Virtual reality (VR) technology is helping to transform numerous industries in various ways. It’s also creating far more immersive and engaging viewing experiences for millions of people worldwide.
Esports events (professional video game competitions) are also now more popular than ever in terms of active participation and viewership/spectatorship.
People today can watch Esports events live [in person] at various arenas where these events take place, or they can watch live across the internet on various trusted video sharing and live streaming platforms.
Most Esports enthusiasts who tune in to watch these tournaments, leagues, and competitions do so using a Wi-Fi/internet-connected smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop computer, gaming console, or smart TV.
However, in recent years, fans have shifted away from using traditional devices to watch their favourite Esports and teams and have started using VR headsets.
The question being asked here is, ‘will VR be a key development in the Esports industry for spectatorship?’ Before we answer this question, let’s take a closer look at what exactly eSports are.
Further down, we will also be revealing some of the biggest Esports competitions that are still to come in 2025.
What are Esports?
Esports (electronic sports) events are competitive, well-organised leagues, tournaments or competitions where individuals or teams of players compete against each other playing some of the gaming industry’s most famous video games using various consoles, mobile devices or PCs.
These events take place across the world at various land-based venues, and players of various skill levels compete against each other for regional and/or global ranking positions/points, cash prizes, other real-world prizes, trophies/medals, recognition and serious bragging rights.
Some Esports competitions don’t take place at land-based arenas. Instead, they are hosted on various trusted gaming platforms, which can be accessed by players/viewers using any decent-working, Wi-Fi/internet-connected PC, console or mobile device.
VR headsets can also now be used to access live or on-demand Esports events on various websites.
This entire sector of the digital entertainment industry is built around the concept of competition, and people generally take part in Esports competitions to be the world’s best player in a specific game and/or genre.
Esports competitions encompass a variety of games/genres, including FPS (first-person shooters), sports simulation, fighting games, multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs), and many others.
These events have well-established schedules, rules, and prize structures, and some of the biggest events have multi-million-dollar prize pools to play for.
Thanks to advertising and sponsorship deals, the money that can be made from professional Esports has seen a sharp rise in professional coaches, players (individuals and teams), franchises/organisations, and official governing bodies in various regions.
Today’s safest iGaming platforms that are legally permitted to offer real money betting services and live dealer online casino games, such as the official 10CRIC live casino website, also now provide numerous betting markets with highly competitive odds for the Esports sector’s biggest events.
Unlike most sporting events, where athletes must be physically fit or can only participate in events based on their gender or age, Esports is far more diverse. Events are generally open to all and can involve mixed genders, regardless of an individual’s physical state, mental ability, or age.
Will VR be a key development in the Esports industry for spectatorship?
According to many experts who follow the Esports sector and VR developments closely, yes, VR technology has a huge potential to completely revolutionise the viewing experience for spectators (and even the players who take part in these events).
Virtual reality technology provides fans with a far more immersive, engaging, and interactive experience, which significantly enhances the way Esports fans watch their favourite players.
Although the integration of VR technology in Esports is still in the very early stages, VR’s current capabilities and its ability to put fans closer to the action in such a unique way hint that it could very well be the future of Esports viewing.
Other associated technologies that could also revolutionise the spectator experience include ground-breaking developments in metaverse integration and haptic technology, faster internet speeds, more advanced computer coding/programming languages, cloud gaming/computing technology, and live streaming capabilities, to name a few.
Haptic technology will also allow people (players and spectators) to feel various sensations around their body, such as the impact of a collision, being touched, the recoil of a weapon, and so on, which massively enhances the immersive experience.
Over the coming years, we will likely see more fans and players using wearable VR devices to play/watch the world’s biggest Esports competitions.
What are the best VR headsets for watching Esports events?
Some of the best VR headsets currently on the market that enable users to enjoy more immersive gaming experiences and will no doubt soon be used to enjoy Esports competitions are the following:
- Apple Vision Pro
- Meta Quest 3
- Meta Quest Pro
- Sony PlayStation VR2
- Valve Index VR Kit
- HTC Vive Pro 2
- Meta Quest 3S
Although the prices are coming down, one of the challenges that still presents a problem is the typical high cost associated with VR devices, which means it will take longer for the widespread adoption and integration of VR Esports tournaments for spectators.
However, the potential for VR to completely revolutionise the viewing experience for Esports fans across the world is undeniable.
The technology is constantly evolving, becoming cheaper for consumers, and is gradually becoming more widely adopted, and we will likely see more fans over the coming years using VR headsets to watch their favourite Esports events.
Final thoughts
If you are keen to watch one of these events unfold, the good news is that there are plenty more Esports competitions still to come in 2025.
If you are a fan of the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 game and want to see the world’s top players battling it out playing this game, don’t forget to check out the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh.
You also have the Intel Extreme Masters Cologne 2025 event, which involves the Counter-Strike 2 video game, The International 2025 (Dota 2), The FNCS 2025 Global Championship (Fortnite), and the HCS 2025: Salt Lake City Major (Halo Infinite).
In other competitions, you can watch the pros playing various other hit titles, such as League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Overwatch 2, PUBG Mobile, Rocket League, Valorant, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, to name a few.
