Esports 2021 Review

It’s been a busy year in esports as we continue to build a strong network of esports contacts. Our Esports Advisor has been busy joining panels at some of the leading industry events, including our first in-person event at ESI London. Each conversation continues to help define and discuss the Isle of Man’s value proposition within the esports industry as we explore the potential for the Island to be a strategic location for esports growth. The interest gathered from these discussions with some of the biggest players in the space has been really rewarding and encouraging as we seek to build regulation and legislation to support a safe, workable and profitable industry.

Building the grassroots scene on the Island has remained a priority in 2021, and our Esports Advisor continues to support local groups and tournaments across the Island. We were very proud to sponsor the Isle of Man’s first professional esports org, X7 Esports, this year and watch the team go from strength to strength and compete globally. We have no doubt we’ll see great things from X7 in 2022.

The proposition continues to be supported by a number of local businesses looking to enter into the esports space and support and grow the industry on-island, including lawyers, CSP’s, hotel owners and startups. Earlier this year we held our first virtual ‘Understanding Esports’ event to help educate businesses on the ins and outs of everything related to esports, so we can all demonstrate an authentic knowledge of the industry and communicate effectively to promote the Island. We hope to continue these events throughout next year alongside a programme to upskill our Island’s businesses.

2022 is going to be an exciting year for our team as we will have two new hires in place to help drive our proposition, both of who have a genuine and credible voice in the global esports industry. Conversations with some of the most influential voices in esports will continue with the team aiming to fully document the industry’s regulatory needs by second half of the year.

Josh Kingett, Esports Executive, Digital Isle of Man