eSports
5 Key Similarities Between Esports Players and Traditional Sports Players
Whether you’ve been a dedicated gamer for years or simply enjoy casual sessions in your free time, you’ve no doubt heard of Esports. One of the biggest sectors shaking up the gaming industry in recent years, Esports is a form of competitive gaming that sees professional players compete against opponents either individually, or in teams.
As Esports grows in popularity, many have begun to consider whether the activity should actually be considered a ‘sport’, as its name suggests. One fact that supports this argument is the similarities between Esports players and athletes that compete in more conventional leagues such as the NFL, NBA, or EFL. Although it may seem like these two parties have little in common, this is not the case. From the way they train, to the fanbase surrounding them, both Esports competitors and their traditional athletic counterparts share many qualities. In this article we take a look at some of the biggest similarities between the two. Who knows – after reading this you may be persuaded to take Esports more seriously.
Intense Training Regimes are the Norm
We’ve all heard of the phrase, ‘practice makes perfect’ and this could not be truer in the world of sports. All athletes, whether amateur or professional, can’t compete to the best of their ability if they have not spent adequate time on the practice field. Just like regular sports players, Esports players must prepare themselves to perform competitively. The only real difference here lies in the manner in which the two types of athletes do so.
For example, basketball players normally hit the court multiple times a week, running through drills with their teammates and practicing certain plays. Physical exercises may include lunges, squats, and pullups, while weight training is also important. On the other hand, Esports players keep themselves busy by working on their reflexes and response times. Since many games are first-person shooter titles, Esports competitors must have elite hand eye coordination, and rapid finger movement. Although the way they train is focused on the development of distinct skill-sets, both athletic pursuits require a significant amount of practice.
Both Groups Compete with Fans Present
It’s no secret that fans are what drives much of the sports industry’s lucrative nature. When it comes to both Esports and traditional sports, massive audiences of loyal fans follow players to the ends of the earth. In fact, Esports tournaments are often held in huge, multi-purpose sports stadiums and see thousands of spectators cheering on their favorite players. Sports like hockey, football, and baseball also have annual competitions and seasonal games that sell out arenas around the world.
Additionally, betting is a common practice in both athletic fields, as fans take to virtual platforms to place wagers ahead of important match ups. Online sports betting for traditional sports is currently taking off in places like the U.S. as more lawmakers begin to legalize the activity in their states. This has caused more and more providers to pop up throughout the web, offering promotions such as risk-free bets to new and existing customers. Little is different in the world of Esports, as the growing number of premium leagues is leading to greater investment and spectator interest, causing the market to grow exponentially.
In the future, the rates of spectatorship in Esports are only expected to grow, causing a steady increase in the availability of betting platforms as well. One thing’s for certain – if you attend a live competition in either sport and close your eyes to hear only the fan’s cheers around you, both audiences are sure to deliver loud cries of support for the teams they support.
Communication is Crucial for Success
Like any team sport, communication is a hugely important factor that can either drive success or produce failure. In the same way that members of a football team are constantly communicating with their teammates out on the pitch, Esports competitors must embrace teamwork and speak verbally to each other throughout gameplay. This has resulted in the arrival of gaming jargon that is Esports-specific. For instance, a ‘carry’ refers to a player that is protected by the rest of their team with the intention of pulling a surprise attack on the opponent, while ‘man on’ is the call that one player makes to another to warn them that an opposing force is close by.
Likewise there is a wealth of jargon utilized in traditional leagues. In the NFL, any single game is packed full of specialist terms that players use to communicate the state of play. After all, when you’re in the heat of the moment trying to score a goal no one has time for long sentences.
An Esports announcer gets the crowd hyped up during a live tournament
Players Have Celebrity Status
As stated before, both groups are widely followed by fans around the world. This has caused them to retain celebrity status in their respective circles. Esports players are well-known on different streaming sites like Twitch which give them a platform to share their talent. Additionally, events like the annual Esports Awards bring further attention to those in the professional gaming scene.
Traditional sports stars have massive followings on social media and are recognized in public wherever they go. At live tournaments and games, Esports players are flooded with media attention and requests for photographs, as their fans just want a small opportunity to get up close and personal with the professional gamers they know and love. This is no different in traditional sports, as backstage passes and VIP seats are highly sought after.
Hefty Salaries and Endorsement Deals
Last but not least, Esports players and traditional sports players both take home considerably salaries. In fact, the monetary rewards for winning at Esports tournament actually rivals those of standard professional sports organizations. These prize pools are so large that pro gamers have the opportunity to double their yearly earnings with just one victory. In both sports, endorsements and sponsorships are the norm, as huge brands like BMW, Coca-Cola, Red Bull and many more look to invest.
So, there you have it. Perhaps now you can see how closely intertwined players of Esports and traditional sports really are, despite their surface-level differences.
Esportes Gaming Brasil, the owner of Onabet and Esportes da Sorte, is making its debut at the 58th Parintins Folklore Festival with an interactive project that blends cultural promotion, economic development, and social responsibility.
The brand becomes the first regulated betting operator to offer institutional support to the event, which welcomes around 120,000 visitors and generates BRL 184 million in local economic activity, according to the Amazonas State Government.
This cultural commitment comes on the back of Esportes Gaming Brasil sponsoring 31 São João festivals during June in 27 cities across the Northeast and Southeast regions. This initiative strengthens the brand’s strategy of connecting with the public through the appreciation of Brazilian cultural expressions.
Esportes da Sorte’s focus was creating memorable experiences as each event featured scenography by Pernambucan artist Perron Ramos. Another notable element was the Vila Junina (June Village), a themed area blending traditional elements with interactive experiences. Classic games such as Pescaria da Sorte (Fishing of Fortune), Barraca do Beijo (Kissing Booth), and Argola da Sorte (Ring Toss) bring nostalgia to the festivities.
For the three-day Parintins Folklore Festival starting today, the brand will be energising Parintins with a series of experiences celebrating local culture. These include a panoramic lounge with a special view of the Bumbódromo, the Truck da Sorte — a space combining karaoke and free hydration — as well as a Social Arena installed in the Garantido and Caprichoso neighborhoods, featuring artistic performances, rest areas, free water distribution, and Instagram-worthy spots. Festivalgoers will also be able to get their hands on custom giveaways throughout the festival. All elements of the visual project are inspired by Amazonian art. The graphics feature illustrations by Curumiz, a Parintins-based duo formed by Alziney Pereira and Kemerson Freitas.
Sofia Aldin, CMO of Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group behind the brand commented: “Esportes Gaming Brasil cares passionately about regional values and strengthening Brazilian popular culture. It’s more than simply showcasing our brand, we want to create value for the people who live for events like the Parintins Folklore Festival and the São João festivals. Being part of these events backs our strategy of supporting traditions that drive local economies and celebrate regional identities.”
BETBY, a leading sportsbook supplier, has announced a new partnership with prominent LATAM-focused esports provider Mobadoo, in a move that will see its Betby.Games portfolio fully integrated into Mobadoo’s product lineup.
This collaboration enables Mobadoo — which has an established presence and deep market understanding across Latin America — to incorporate BETBY’s proprietary and award-winning esports offering, delivering dynamic and fast-paced betting content to its growing user base. Among Betby.Games’ titles are eSoccer, eBasketball, eFighting, eCricket, eShooter, eHorse Racing, eTennis, and the Brazil-relevant eVaquejada.
As one of the most comprehensive and high-frequency esports betting solutions in the industry, Betby.Games offers access to more than 70 tournaments, over 350 betting markets, and more than 300,000 live matches each month. This collaboration will not only enhance Mobadoo’s offering but also reinforce BETBY’s position as a leading esports supplier in the LATAM region, a key pillar in the supplier’s global expansion strategy.
“Mobadoo has an excellent reputation and strong regional expertise, making them an ideal partner for us. Their commitment to innovation in esports and the rapid growth of this vertical in the region made our partnership only a matter of time,” commented Kirill Nekrasov, BETBY’s Head of Sportsbook Product. “This agreement not only expands the reach of our unique Betby.Games content, but also aligns perfectly with our global strategy of delivering flexible, high-performance esports solutions to next-generation operators. Together, we’re set to further strengthen our leading position in the LATAM region.”
José Aníbal Aguirre, Chief Marketing Officer at Mobadoo, added: “We’re thrilled to integrate Betby.Games into our offering. The depth and quality of their esports content is unmatched, and this partnership gives us a powerful new edge in catering to LATAM’s passionate esports fanbase. With BETBY’s support, we’re confident we can elevate the player experience and unlock new growth opportunities across the region.”
Red Bull Home Ground, the pro VALORANT invitational, is set to make its return with a blockbuster fifth edition, bringing together the world’s top teams to New York City, for one of the most exciting showcases in the esports calendar. From November 13–16, the iconic Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center will host four electrifying days of competition, as global giants and rising stars fight to claim the title of 2025 off-season champions.
This year, Red Bull Home Ground will feature a stacked lineup of elite contenders. Returning champions T1 are ready to defend their crown, joined by two-time VCT Global Event winners Fnatic and fan-favourites G2 Esports, Sentinels, and ZETA DIVISION. Joining these giants will be the two top teams who earn their place through the Play-In Stage and an additional team to be revealed – a gauntlet of global qualifiers open to all in India, USA, Spain, Turkey, Chile, Egypt, Belgium, Germany, South Africa, Netherlands, Japan, and EMEA qualifiers, giving players around the world the chance to earn a spot to go against the best-of-the-best on the main stage. The final main stage slot will be revealed at a later date.
For the first time, the Red Bull Home Ground World Final will be hosted in the United States, taking place at the legendary Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. Known for its grand Beaux-Arts architecture and storied history hosting icons like The Grateful Dead and Guns N’ Roses, the venue offers a perfect blend of classic New York legacy and modern spectacle for this high-stakes tournament. The action kicks off on November 13-14, with both days dedicated exclusively to the Play-in stage and the opening stages of the competition. For fans eager to experience the action live, tickets for the public main stage event on November 15-16 are available for purchase via Ticketmaster.
At last year’s Red Bull Home Ground in Berlin, fans were treated to an unforgettable grand final as T1 stormed to victory over Cloud9, clinching the championship title with a dominant 3-1 series. With every edition, Red Bull Home Ground has elevated the VALORANT off-season calendar, known for its fast-paced format, jaw-dropping plays, and international flair. Red Bull Home Ground continues to be a staple tournament for pro teams looking to compete against the best competition and for fans ready to witness thrilling match-ups.
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