Esports (short for electronic sports) is organized, competitive video gaming where skilled players or teams compete against each other, often in front of large audiences and sometimes for prize money. Just as athletes train for basketball or soccer, esports competitors practice specific games for hours each day, developing lightning-fast reflexes, strategic thinking, and teamwork.

Popular esports games include League of Legends, Fortnite, Rocket League, and Super Smash Bros. Professional esports players compete in tournaments that can fill entire arenas with cheering fans, while millions more watch online. The largest tournaments offer prize pools worth millions of dollars, and top players become celebrities in the gaming world.

What makes something esports rather than just playing video games? It's the combination of organized competition, skill development, and an audience. When you play Minecraft with friends for fun, that's gaming. When professional teams compete in a Minecraft tournament with rules, referees, and spectators, that's esports.

The term combines “electronic” and “sports” because, like traditional sports, esports requires dedication, practice, strategy, and the ability to perform under pressure. Many schools now have esports teams that compete against other schools, similar to debate teams or chess clubs. While esports players sit at computers instead of running on fields, the mental demands, teamwork, and competitive spirit mirror traditional athletics.