Could London be the world's new Esports and gaming capital? - CGTN

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In 2026, the global video game industry is predicted to generate $578 billion.

The UK already has a reputation for being at the forefront of game development, with the city of Dundee the birthplace of titles like Grand Theft Auto and Minecraft.

Now London is trying to position itself as the new global capital for hosting competitive Esports and gaming events.

Once a niche pastime, Esports and gaming is now firmly embedded in the mainstream and its influence is being felt in areas as diverse as education, defense and social care. 

The gaming industry generates nearly $12 billion for the UK economy. /CGTN

Earlier this year, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he wanted his city to become the global capital of competitive video gaming – and Chester King, President of the Esports Federation, says it's a no-brainer to see London as an esports and gaming hub.

"London is a hub for many e-cultural and sporting events and esports is just an evolution," he tells CGTN. "We've had a good track record so far we've had some huge events… it is becoming part of the fabric – people are playing Esports, they're playing sport. 

"It's part of pop culture, it's part of everything so there's an evolution. And there's a lot happening in military use – getting the best gaming talent coming in to work in defense, in cyber, in drone. We've got a huge tournament in October where we've got 10 countries in military Esports."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (second left) wants his city to become the global capital of competitive video gaming. /CGTN

The gaming industry generates nearly $12 billion for the UK economy. Khan says he wants to boost this industry not only by hosting massive competitive gaming events, but also by helping people find a career in an industry that already employs more than 73,000 across the country.

And it may not end there, because Nathan David – Head of Undergraduate Studies at London's University Campus of Esports – says the skills acquired in gaming can be used in all sorts of jobs.

"The idea is that we teach transferable skills through the lens of our students' passion – and our students' passion is Esports and games," he tells CGTN. 

"Traditional skills or transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, working under pressure – all of these skills that will ultimately make them employable, but they just learn those through their passion."

That passion for Esports and gaming has seen a resurgence in the popularity of gaming cafes.

The London mayor has highlighted the importance of gaming at such hubs and in community youth clubs as a way of giving young people more access to Esports and technology. 

A passion for Esports and gaming has seen a resurgence in the popularity of gaming cafes. /CGTN

New Meta London styles itself as the capital's home of Esports and gaming. Its co-owner Zharion Henry Mitchell says that building up the grassroots of gaming was arguably more important than the elite level.

"We're beginning to ramp up – especially with the grassroots, lower-tier level – Esports events and community events at our venue," he tells CGTN. "This is going into our wider focus of saying we want to focus more on grassroot Esports with our events, our community and bringing people together, especially after Covid. 

"We think it's really important to get people into physical spaces, having fun and communicating with people that they relate to."

A new City Hall-commissioned report titled "London's Esports Opportunity" set out Sadiq Khan's ambition to boost both the elite side of gaming and the grassroots level.

If the London mayor can follow through on the promises made in that report, his dream of making the city the world's Esports capital may well be realized.