The dynamic landscape of UK esports is experiencing significant changes, marked by a mix of promising advancements and some concerning setbacks. While the recent closure of the Insomnia Gaming Festival has dealt a blow to grassroots esports across various games, other events and organizations are stepping up to fill the void.
Resilience Amidst Challenges
Despite the Insomnia Gaming Festival's closure, events like Epic.LAN and LANcraft are providing much-needed opportunities for LAN enthusiasts. The UK's competitive spirit remains unshaken, especially at the collegiate level, where organizations such as NSE and University Esports continue to nurture talent and host tournaments.
In the political arena, significant changes have also occurred. Following the 2024 general election, Labour came into power with Lisa Nandy taking the helm as the new culture secretary. This shift had an impact on the Video Games and Esports All-Party Parliamentary Group, which saw several members depart after the election.
A Glimpse into the Competitive Scene
Valorant remains a beacon of hope for UK esports fans. Recent changes in the Valorant Challengers esports scene have been announced for 2025, sparking optimism. Teams like Heretics have recognized UK talent, signing player Benjyfishy and enlisting UK coaches neilzinho and weber. Similarly, Team Liquid boasts UK players Keiko and Mistic, while Scottish coach DrewSpark is lending his expertise to Sentinels.
Across various titles, UK players are making their mark. Theo ‘Ticey’ Cranshaw is emerging as a promising player in Polaris, and Ross ‘aNguiSt’ Pendleton is leading CGN Esports in the DACH Evolution VCL. The British Esports Student Champs 2024 finals showcased fierce competition with Burnley Bees and CONEL facing off.
However, there are murmurs of the Northern Europe scene moving towards national leagues in Valorant, which could bring substantial changes to the competitive landscape.
Spotlight on Major Events
London has become a hub for major global esports events. The League of Legends community witnessed the MSI at the Copper Box Arena and the LoL Worlds finals at the O2. The return of the UKEL, the UK national league for League of Legends, further solidifies the nation's position in the esports world.
In the CS:GO scene, the launch of CS2 drew significant attention, with UK organizations Viperio and Into The Breach qualifying for the Blast Paris Major European RMR. Into the Breach, in particular, made an impressive run, reaching the top eight at the last major. The closure of the ESL Premiership for the UK and Ireland was a setback, but the UK & Ireland Circuit (UKIC) and Epic.LAN remain key LAN events for UK CS teams.
The Blast Premier Spring Final also took place in London, highlighting the city's growing reputation as a top-tier esports destination. Into the Breach has further strengthened its roster for 2024 by adding UK personality smooya, signaling their ambitions for the future.
Dota 2 fans have much to celebrate with Tundra Esports regularly participating in top events. OG’s Ari also showcased UK talent at ESL One Birmingham. Meanwhile, Noctem made headlines by qualifying for The Call of Duty Challengers Championship.
Voices from the Scene
The UK esports community is vocal about their aspirations and concerns. Synygy of the UKEL commented on the growing presence of esports events in the UK: "Expect to see more and more events happening in the UK, more regular activations and Riot presence at existing events, and continued direct support for our ecosystem."
However, there are concerns about the future of UK League of Legends. "Personally, I think UK LoL is going to completely die out," said Greggers, a UK ADC player. He emphasized the need for better funding and stronger team fan bases to drive viewership.
The cultural and marketing potential of UK esports is not lost on industry insiders. Alex Lyndon, an esports student at Staffordshire University, praised efforts like those of Ruddy for capitalizing on UK/London culture. "Calling on your team’s foundational cultures is such a good way to build a community that is loyal," he noted. Regarding the infrastructure for events and tourism, he added, "There’s HUGE opportunity for strengthening infrastructure for events and tourism."
The return of the UK League is a hope shared by many. Lee Routly, a former associate producer of the UKLC, expressed his desire for its comeback: "I hope to see the UK League return to the UK and see it once again given the space to grow."
Esports events like ESL One Birmingham have set a high standard, with UK caster ODPixel stating, "All the ESL One Birmingham’s have been amazing, the crowds have been amazing. I really hope this continues to be a yearly thing."
Gareth, another UK caster, highlighted the changing landscape of Dota 2, emphasizing the need for a stable prize distribution across multiple events rather than relying on a single, massive prize pool.
The sentiments are mixed among Call of Duty fans. Jacob Hale pointed out the challenges UK CoD faces with a dwindling number of national players and the league's preference for North America, leaving UK fans yearning for more local events.
As the esports landscape continues to evolve, the UK remains a significant player. With dedicated talent, supportive organizations, and an enthusiastic community, the future holds many possibilities for UK esports. The key lies in leveraging these strengths to build a sustainable and vibrant ecosystem.