Esports originated in the United States in the 1970s. Since then, this always-controversial sports practice has crossed the seas and found its place here in the 2000s. Esports, or electronic sports, is essentially a competition of video games where opponents are positioned behind a screen and play using their joystick or keyboard. It encompasses various genres such as sports, strategy games, and racing games. Over time, esports has become a genuine sporting and cultural attraction for the new generations, and Luxembourg is determined to give it a place of its own.
What is esports?
According to the International Olympic Committee, esports could be considered a sports activity as long as players train for more than eight hours a day. Esports, also known as electronic gaming, refers to the practice of competitive video gaming. It can involve individual players or teams competing against each other. Some of the most popular games that have championship-like tournaments include:
- Star Craft ;
- Call of Duty ;
- FIFA ;
- League of Legends.
Competitions, whether national or international, are becoming increasingly numerous. Today, there are esports stars, and these competitions have become true sporting events that attract a large number of visitors and online spectators. The first esports tournament took place in 1997, gathering 300 opponents around the game Quake and was organized by the Cyberathlete Professional League.
How did esports gain momentum in Luxembourg?
Esports slowly established itself in Luxembourg. Between 1998 and 2010, a significant number of LAN Parties were organized.
In 2011, Luxembourg opened the first Online Gaming Forum, which brought together more than 250 participants. The second edition in 2012 moved from RTL premises in Kirchberg to Luxexpo.
These events gained increasing momentum, and esports enthusiasts strongly desired recognition to raise awareness of the world of electronic gaming among the general public.
To respond to this growing enthusiasm, the first Luxembourgish Gaming Experience (LGX) expo opened its doors in 2016 in Mondorf-les-Bains, attracting more than 2,500 visitors. This was the first step towards esports festivals.
Over time, LGX grew in size, quadrupled its exhibition area, and organized tournaments for the most popular games, with prizes reaching up to 15,000 euros.
In 2020, the first dedicated esports league, the Post Esport League, was organized. Three games were represented: League of Legends, FIFA 20, and Clash Royale. This event attracted more than 400 participants and no fewer than 15,000 virtual visitors.
In June 2020, the new Luxembourgish Federation of Electronic Sports was established, and a few months later, it became a member of the International Esports Federation.
In 2021, a Luxembourgish athlete participated for the first time in an international esports championship and finished in fifth place.
After intense negotiations amid controversies, a second esports federation, the Luxembourgish Federation of Esport (FLES), was founded in 2021. Its mission is to:
- Bring together different gaming and esports stakeholders ;
- Provide a communication platform ;
- Promote esports ;
- Provide all necessary information to interested individuals ;
- Serve as an engaged interlocutor with the authorities.
Luxembourg is likely the only country today with two esports federations. Every effort is being made to support the stars of our country in becoming true international champions and, why not, win the future gold medal at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. There is a genuine willingness in Luxembourg to establish a framework for player protection, complete with appropriate status and contracts.
