The eSports industry has now, without doubt, established itself as a massive global industry with distinct appeal to fans and third-party companies, such as advertisers, alike. Now, the billion-dollar industry is still in its infancy and going through some growing pains, but as far as the outward-facing product goes, everything’s already in place.
Canada has been able to establish itself as a hub for the international eSports scene. Not only does the nation host several high-profile global and domestic tournaments, but its stars have been piling into the action, becoming owners of eSport team companies. Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Mitch Marner has joined musician The Weeknd in becoming owners of OverActive Media, who run Toronto teams in Overwatch and Call of Duty.
Now, Canada’s eSports industry is reaching the next tier of its existence, where it grows into a scene akin to other sports. More third-party involvement and better structure around the core property is coming, helping it grow into its potential.
An unsurprising rise to prominence in Canada
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The Great White North has a long-established gaming community, with the domestic industry contributing around $3.7bn to Canada’s GDP three years ago, with it continuing to grow in the years since. The accessibility of consoles, computers capable of playing the best games, and now mobiles has enabled Canadians all over to embrace their inner gamer, with over half of Canadians identifying as a gamer of some kind.
Canada’s first dedicated eSports gaming stadium was opened in 2019, establishing an official hub for competitive gamers in the country. The Gaming Stadium, situated in Richmond, British Columbia, stages many events and seats up to 2,500 live spectators. Just a year prior, the year after year record-breaker for an eSports prize pool, DOTA 2’s The International, was held in the Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
Source: Unsplash
In Canada, the most popular eSports games are Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, StarCraft II, Overwatch, and DOTA 2, with there being 19 teams alone on CS:GO. As for individuals, there are many more professional players earning on StarCraft II; however, it’s the 32 DOTA 2 players who stack up as the most successful bunch, at least in a monetary sense, with them combining for a mighty $9.4 million in earnings. Atop the standings for Canadians in earnings, Fly, Aui 2000, and Arteezy have earned between $1.92 million and $2.31 million.
A growing scene of eSports in Canada
Source: Pixabay
While the establishment of successful teams like Luminosity Gaming, the Vancouver Titans, and Team NP has been key to the growth of eSports in Canada, it’s the surrounding features that keep fans engaged and money coming into the industry. As you would assume, having quick and easy access to the competitions is key. Hosting the tournaments in the country always helps, but access to live streams at peoples’ convenience and other ways to engage are essential.
Twitch is now well-known as the go-to place for eSports, with over 1.5 million Canadians said to be watching eSports contests at least once per month now. With the industry growing, third parties are seeking ways to offer something to fans and players, which strengthens the scene as a whole. To meet the demand of the fans, several of the best Canadian betting sites for sports include their own in-depth eSports betting section. It enables viewers to engage with the live streams differently, giving them a more invested interest in a team or match.
Source: Unsplash
Along with the betting sites, several other third-parties are looking for ways that they can offer their services to help solidify the eSports industry for expansion. Another example is that of lawyers. Canadian law firm MKM Group is working to professionalize and formalize the sector by creating a standard for the rights of players, player contracts, as well as its standing in areas of existing Canadian law, such as advertising, marketing, privacy, and corporate law.
As more and more companies weigh-in to further establish and expand eSports, Canada will continue to grow in prominence as a hub of the industry.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
