eSport er godt nok kommet for at blive, men selvom det langsomt men sikkert presser sig ind i populærkulturen, og overgår fra at være niche til mainstream, så er der stadig lang vej igen, dog ikke hvis man er en dreng i England.
British Esports Association har nemlig udgivet en ny, stor rapport, der fortæller at eSport officielt er den anden mest populære konkurrenceaktivitet at se for britiske drenge.
Undersøgelsen sker på basis af en rundspørge blandt 5000 unge, og her sagde en ud af fem at de dagligt ser eSport, og det betyder at det er mere populært end boksning, rugby og tennis. En ud af fem af drengene siger desuden at de forventer at eSport bliver større end traditionel sport, og en ud af hver tiende pige er enig.
Kids Insight-analytikeren Nich Richardson siger følgende om resultaterne:
"The latest research in our Q1 report shows the rise of esports gathering some real momentum. And as the popularity for esports continues to grow, we are seeing brands adopt these new digital spaces by investing large sums into sponsorship and endorsements. In fact, many physical sports teams are beginning to get involved in the esports arena."
"The IOC officially recognised esports as a sport in November and this could pave the way for both physical and virtual competitions to exist alongside each other. The growing popularity of esports provides many exciting opportunities for brands who are willing to be brave and bold enough to not only understand young people's behaviours but act on them."