esport Championships and will run alongside the Games in August. It will have separate branding, medals and organisation.
Video gamers though could be earning Commonwealth Games medals by 2026
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