The 2022 Commonwealth Games will witness the addition of a new category of “Esports” as a pilot event. The event is scheduled to take place at the International Convention Centre between 6-7 August. As stated by Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) executive board, the event will take place at the same time as Birmingham 2022 while being independent of the Games and its program.
As this is the first time, Esports is being added as a pilot event, no medals will be awarded. The event could be permanent if it could draw a large number of younger audiences to the games. Organizers of the event are hopeful that it does work out, and if so it could become an actual medal discipline in 2026.
“I am delighted that we are announcing the first Commonwealth esports championships and Commonwealth esports forum to take place in Birmingham this summer,” said CGF President, Dame Louise Martin. “Esports is continuing to grow dramatically in terms of popularity and participation, particularly amongst young people, and we are continuing to look at ways to explore how it can align with the Commonwealth Sports Movement.
“Commonwealth esports championships provide an excellent opportunity to pilot esports close to the Commonwealth Games. This will allow us to review the long-term relationship between the Commonwealth Games and esports as we continue to evolve and explore future editions of our event and what they could look like.”
There have been no details about the games that have been seen in the esports category. DOTA 2, the Valve developed MOBA, is expected to be one of the three titles featured in the esports trial at the Commonwealth Games.
