The Biggest eSports Developments for 2023

2022 was a stellar year for the burgeoning eSports industry. Fans enjoyed a return to live eSports events after a couple of years of absence; we saw new games being ushered into the eSports pantheon, and new gaming tech made eSports experiences all the more immersive.

The expansion of eSports shows no sign of slowing, especially now that predictions for the value of the industry have shot up to as much as $5 billion before the end of the decade. Over the coming twelve months, there's plenty to look forward to, from new mainstream eSports gaming opportunities to one of the globe's biggest tournaments hitting UK shores.

There's also the expansion of eSports betting in the US to look forward to. Presently, eSports fans in several states can utilize promo codes from the likes of DraftKings to place wagers on their favorite teams. Come 2023, a new state will be entering the fray, providing even more opportunities to American eSports enthusiasts.

FIFA 23 eSports Ecosystem

Gamers playing EA's hit football simulator will be delighted to learn that the developer will be introducing a flagship tournament series for the 2023 edition of the hit game. The company recently unveiled new changes for the FIFA 23 Global Series, including the introduction of the EA Sports Cup in January.

Commencing last autumn, players from eSports organizations and football clubs competed in 2v2 events, which took place throughout several months of fixtures. Currently, Manchester City Esports, Fnatic, Complexity and Paris Saint-Germain Esports are just a handful of the teams set to compete in the cup, which will culminate on the 21st of January.

While January's event will be played exclusively on PlayStation 5 consoles, the build-up to the EA Sports Cup has seen several notable brands get involved. Over 30 partners and confederations have supported the events to date, including Uber Easts, eLaLiga Santander and the ePremier League.

Sony Expands its Grassroots Efforts

Speaking of the PlayStation, grassroots eSports will be getting a well-deserved boost from Sony through 2023 as the tech giant upgrades its "eSports-for-everyone" offering. PlayStation Tournaments will finally be available for access on its next-gen console, the PS5, and will include short-form tournaments that any player can join.

The system has also been given a much-needed makeover that will make it easier for gamers to find and join events. Players will be able to search for, track and stay up to date with tourneys and competitions using the newly revamped interface, which utilizes PS5 activity cards to deliver up-to-the-minute results. Plus, the new PS Tournaments Discord community hub promises to deliver gaming sessions, exclusive interviews and more.

Ohio to Open eSports Betting Markets

As of 1st January 2023, Ohio will join the likes of New Jersey and Pennsylvania in allowing residents to engage in mainstream eSports betting statewide.

Ohio became the latest US state to legalize the practice of real money wagering in 2022, and after several months of rollout, a number of sports betting operators have been granted licenses to go live at the dawn of the new year.

Around 25 remote gaming sites are expected to launch on the January 1st opening date, many of which will be offering popular eSports betting markets. Furthermore, increased in-person betting opportunities will be available thanks to the partnerships between betting operators and Ohio sports organizations.

The Invitational to Hit London Town?

The League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational is a major event that attracts the best of the best from around the globe. In 2023, it's likely that this flagship tournament will take place in London, after trusted sources revealed to Esports News UK that Riot Games plans to stage it in the UK's capital city.

This would signify a landmark moment in British eSports, since the UK is yet to host an official MSI LoL event. Previous host countries have included the US, China, Brazil, Germany and 2022's host, South Korea.

While Riot Games has yet to make any official announcement, rumors are already abounding that the event could well take place in the iconic Wembley Stadium. However, there are several other venues across the city that would be more than capable of hosting such a popular eSports event, such as the Copperbox Arena and the similarly celebrated O2 Arena.